How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
Benjamin Barry is an advertising executive competing with two female co-workers for a major campaign for a diamond merchant. He cuts a deal with his competitors that the account is his if he can make a woman of their choice fall in love with him in 10 days. In comes Andie Anderson who, in turn, is writing a story on how to lose a guy in 10 days as a bet with her boss to be allowed to write more substantial stories. With a hidden agenda in each camp, will either party be able to complete their mission?
Despite a moderate budget of $50.0M, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days became a financial success, earning $177.5M worldwide—a 255% return.
1 win & 8 nominations
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%)
How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003) showcases strategically placed story structure, characteristic of Donald Petrie's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 56 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.0, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Andie Anderson writes "How To" articles for Composure magazine but dreams of writing serious journalism about politics and world affairs. Establishes her dissatisfaction with fluff writing and ambition for meaningful work.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when Ben makes a bet with his boss: if he can make any woman fall in love with him in 10 days, he gets the diamond account. His colleagues choose Andie as his target at a bar. Both characters now have conflicting secret agendas aimed at each other.. 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 demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to Ben invites Andie to a Knicks game (going public with the relationship) and she responds by creating maximum embarrassment - singing to him on the jumbotron. Despite the chaos, both commit to continuing the charade. The relationship enters the public sphere., moving from reaction to action.
At 57 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat Ben takes Andie to his family home on Staten Island. False victory: both begin experiencing genuine feelings. Andie drops her act and shows her real self. Ben sees beyond the craziness to who she really is. Stakes raised - real emotions now complicate their manipulative plans., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 86 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, At the diamond company ball, both deceptions are publicly revealed. Ben learns about Andie's article; Andie learns about Ben's bet. The relationship they both started to believe in dies. Public humiliation and betrayal. Both lose: Andie's article is tainted by real feelings, Ben's victory is hollow., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 92 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Ben realizes he loves Andie authentically, not as part of the bet. His colleague tells him, "You did your job too well - you made her fall in love with you." Synthesis: Ben must now pursue her with genuine feeling, not manipulation. He chooses authentic vulnerability over game-playing., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days'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 How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days against these established plot points, we can identify how Donald Petrie utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days within the comedy genre.
Donald Petrie's Structural Approach
Among the 10 Donald Petrie films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.1, reflecting strong command of classical structure. How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Donald Petrie filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Donald Petrie analyses, see Miss Congeniality, Ri¢hie Ri¢h and Just My Luck.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Andie Anderson writes "How To" articles for Composure magazine but dreams of writing serious journalism about politics and world affairs. Establishes her dissatisfaction with fluff writing and ambition for meaningful work.
Theme
Andie's editor tells her, "You can't lose a guy in one week. It's not possible." Theme stated: Is love based on authentic connection or manipulative game-playing? Can you manufacture falling in or out of love?
Worldbuilding
Parallel setup of both protagonists. Andie pitches her article idea to drive a guy away in 10 days using classic mistakes women make. Ben Barry is an advertising executive who wants to work on serious campaigns (diamonds) instead of beer ads. Both are ambitious and underestimated in their careers.
Disruption
Ben makes a bet with his boss: if he can make any woman fall in love with him in 10 days, he gets the diamond account. His colleagues choose Andie as his target at a bar. Both characters now have conflicting secret agendas aimed at each other.
Resistance
The initial dating phase where both execute their plans. Andie begins her crazy girlfriend behavior (excessive calls, premature "our love" talk, moving too fast). Ben endures it all to win his bet. Both are performing roles rather than being authentic.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Ben invites Andie to a Knicks game (going public with the relationship) and she responds by creating maximum embarrassment - singing to him on the jumbotron. Despite the chaos, both commit to continuing the charade. The relationship enters the public sphere.
Mirror World
Andie brings Ben to her friend's therapy session (couples counseling). This mirrors authentic vulnerability against their manipulative games. The therapist unknowingly speaks truth: they need honesty and communication, which neither is providing.
Premise
The "fun and games" of dueling agendas. Andie escalates her crazy behavior (Princess Sophia, bathroom items takeover, ruining poker night) while Ben remains impossibly patient. Comedy derives from watching both execute opposing strategies while the audience knows both secrets.
Midpoint
Ben takes Andie to his family home on Staten Island. False victory: both begin experiencing genuine feelings. Andie drops her act and shows her real self. Ben sees beyond the craziness to who she really is. Stakes raised - real emotions now complicate their manipulative plans.
Opposition
Growing authentic connection creates internal conflict for both. Ben's colleagues (antagonistic forces) invite Andie to the company ball to humiliate Ben. Andie's editor pushes her to end it on day 10. The lies become harder to maintain as real feelings develop. Pressure intensifies from external forces and internal guilt.
Collapse
At the diamond company ball, both deceptions are publicly revealed. Ben learns about Andie's article; Andie learns about Ben's bet. The relationship they both started to believe in dies. Public humiliation and betrayal. Both lose: Andie's article is tainted by real feelings, Ben's victory is hollow.
Crisis
Andie decides to leave New York for Washington D.C. to pursue serious journalism. Ben wins the diamond account but feels empty. Both process that they found something real but destroyed it with lies. Dark night of recognizing they sabotaged genuine love with manipulation.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Ben realizes he loves Andie authentically, not as part of the bet. His colleague tells him, "You did your job too well - you made her fall in love with you." Synthesis: Ben must now pursue her with genuine feeling, not manipulation. He chooses authentic vulnerability over game-playing.
Synthesis
Ben chases Andie's taxi in classic romantic comedy fashion. Confrontation on the street where both confess genuine feelings. Ben acknowledges the bet was real but his love became real. Andie admits she fell in love despite trying not to. Both choose authentic connection over career ambitions.
Transformation
Ben and Andie kiss on the street, reunited. Mirrors opening where both were career-focused and emotionally guarded. Now both have chosen love over ambition, authenticity over manipulation. The closing image shows them together, transformed from game-players to genuine partners.