Fool's Gold
Treasure hunter Ben "Finn" Finnegan has sunk his marriage to Tess and his trusty boat in his obsessive quest to find the legendary Queen's Dowry. When he finds a vital clue that may finally pinpoint the treasure's whereabouts, he drags Tess and her boss, billionaire Nigel Honeycutt, along on the hunt. But Finn is not the only one interested in the gold; his former mentor-turned-enemy Moe Fitch, hired by rapper-turned-gangster Bigg Bunny, will stop at nothing to beat him to it.
Working with a moderate budget of $70.0M, the film achieved a respectable showing with $111.2M in global revenue (+59% profit margin).
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Fool's Gold (2008) reveals carefully calibrated narrative architecture, characteristic of Andy Tennant's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 52 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.4, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Benjamin "Finn" Finnegan
Tess Finnegan
Nigel Honeycutt
Gemma Honeycutt
Moe Fitch
Bigg Bunny
Main Cast & Characters
Benjamin "Finn" Finnegan
Played by Matthew McConaughey
A charismatic treasure hunter obsessed with finding the legendary Queen's Dowry, whose impulsive nature leads to his divorce.
Tess Finnegan
Played by Kate Hudson
Finn's ex-wife and former partner in treasure hunting, now working as a steward on a yacht, trying to move on with her life.
Nigel Honeycutt
Played by Donald Sutherland
A wealthy British businessman and treasure hunting enthusiast who funds Finn's expedition after hearing his story.
Gemma Honeycutt
Played by Alexis Dziena
Nigel's airheaded, superficial daughter who develops an attraction to Finn and seeks adventure.
Moe Fitch
Played by Ray Winstone
A ruthless gangster and Finn's former partner who is also searching for the treasure and willing to use violence.
Bigg Bunny
Played by Kevin Hart
Moe's violent, trigger-happy henchman who provides comic relief with his over-the-top aggression.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 2 minutes (2% through the runtime) establishes Finn searches wreckage of his boat after explosion, obsessed with treasure despite losing everything. Establishes his character flaw: prioritizing dreams over reality and relationships.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Finn discovers crucial clue to treasure location - a plate fragment with inscription that reveals where the Queen's Dowry went down. The impossible dream suddenly becomes possible.. At 11% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 27 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to Tess actively chooses to join the treasure hunt despite divorce being finalized. She commits to one last adventure, entering the "new world" of rekindled partnership with Finn., moving from reaction to action.
At 55 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 49% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat They discover major breakthrough - location of treasure cave. False victory: they're close to treasure and getting close romantically, but Moe's gang is also closing in. Stakes raise significantly., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 82 minutes (73% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Moe captures them and takes control of treasure location. Finn's obsession has now endangered everyone including Tess and the Nigel family. Apparent death of the dream and relationship., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 88 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Finn and Tess synthesize treasure knowledge with their partnership skills. They realize working together - combining passion WITH responsibility - is the answer. New resolve to act., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Fool's Gold's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping Fool's Gold against these established plot points, we can identify how Andy Tennant utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Fool's Gold within the adventure genre.
Andy Tennant's Structural Approach
Among the 8 Andy Tennant films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.2, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Fool's Gold represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Andy Tennant filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional adventure films include The Black Stallion, The Bad Guys and Puss in Boots. For more Andy Tennant analyses, see Hitch, It Takes Two and Fools Rush In.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Finn searches wreckage of his boat after explosion, obsessed with treasure despite losing everything. Establishes his character flaw: prioritizing dreams over reality and relationships.
Theme
Tess tells divorce judge she loved Finn's passion but he became consumed by fantasy. Theme stated: balancing dreams with reality, passion with responsibility.
Worldbuilding
Finn and Tess finalize divorce. Tess takes job on wealthy Nigel's yacht. Finn remains obsessed with finding Queen's Dowry treasure. Establishes their broke, separated status and competing priorities.
Disruption
Finn discovers crucial clue to treasure location - a plate fragment with inscription that reveals where the Queen's Dowry went down. The impossible dream suddenly becomes possible.
Resistance
Finn convinces Nigel and his daughter to fund expedition. Tess resists getting pulled back into Finn's treasure obsession. Moe (mentor/antagonist) also seeks treasure with violent criminals.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Tess actively chooses to join the treasure hunt despite divorce being finalized. She commits to one last adventure, entering the "new world" of rekindled partnership with Finn.
Mirror World
Finn and Tess work together underwater searching for treasure, rediscovering their chemistry and partnership. Their relationship subplot begins - what they need vs. what they want.
Premise
Fun treasure hunting adventure: diving, decoding clues, following historical leads, romantic tension rekindling. The promise of the premise - adventure, romance, and treasure hunting excitement.
Midpoint
They discover major breakthrough - location of treasure cave. False victory: they're close to treasure and getting close romantically, but Moe's gang is also closing in. Stakes raise significantly.
Opposition
Moe's violent crew pursues them. Nigel's daughter creates complications. Trust issues resurface between Finn and Tess. External threats and internal conflicts intensify as they get closer to treasure.
Collapse
Moe captures them and takes control of treasure location. Finn's obsession has now endangered everyone including Tess and the Nigel family. Apparent death of the dream and relationship.
Crisis
Held captive, Finn and Tess face failure and potential death. Dark night reflecting on how obsession nearly destroyed everything. Must find way to save themselves and stop Moe.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Finn and Tess synthesize treasure knowledge with their partnership skills. They realize working together - combining passion WITH responsibility - is the answer. New resolve to act.
Synthesis
Final confrontation with Moe in treasure cave. Action finale where Finn and Tess work as team, save hostages, recover treasure, and defeat villains through partnership not solo obsession.
Transformation
Finn and Tess reunited on boat, sailing together with treasure shared with museum. Transformed: Finn balances passion with responsibility, they're partners in both adventure and life.