Kiss Me Goodbye
Not until three years after the death of her husband Jolly, Kay dares to move back into their former house, persuaded by her new fiancé Rupert. But soon her worst expectations come true, when not only her old memories haunt her, but also Jolly's ghost, who doesn't approve of her new mate. Invisible to anyone but Kay, he tries to prevent the wedding.
The film earned $15.8M 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%)
Kiss Me Goodbye (1982) exemplifies carefully calibrated narrative design, characteristic of Robert Mulligan's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 41 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.9, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Kay Villano arrives at her old townhouse with her fiancé Rupert, showing him the elegant home she once shared with her late husband. She appears composed and ready to move forward with her new life.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Jolly's ghost appears to Kay in the townhouse. Only she can see and hear him. He's as charming and disruptive as ever, immediately challenging her plans to marry Rupert and making it clear he doesn't approve.. 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 26 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 26% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to Kay decides to continue with the wedding despite Jolly's interference. She commits to confronting both her past and her future, engaging with Jolly rather than fleeing, while trying to build her new life with Rupert., moving from reaction to action.
At 52 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 51% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat Jolly's interference escalates to a crisis point during a dinner party or important event with Rupert. Kay's attempt to balance both relationships collapses publicly, raising stakes and threatening her engagement. Rupert begins to question Kay's behavior and mental state., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 77 minutes (77% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Rupert calls off the wedding or Kay realizes she's about to lose him. Her attempt to live in both worlds has failed completely. She faces the death of her chance at a new life and must confront the real reason she can't let Jolly go., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 82 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 82% of the runtime. Kay realizes she must let Jolly go—truly say goodbye—to have a real future. She gains clarity that loving Rupert doesn't erase her past with Jolly; both loves are valid, but she must choose to live in the present. She finds the strength to release the ghost., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Kiss Me Goodbye's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping Kiss Me Goodbye against these established plot points, we can identify how Robert Mulligan utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Kiss Me Goodbye within the comedy genre.
Robert Mulligan's Structural Approach
Among the 3 Robert Mulligan films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.0, showcasing experimental approaches to narrative form. Kiss Me Goodbye represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Robert Mulligan filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Robert Mulligan analyses, see Come September, To Kill a Mockingbird.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Kay Villano arrives at her old townhouse with her fiancé Rupert, showing him the elegant home she once shared with her late husband. She appears composed and ready to move forward with her new life.
Theme
Rupert or another character comments on the importance of letting go of the past to embrace the future, establishing the central thematic question of whether Kay can truly move on from her first marriage.
Worldbuilding
Kay and Rupert plan their wedding and discuss renovating the townhouse. We learn about Kay's passionate but chaotic marriage to Jolly, who died three years ago. Rupert is stable, intellectual, and cautious—everything Jolly wasn't.
Disruption
Jolly's ghost appears to Kay in the townhouse. Only she can see and hear him. He's as charming and disruptive as ever, immediately challenging her plans to marry Rupert and making it clear he doesn't approve.
Resistance
Kay struggles with Jolly's presence, trying to ignore him while managing wedding preparations. She debates whether she's losing her mind or if this is real. Jolly argues she's settling for safety over passion, while Kay insists she wants stability.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Kay decides to continue with the wedding despite Jolly's interference. She commits to confronting both her past and her future, engaging with Jolly rather than fleeing, while trying to build her new life with Rupert.
Mirror World
Kay's relationship with Rupert deepens as she observes the contrast between his steady, supportive nature and Jolly's passionate chaos. Rupert represents the thematic alternative: a different kind of love that may be what she truly needs.
Premise
The comedy of Kay managing two relationships—one with a ghost only she can see, one with her living fiancé. Jolly sabotages romantic moments, reminds Kay of their passionate past, and creates chaos. Kay grows increasingly torn between two worlds.
Midpoint
Jolly's interference escalates to a crisis point during a dinner party or important event with Rupert. Kay's attempt to balance both relationships collapses publicly, raising stakes and threatening her engagement. Rupert begins to question Kay's behavior and mental state.
Opposition
Rupert grows suspicious and hurt by Kay's erratic behavior. Jolly intensifies his campaign, perhaps revealing truths about why their marriage was difficult. Kay's inability to explain the situation drives a wedge between her and Rupert. The wedding appears increasingly unlikely.
Collapse
Rupert calls off the wedding or Kay realizes she's about to lose him. Her attempt to live in both worlds has failed completely. She faces the death of her chance at a new life and must confront the real reason she can't let Jolly go.
Crisis
Kay experiences her dark night, facing the truth that holding onto Jolly's ghost means she hasn't truly grieved or moved forward. She must decide what she really wants and who she's become since Jolly's death—not who she was with him.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Kay realizes she must let Jolly go—truly say goodbye—to have a real future. She gains clarity that loving Rupert doesn't erase her past with Jolly; both loves are valid, but she must choose to live in the present. She finds the strength to release the ghost.
Synthesis
Kay confronts Jolly directly, thanks him for what they had, and tells him goodbye. She pursues Rupert, explains her emotional journey (if not the literal ghost), and fights for their relationship. Jolly fades away, releasing both of them. Kay and Rupert reconcile.
Transformation
Kay stands in the townhouse or at her wedding to Rupert, now fully present and at peace. The home that was haunted by the past is now a space for the future. She has integrated both parts of herself—honoring what was while embracing what will be.