Go
A supermarket clerk decides to step in for an absent drug dealer, setting off an explosive, comedic chain of events.
Despite its modest budget of $6.5M, Go became a box office success, earning $28.5M worldwide—a 338% return. The film's unconventional structure engaged audiences, confirming that strong storytelling can transcend budget limitations.
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%)
Go (1999) showcases deliberately positioned dramatic framework, characteristic of Doug Liman's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 12-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 42 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.2, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Ronna works her grocery store checkout shift, broke and desperate, facing eviction from her apartment.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Simon offers to sell Ronna his shift, but she needs money. Two soap opera actors approach asking for ecstasy, presenting an opportunity.. 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 25 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to Ronna actively chooses to impersonate a drug dealer, taking pills from Todd and committing to the dangerous deal with the soap actors., moving from reaction to action.
At 52 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 51% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat Ronna realizes the soap actors are working with police. The simple drug deal has become a police sting operation, raising stakes dramatically., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 77 minutes (76% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Ronna is hit by a car in the parking lot and appears dead, representing the ultimate consequence of reckless choices and desperation., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 82 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 81% of the runtime. Resolution of all plot threads: Todd gets his money, Simon reconciles consequences, characters reunite having survived their chaotic choices., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Go's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 12 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping Go against these established plot points, we can identify how Doug Liman utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Go within the crime genre.
Doug Liman's Structural Approach
Among the 11 Doug Liman films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.0, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. Go represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Doug Liman filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional crime films include The Bad Guys, Batman Forever and 12 Rounds. For more Doug Liman analyses, see Jumper, The Bourne Identity and Chaos Walking.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Ronna works her grocery store checkout shift, broke and desperate, facing eviction from her apartment.
Theme
Claire warns about consequences: "You can't just do whatever you want." Theme of choices and their ripple effects across interconnected lives.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of the rave scene world, grocery store workers, drug culture, and financial desperation of young LA service workers.
Disruption
Simon offers to sell Ronna his shift, but she needs money. Two soap opera actors approach asking for ecstasy, presenting an opportunity.
Resistance
Ronna debates taking Simon's dealer role, recruits Claire and Manny, negotiates with Todd the drug dealer, navigating this dangerous new territory.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Ronna actively chooses to impersonate a drug dealer, taking pills from Todd and committing to the dangerous deal with the soap actors.
Premise
Multiple storylines unfold: Ronna's drug deal complications, Simon's Vegas chaos, Adam and Zack's entrapment setup, exploring consequences of impulsive choices.
Midpoint
Ronna realizes the soap actors are working with police. The simple drug deal has become a police sting operation, raising stakes dramatically.
Opposition
All storylines intensify: Ronna evades police while Todd hunts her, Simon faces Vegas criminals, Adam and Zack endure Burke's bizarre manipulation.
Collapse
Ronna is hit by a car in the parking lot and appears dead, representing the ultimate consequence of reckless choices and desperation.
Crisis
Characters process their darkest moments: Claire believes Ronna is dead, Simon faces violence, Adam confronts his compromised integrity.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Resolution of all plot threads: Todd gets his money, Simon reconciles consequences, characters reunite having survived their chaotic choices.