Greedy
Uncle Joe is ageing. He's also a millionaire. That's why his family is trying so very hard to get into his good books. They all want a piece of his empire. Unfortunately Uncle Joe isn't as stupid as his family thinks he is. He can see that his family is only nice to him because they want his money. Along comes Daniel McTeague, a struggling bowler, imported from another city by his family, to put an end to this ridiculous situation. The fight won't be easy, though, because the poor family has a little bit of competition - A beautiful nurse who takes care of Uncle Joe (and no doubt would love to take care of his bank account). Who gets all the money?
The film earned $13.1M at the global box office.
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%)
Greedy (1994) exemplifies strategically placed plot construction, characteristic of Jonathan Lynn's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 11-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 53 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.7, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 2 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Danny McTeague lives a modest but honest life as a working professional, separate from his dysfunctional extended family who are obsessed with wealthy Uncle Joe's fortune.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when Uncle Joe hires Molly Richardson as his private nurse, and she begins to get close to him romantically, threatening the family's inheritance plans and sending them into panic mode.. 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 28 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to Danny agrees to move in with Uncle Joe, crossing into the world of family politics and greed. He makes the active choice to get involved, ostensibly to protect Joe but joining the conspiracy nonetheless., moving from reaction to action.
The Collapse moment at 84 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Uncle Joe discovers Danny's betrayal and complicity in the family's scheme. Danny loses Joe's trust and respect - the death of their genuine relationship and Danny's integrity. He's fully become one of the greedy relatives., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 90 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Danny confronts the family and Uncle Joe with the truth, advocating for Molly and Joe's happiness. The family's schemes are exposed and they face the consequences of their greed. Danny earns back his integrity if not the inheritance., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Greedy'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 Greedy against these established plot points, we can identify how Jonathan Lynn utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Greedy within the comedy genre.
Jonathan Lynn's Structural Approach
Among the 7 Jonathan Lynn films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.0, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. Greedy takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Jonathan Lynn filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Jonathan Lynn analyses, see Clue, The Whole Nine Yards and Sgt. Bilko.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Danny McTeague lives a modest but honest life as a working professional, separate from his dysfunctional extended family who are obsessed with wealthy Uncle Joe's fortune.
Theme
A family member comments on how money changes people and brings out their worst nature, establishing the central theme of greed versus integrity.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to the McTeague family dynamics: various greedy relatives circling Uncle Joe, each angling for inheritance position. Uncle Joe is established as sharp-minded despite his age, and the family's opportunistic nature is on full display.
Disruption
Uncle Joe hires Molly Richardson as his private nurse, and she begins to get close to him romantically, threatening the family's inheritance plans and sending them into panic mode.
Resistance
The family debates how to handle the Molly situation and reluctantly decides to recruit Danny, Uncle Joe's favorite nephew, to move in and protect their interests. Danny resists, not wanting to be part of their schemes.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Danny agrees to move in with Uncle Joe, crossing into the world of family politics and greed. He makes the active choice to get involved, ostensibly to protect Joe but joining the conspiracy nonetheless.
Premise
Danny navigates life in Uncle Joe's mansion, dealing with the family's escalating schemes, getting to know Molly, and slowly being corrupted by proximity to wealth. Comic set pieces of family greed and manipulation play out.
Opposition
The family's greed intensifies and they pressure Danny for more results. Danny's conscience battles his complicity. Uncle Joe becomes suspicious of everyone's motives, including Danny's. Molly distances herself from the toxic situation.
Collapse
Uncle Joe discovers Danny's betrayal and complicity in the family's scheme. Danny loses Joe's trust and respect - the death of their genuine relationship and Danny's integrity. He's fully become one of the greedy relatives.
Crisis
Danny faces the darkness of what he's become and what he's lost. He reflects on how money corrupted him just like everyone else, processing his moral failure and the loss of Joe's respect.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Danny confronts the family and Uncle Joe with the truth, advocating for Molly and Joe's happiness. The family's schemes are exposed and they face the consequences of their greed. Danny earns back his integrity if not the inheritance.