Good Day, Ramon
After five failed attempts to go to the United States, 18-year-old Ramón decides to look for a friend’s aunt in Germany, but never finds her. With no papers or money, and without knowing the language, he barely survives living on the street until he meets Ruth, an old retired nurse who doesn’t speak Spanish. Beyond language barriers and prejudices, they discover that solidarity and humanity make life bearable.
Working with a tight budget of $4.0M, the film achieved a steady performer with $5.1M in global revenue (+28% 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%)
Good Day, Ramon (2013) reveals meticulously timed narrative design, characteristic of Jorge Ramírez Suárez's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 11-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 59 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.7, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Ramón struggles in poverty in rural Mexico, working odd jobs to support his mother and girlfriend, dreaming of a better life but trapped in economic hopelessness.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 15 minutes when Ramón decides to attempt illegal immigration to the United States, paying a coyote to smuggle him across the border, leaving behind his mother and girlfriend.. 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 reveals the protagonist's commitment to Ramón arrives in Germany - cold, winter-locked, and utterly foreign. He has no money, no language skills, no legal status, and no way home. He actively chooses to survive rather than surrender., moving from reaction to action.
The Collapse moment at 89 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Ruth dies peacefully, with Ramón at her side. The only person who saw him as fully human, who bridged the gap between worlds, is gone. Ramón faces complete isolation once more., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 95 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Ramón integrates into the German community with Ruth's friends' support. He begins the process of legal residency, secures work, and sends money home to Mexico. He honors Ruth's memory by living the life she helped him build., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Good Day, Ramon's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 11 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping Good Day, Ramon against these established plot points, we can identify how Jorge Ramírez Suárez utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Good Day, Ramon within the drama genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional drama films include Eye for an Eye, South Pacific and Kiss of the Spider Woman.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Ramón struggles in poverty in rural Mexico, working odd jobs to support his mother and girlfriend, dreaming of a better life but trapped in economic hopelessness.
Theme
Ramón's mother tells him that "kindness crosses all borders" - suggesting that human compassion transcends nationality, language, and circumstance.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of Ramón's life in Mexico: his relationship with his girlfriend, his ailing mother, the lack of opportunities, and the desperation that drives young men to seek work abroad.
Disruption
Ramón decides to attempt illegal immigration to the United States, paying a coyote to smuggle him across the border, leaving behind his mother and girlfriend.
Resistance
Ramón's journey through the border crossing fails when he's abandoned by smugglers. Stranded and desperate, he makes his way to a Texas bus station and uses his last money to buy a ticket to what he thinks is "Germany, Texas" but is actually Germany the country.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Ramón arrives in Germany - cold, winter-locked, and utterly foreign. He has no money, no language skills, no legal status, and no way home. He actively chooses to survive rather than surrender.
Premise
Ramón navigates survival in Germany: sleeping in public spaces, scavenging food, learning basic German words. Ruth gradually becomes his protector and friend, teaching him the language and introducing him to her world despite their differences.
Opposition
Immigration authorities become aware of Ramón. Ruth's health deteriorates. The bond between them deepens, but external pressures mount: the threat of deportation, Ruth's frailty, and the impossibility of their situation converge.
Collapse
Ruth dies peacefully, with Ramón at her side. The only person who saw him as fully human, who bridged the gap between worlds, is gone. Ramón faces complete isolation once more.
Crisis
Ramón grieves Ruth, processes the profound gift of her compassion, and contemplates his future. He is alone again, undocumented, vulnerable - but fundamentally changed by what he experienced.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Ramón integrates into the German community with Ruth's friends' support. He begins the process of legal residency, secures work, and sends money home to Mexico. He honors Ruth's memory by living the life she helped him build.