Head of State
One candidate for the presidency dies in an accident a couple of weeks before the election. Meanwhile the alderman Mays Gilliam becomes a hero when he rescues a woman and her cat from an old house that would blow up. However his fiancee Kim does not pay his bills and dumps him, and Gilliam loses everything including his fancy car. When Senator Bill Arnot sees the news on television, he plots a scheme with the party advisors Martin Geller and Debra Lassiter to invite Mays to be the party nominee and lose the election for the other candidate, Vice-President Brian Lewis. Four years later, he would be the candidate and would have the chance of winning the election. Mays has a terrible beginning of campaign but when his older brother Mitch Gilliam meets him in Chicago, he advises Mays to be himself. Will he have the chance to be the first African American President of the USA?
Working with a mid-range budget of $35.2M, the film achieved a modest success with $37.8M in global revenue (+7% 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%)
Head of State (2003) reveals deliberately positioned plot construction, characteristic of Chris Rock's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 35 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.6, the film showcases strong structural fundamentals.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Mays Gilliam works as a Washington D.C. Alderman, a small-time politician dealing with local neighborhood issues like saving a community center. He's a good man doing thankless work in an unglamorous position.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 11 minutes when The Democratic presidential candidate and running mate die in a plane crash. Political strategist Martin Geller needs a replacement candidate quickly, seeking someone who will lose so the party can rebuild for the next election.. 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 23 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to Mays accepts the nomination and delivers his acceptance speech. He actively chooses to run for president, entering the world of national politics despite knowing he's being used. This is his point of no return., moving from reaction to action.
At 47 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 49% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat Mays decides to stop following the handlers' script and starts campaigning his own way—speaking bluntly about real issues, connecting with ordinary people, being himself. The polls begin to shift in his favor. False victory: he thinks authenticity is enough., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 70 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, A scandal or major attack threatens to derail Mays's campaign completely. His credibility is questioned, his support wavers, and it appears his presidential run is over. The dream of actually winning dies. Mays faces the reality that authenticity might not be enough against the political machine., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 76 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Mays has a realization: he needs to combine his authentic voice with smart strategy. He synthesizes what Lisa taught him about staying true to himself with tactical awareness. He gains new information or perspective that allows him to re-enter the fight with clarity and purpose., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Head of State's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping Head of State against these established plot points, we can identify how Chris Rock utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Head of State within the comedy genre.
Chris Rock's Structural Approach
Among the 3 Chris Rock films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.0, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. Head of State represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Chris Rock filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Chris Rock analyses, see Top Five, I Think I Love My Wife.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Mays Gilliam works as a Washington D.C. alderman, a small-time politician dealing with local neighborhood issues like saving a community center. He's a good man doing thankless work in an unglamorous position.
Theme
Mays's brother Mitch comments on politics and authenticity: "You gotta be who you are." This theme of staying true to yourself versus playing politics will drive the story.
Worldbuilding
Establishing Mays's ordinary world: his dedication to his community, his relationship with girlfriend Kim, his bond with brother Mitch, and his earnest but ineffective approach to politics. We see the political establishment and media landscape he'll later navigate.
Disruption
The Democratic presidential candidate and running mate die in a plane crash. Political strategist Martin Geller needs a replacement candidate quickly, seeking someone who will lose so the party can rebuild for the next election.
Resistance
Geller and the party insiders debate who to run, settling on Mays as a sacrificial candidate—the first Black presidential nominee who they expect will lose gracefully. Mays initially hesitates, debates whether to accept, and considers what it means. His community and brother encourage him.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Mays accepts the nomination and delivers his acceptance speech. He actively chooses to run for president, entering the world of national politics despite knowing he's being used. This is his point of no return.
Mirror World
Mays reconnects with Lisa Clark, a smart campaign worker who believes in authentic politics and encourages him to be himself. She represents the thematic counterpoint: sincerity versus political calculation. Their relationship subplot begins.
Premise
The "fun and games" of the campaign: Mays follows the party handlers' scripted, bland approach and polls terribly. He awkwardly navigates debates, press conferences, and photo ops. The comedy comes from watching a regular guy thrust into presidential politics.
Midpoint
Mays decides to stop following the handlers' script and starts campaigning his own way—speaking bluntly about real issues, connecting with ordinary people, being himself. The polls begin to shift in his favor. False victory: he thinks authenticity is enough.
Opposition
As Mays rises in the polls, the opposition intensifies. Republican candidate Brian Lewis attacks harder. The party establishment panics and tries to control Mays. The media scrutinizes him. His relationship with Lisa deepens but faces pressure. His unorthodox style creates controversy.
Collapse
A scandal or major attack threatens to derail Mays's campaign completely. His credibility is questioned, his support wavers, and it appears his presidential run is over. The dream of actually winning dies. Mays faces the reality that authenticity might not be enough against the political machine.
Crisis
Mays retreats and considers quitting. He processes the collapse with Mitch and Lisa. Dark night of doubt: can a regular person really change the system? Is he naive to think authenticity matters in politics? He must decide whether to give up or find a new way forward.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Mays has a realization: he needs to combine his authentic voice with smart strategy. He synthesizes what Lisa taught him about staying true to himself with tactical awareness. He gains new information or perspective that allows him to re-enter the fight with clarity and purpose.
Synthesis
The final push: Mays executes his plan with renewed energy. He confronts his opponent in a final debate or public forum, speaking truth to power while using what he's learned. The community rallies. Mitch contributes. Lisa stands by him. Election night arrives with the outcome uncertain but Mays having already won by staying true to himself.
Transformation
The closing image shows Mays transformed: whether he wins the election or not, he's changed the conversation and proven that authenticity can matter in politics. He's no longer the small-time alderman from the opening—he's a national figure who stayed true to himself. His relationship with Lisa is resolved, and his impact is clear.