Labor Day
Two strangers are drawn together under incredible circumstances. What starts as an unforeseen encounter over a long holiday weekend soon becomes a second chance love story.
Working with a respectable budget of $18.0M, the film achieved a modest success with $20.3M in global revenue (+13% 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%)
Labor Day (2013) exhibits precise plot construction, characteristic of Jason Reitman's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 51 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.4, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 2 minutes (2% through the runtime) establishes Depressed single mother Adele lives in isolated paralysis with her 13-year-old son Henry. She rarely leaves the house, struggling with depression after her husband left her. Henry narrates their confined, sad existence.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when At the store, a bleeding man (Frank) approaches Henry and Adele, forcing them to give him a ride. He reveals he's an escaped convict. Their safe, isolated world is shattered by this dangerous stranger.. 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 27 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to Adele makes the choice to trust Frank and let him stay rather than alert authorities when she has opportunities. She actively chooses to let him into their lives, crossing from captive to willing participant., moving from reaction to action.
At 56 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat False victory: Adele and Frank consummate their relationship and fully commit to each other. They finalize plans to flee together as a family. It seems like their escape and new life together is actually possible., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 82 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Their escape attempt fails. At the last moment, as they're about to leave for Canada, they're discovered. Frank is captured by police. The dream of their new life together dies. Adele and Henry watch helplessly as Frank is taken away., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 90 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 81% of the runtime. Time jump forward: Adult Henry (now a narrator with perspective) reveals that Frank's love gave Adele the strength to re-enter life. She learned to trust again. New information: Frank maintained contact from prison, their connection enduring., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Labor Day's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping Labor Day against these established plot points, we can identify how Jason Reitman utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Labor Day within the drama genre.
Jason Reitman's Structural Approach
Among the 8 Jason Reitman films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.1, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Labor Day represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Jason Reitman filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional drama films include Eye for an Eye, South Pacific and Kiss of the Spider Woman. For more Jason Reitman analyses, see Young Adult, Juno and Thank You for Smoking.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Depressed single mother Adele lives in isolated paralysis with her 13-year-old son Henry. She rarely leaves the house, struggling with depression after her husband left her. Henry narrates their confined, sad existence.
Theme
Henry's voiceover reflects on how sometimes people come into your life and change everything, suggesting themes of redemption, trust, and unexpected salvation.
Worldbuilding
Establish Adele's depression and agoraphobia, her rare shopping trip before Labor Day weekend, Henry's protective role as her caretaker, the suffocating small-town New England setting, and glimpses of Adele's failed marriage.
Disruption
At the store, a bleeding man (Frank) approaches Henry and Adele, forcing them to give him a ride. He reveals he's an escaped convict. Their safe, isolated world is shattered by this dangerous stranger.
Resistance
Frank takes them hostage in their home. Initial fear and debate: Adele considers escape opportunities, Henry is both frightened and intrigued. Frank is surprisingly gentle, fixing things around the house, cooking, and slowly revealing his humanity rather than menace.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Adele makes the choice to trust Frank and let him stay rather than alert authorities when she has opportunities. She actively chooses to let him into their lives, crossing from captive to willing participant.
Mirror World
Frank teaches Henry how to play baseball and begins forming a father-son bond. The relationship subplot that carries the theme emerges: Frank becomes the father figure Henry never had and the partner Adele lost.
Premise
The promise of the premise: a makeshift family forms over the long Labor Day weekend. Frank fixes the house, teaches Henry masculine skills, cooks elaborate meals, and slowly draws Adele out of her shell. Romance blooms. The famous peach pie scene. They plan to escape together to Canada.
Midpoint
False victory: Adele and Frank consummate their relationship and fully commit to each other. They finalize plans to flee together as a family. It seems like their escape and new life together is actually possible.
Opposition
Pressure mounts as nosy neighbors grow suspicious, police searches intensify, Adele's ex-husband visits unexpectedly, and a disabled neighbor boy becomes aware of Frank's presence. Flashbacks reveal Frank's tragic backstory and the crime that imprisoned him, complicating our view of him.
Collapse
Their escape attempt fails. At the last moment, as they're about to leave for Canada, they're discovered. Frank is captured by police. The dream of their new life together dies. Adele and Henry watch helplessly as Frank is taken away.
Crisis
Adele sinks back into depression, devastated by losing Frank. She and Henry process the loss of the brief happiness they experienced. The dark night as they confront returning to their previous empty existence.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Time jump forward: Adult Henry (now a narrator with perspective) reveals that Frank's love gave Adele the strength to re-enter life. She learned to trust again. New information: Frank maintained contact from prison, their connection enduring.
Synthesis
The finale plays out across years: Adele rebuilds her life, becomes whole again. Frank serves his time. The love they shared over that one weekend transformed them both permanently. Resolution of how that brief encounter changed their trajectories.
Transformation
Adult Henry visits Frank in prison, then watches as Adele and Frank reunite after his release. Mirror to opening: Adele is no longer paralyzed and isolated but alive, hopeful, and capable of love. She has transformed from broken to whole.