Kiss of Death
Jimmy Kilmartin's an ex-con who's trying to go straight. But he can't say no to a quick driving job because his so called friend's life is threatened. The job is for Little Junior Brown, a violent and powerful villain. When things go wrong, Jimmy is left to do the time, and his whole life is turned upside-down, but if that wasn't enough, the cops won't leave Jimmy alone when he gets out... They want 'Little Junior'
The film financial setback against its respectable budget of $40.0M, earning $14.9M globally (-63% loss). While initial box office returns were modest, the film has gained appreciation for its fresh perspective within the crime genre.
1 nomination
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 of Death (1995) reveals precise dramatic framework, characteristic of Barbet Schroeder'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 7.0, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Jimmy Kilmartin is a small-time car thief trying to live a legitimate life with his wife Bev and their daughters, working at his cousin's auto body shop in Queens.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Jimmy reluctantly agrees to participate in one more car theft job with his cousin Ronnie to get money for his family, but the job goes catastrophically wrong when they're interrupted and a cop is killed.. 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 25% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to After serving years in prison and learning his wife died and his cousin betrayed him by sleeping with Bev, Jimmy makes the active choice to become an informant for DA Zioli to get out and reclaim his daughters., moving from reaction to action.
At 51 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 51% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat Little Junior Brown brutally kills someone in front of Jimmy, revealing the true depth of his psychopathy and raising the stakes dramatically. Jimmy realizes how dangerous his situation has become and that he's in over his head., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 76 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Jimmy's cover is blown or nearly exposed, putting his daughters in direct danger. Junior threatens Jimmy's family, and Jimmy faces the possibility that his attempt at redemption has only brought more death and destruction., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 81 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Jimmy decides to stop playing both sides and take direct action to protect his family. He synthesizes his street knowledge with his newfound purpose as a father, choosing to confront Junior on his own terms., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Kiss of Death'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 of Death against these established plot points, we can identify how Barbet Schroeder utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Kiss of Death within the crime genre.
Barbet Schroeder's Structural Approach
Among the 6 Barbet Schroeder films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.1, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Kiss of Death takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Barbet Schroeder filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional crime films include The Bad Guys, Batman Forever and 12 Rounds. For more Barbet Schroeder analyses, see Murder by Numbers, Single White Female and Reversal of Fortune.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Jimmy Kilmartin is a small-time car thief trying to live a legitimate life with his wife Bev and their daughters, working at his cousin's auto body shop in Queens.
Theme
Bev tells Jimmy, "You can't change what you are," establishing the central question of whether people can truly escape their past and transform themselves.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to Jimmy's world: his struggling legitimate life, his relationship with his family, his cousin Ronnie's connections to the criminal world, and the economic pressures that surround him.
Disruption
Jimmy reluctantly agrees to participate in one more car theft job with his cousin Ronnie to get money for his family, but the job goes catastrophically wrong when they're interrupted and a cop is killed.
Resistance
Jimmy is arrested and pressured by DA Frank Zioli to inform on the crime boss Little Junior Brown. Jimmy refuses to be a rat and goes to prison, where he faces the consequences of protecting his cousin and maintaining his code.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
After serving years in prison and learning his wife died and his cousin betrayed him by sleeping with Bev, Jimmy makes the active choice to become an informant for DA Zioli to get out and reclaim his daughters.
Mirror World
Jimmy reconnects with his childhood friend and Bev's friend, who becomes a potential romantic interest and represents the possibility of genuine human connection and a life beyond crime and betrayal.
Premise
Jimmy navigates his double life as an informant, getting close to the psychopathic Little Junior Brown while trying to rebuild his relationship with his daughters and maintain his humanity in a world of violence and deception.
Midpoint
Little Junior Brown brutally kills someone in front of Jimmy, revealing the true depth of his psychopathy and raising the stakes dramatically. Jimmy realizes how dangerous his situation has become and that he's in over his head.
Opposition
Junior becomes increasingly suspicious and erratic. The walls close in on Jimmy as he struggles to maintain his cover while the violence escalates. Junior's paranoia grows and Jimmy's family is increasingly at risk.
Collapse
Jimmy's cover is blown or nearly exposed, putting his daughters in direct danger. Junior threatens Jimmy's family, and Jimmy faces the possibility that his attempt at redemption has only brought more death and destruction.
Crisis
Jimmy confronts the darkest implications of his choices - his attempt to escape his past by becoming an informant has compromised his integrity and endangered those he loves most. He must face who he truly is.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Jimmy decides to stop playing both sides and take direct action to protect his family. He synthesizes his street knowledge with his newfound purpose as a father, choosing to confront Junior on his own terms.
Synthesis
The final confrontation with Little Junior Brown. Jimmy uses everything he's learned to outmaneuver the psychopath, working with law enforcement but on his own terms to ensure his family's safety and bring Junior to justice.
Transformation
Jimmy is shown with his daughters in a scene that mirrors the opening but demonstrates his transformation - he has proven that people can change, breaking the cycle and becoming the father his daughters deserve.