For Richer or Poorer
Brad Sexton and his wife, Caroline, are wealthy New Yorkers with both marital and financial problems. The latter issue becomes a pressing matter when they discover that their accountant has embezzled millions and pinned the blame on them. Forced to go on the lam, Brad and Caroline end up in an Amish area of Pennsylvania and decide to pose as members of the religious group to evade the IRS. As the two adapt to the simple Amish lifestyle, they begin to reconnect.
The film disappointed at the box office against its moderate budget of $35.0M, earning $31.6M globally (-10% loss).
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%)
For Richer or Poorer (1997) demonstrates meticulously timed narrative architecture, characteristic of Bryan Spicer's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 11-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 55 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.3, the film takes an unconventional approach to traditional narrative frameworks.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Brad and Caroline Sexton live in a Manhattan penthouse with enormous wealth but a hollow marriage. They're preparing for a lavish party, bickering constantly, showing they have everything money can buy but no genuine connection.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 14 minutes when The IRS raids their party, revealing that their accountant has embezzled millions and framed them for tax evasion. They face immediate arrest and the loss of everything, forcing them to flee.. At 12% 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 29 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to Car trouble in Amish country forces them to seek shelter. They make the active choice to pose as visiting Amish relatives (the Yoders) to hide from authorities, entering a world completely opposite to their own., moving from reaction to action.
The Collapse moment at 86 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Their true identities are exposed to the Yoders and the Amish community. The people who showed them unconditional kindness now feel betrayed. Brad and Caroline lose the sanctuary they've found and face the death of their chance at redemption and transformation., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 92 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. The Sextons work to prove their innocence, utilizing their business acumen combined with their newfound integrity. They reconcile with the Amish community, demonstrate their transformation, and resolve both their legal troubles and their marriage., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
For Richer or Poorer's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 11 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping For Richer or Poorer against these established plot points, we can identify how Bryan Spicer utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish For Richer or Poorer within the comedy genre.
Bryan Spicer's Structural Approach
Among the 2 Bryan Spicer films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.8, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. For Richer or Poorer takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Bryan Spicer filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Bryan Spicer analyses, see Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Brad and Caroline Sexton live in a Manhattan penthouse with enormous wealth but a hollow marriage. They're preparing for a lavish party, bickering constantly, showing they have everything money can buy but no genuine connection.
Theme
During the party preparations, a guest or employee makes a comment about what really matters in life not being material possessions, hinting at the deeper values of family and authenticity that the Sextons lack.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of the Sextons' superficial, materialistic lifestyle in New York high society. Their marriage is a facade, they throw extravagant parties, and their relationship is built on appearances rather than love. Brad runs a real estate empire while Caroline obsesses over social status.
Disruption
The IRS raids their party, revealing that their accountant has embezzled millions and framed them for tax evasion. They face immediate arrest and the loss of everything, forcing them to flee.
Resistance
Brad and Caroline go on the run, debating their options while trying to evade the authorities. They argue about whose fault this is, whether to turn themselves in, and how to survive. They reluctantly stay together because they need each other to escape.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Car trouble in Amish country forces them to seek shelter. They make the active choice to pose as visiting Amish relatives (the Yoders) to hide from authorities, entering a world completely opposite to their own.
Premise
The fish-out-of-water comedy as spoiled Manhattan socialites struggle with manual labor, no electricity, chamber pots, and communal living. Humorous failures at farming, cooking, and fitting in with the simple Amish lifestyle deliver the premise's comic promise.
Opposition
The IRS and authorities close in on their location. Simultaneously, Brad and Caroline's old habits resurface, causing friction with each other and the Amish community. Their deception becomes harder to maintain as they're pressed to make deeper commitments to Amish life.
Collapse
Their true identities are exposed to the Yoders and the Amish community. The people who showed them unconditional kindness now feel betrayed. Brad and Caroline lose the sanctuary they've found and face the death of their chance at redemption and transformation.
Crisis
Brad and Caroline, now separated and facing capture, reflect on what they've learned. They realize the Amish community gave them something they never had in their wealthy life: authenticity, purpose, and genuine love. They must decide who they want to be.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
The Sextons work to prove their innocence, utilizing their business acumen combined with their newfound integrity. They reconcile with the Amish community, demonstrate their transformation, and resolve both their legal troubles and their marriage.