Heartbreakers
Max and Page are a brilliant mother/daughter con team who have their grift down to a fine science. Max targets wealthy, willing men and marries them. Page then seduces them, and Max catches her husband in the act. Then it's off to palimony city and the next easy mark.
Working with a respectable budget of $35.0M, the film achieved a respectable showing with $57.8M in global revenue (+65% 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%)
Heartbreakers (2001) showcases precise plot construction, characteristic of David Mirkin's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 3 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 Page seduces and marries Dean Cumanno in an elaborate wedding, establishing the mother-daughter con team's polished operation in their world of romantic deception.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 15 minutes when Dean discovers the con and the IRS seizes their assets. The team is broke and needs a new mark immediately, but Page demands this be their last con together.. 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 31 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to Page and Max arrive in Palm Beach and actively begin the Tensy con. Page chooses to commit to this final elaborate scheme despite her misgivings., moving from reaction to action.
At 62 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat False victory: Max successfully marries Tensy in a rushed ceremony. The con appears to be working perfectly, but the stakes raise as Page's feelings for Jack deepen and complicate everything., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 92 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Jack discovers Page's deception and rejects her. Page's chance at real love dies. Simultaneously, the Tensy con unravels as he reveals he knew all along and turns the tables., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 99 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 81% of the runtime. Page discovers Tensy is conning Max back and chooses to save her mother despite everything. She synthesizes her con skills with her new authentic self to protect her family., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Heartbreakers'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 Heartbreakers against these established plot points, we can identify how David Mirkin utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Heartbreakers within the comedy genre.
David Mirkin's Structural Approach
Among the 2 David Mirkin films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.8, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. Heartbreakers represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete David Mirkin filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more David Mirkin analyses, see Romy and Michele's High School Reunion.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Page seduces and marries Dean Cumanno in an elaborate wedding, establishing the mother-daughter con team's polished operation in their world of romantic deception.
Theme
Max tells Page "Love is just another con" during their post-wedding debrief, stating the cynical worldview that Page will need to transcend by film's end.
Worldbuilding
The con is revealed: Page marries marks, Max seduces them the next day to trigger divorce settlements. We see their dynamic, skills, and Page's growing resentment of her mother's control.
Disruption
Dean discovers the con and the IRS seizes their assets. The team is broke and needs a new mark immediately, but Page demands this be their last con together.
Resistance
Max resists Page's independence, but they debate and plan their biggest con yet: tobacco billionaire William Tensy in Palm Beach. Page reluctantly agrees to one final job.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Page and Max arrive in Palm Beach and actively begin the Tensy con. Page chooses to commit to this final elaborate scheme despite her misgivings.
Mirror World
Page meets Jack, the earnest bar owner who represents genuine, uncomplicated affection. He is immediately smitten with her, offering a mirror to her false romantic performances.
Premise
The con in action: Max seduces Tensy while Page gets close to him as his "love interest." Meanwhile, Page explores real feelings with Jack, living the double life the premise promises.
Midpoint
False victory: Max successfully marries Tensy in a rushed ceremony. The con appears to be working perfectly, but the stakes raise as Page's feelings for Jack deepen and complicate everything.
Opposition
Everything tightens: Dean tracks them down seeking revenge, Tensy grows suspicious, Max becomes possessive and manipulative, and Page struggles between the con and her genuine love for Jack.
Collapse
Jack discovers Page's deception and rejects her. Page's chance at real love dies. Simultaneously, the Tensy con unravels as he reveals he knew all along and turns the tables.
Crisis
Page confronts her mother about a lifetime of lies and manipulation. She processes losing Jack, losing the con, and realizes she must break free from Max's control to become authentic.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Page discovers Tensy is conning Max back and chooses to save her mother despite everything. She synthesizes her con skills with her new authentic self to protect her family.
Synthesis
Page executes a counter-con to save Max and recover their money. Mother and daughter reconcile with new honesty. Page then finds Jack and proves her genuine transformation to win him back.
Transformation
Page and Jack together, with Max nearby but separate - showing Page has achieved independence and authentic love. The final image mirrors the opening wedding, but this relationship is real.