Larger Than Life
Motivational Speaker Jack Corcoran is determined to get his career off the ground, but the biggest gigs he can get are the ones nobody wants. Then one day, he receives a telegram that his circus clown father has passed away, and has left a "huge" inheritance. When he gets there, he finds that it has come in the form of a elephant that was his father's pride and joy in circus acts. His main intention is to sell it off. He must choose between loud and rude zookeeper Mo or attractive animal show owner Terry. As they trek through the country he and the elephant develop a bond, and it changes his approach on life for the better.
The film box office disappointment against its mid-range budget of $30.0M, earning $8.3M globally (-72% loss). While initial box office returns were modest, the film has gained appreciation for its distinctive approach within the comedy genre.
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%)
Larger Than Life (1996) exemplifies meticulously timed narrative design, characteristic of Howard Franklin's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 33 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.7, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Jack Corcoran
Mo
Terry Bonura
Tessa
Main Cast & Characters
Jack Corcoran
Played by Bill Murray
A motivational speaker who inherits an elephant from his estranged father and embarks on a cross-country journey to sell her.
Mo
Played by Janeane Garofalo
A truck driver who helps Jack transport the elephant across the country.
Terry Bonura
Played by Matthew McConaughey
A sleazy talent agent and Jack's business partner who pressures him to return for important bookings.
Tessa
Played by Linda Fiorentino
A woman Jack becomes romantically interested in during his journey.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Jack Corcoran delivers a polished motivational speech, presenting himself as a success guru with catchphrases and manufactured charisma, masking his superficial existence and emotional disconnection.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 11 minutes when Jack receives news that his estranged father, a circus clown he never knew, has died and left him a mysterious inheritance in Maryland—forcing him to confront his abandoned past.. 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 23 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to Jack decides to transport Vera across the country himself to sell her, choosing to embark on the cross-country journey rather than simply abandoning the elephant., moving from reaction to action.
At 47 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat Jack finds a seemingly perfect buyer for Vera at a wildlife sanctuary in California, believing his problems are solved. False victory—he thinks he can profit and be free of responsibility., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 70 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Jack nearly loses Vera to Mo's schemes and realizes the sanctuary deal may not be what it seemed. He faces the possibility of Vera ending up in a terrible situation because of his greed—a death of his selfish worldview., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 74 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Jack commits to saving Vera and finding her a proper home, synthesizing his salesmanship skills with his newfound capacity for genuine care. He'll fight for Vera rather than sell her out., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Larger Than Life'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 Larger Than Life against these established plot points, we can identify how Howard Franklin utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Larger Than Life within the comedy genre.
Howard Franklin's Structural Approach
Among the 2 Howard Franklin films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.2, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Larger Than Life takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Howard Franklin filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Bad Guys, Ella Enchanted and The Evening Star. For more Howard Franklin analyses, see Quick Change.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Jack Corcoran delivers a polished motivational speech, presenting himself as a success guru with catchphrases and manufactured charisma, masking his superficial existence and emotional disconnection.
Theme
A colleague remarks that Jack's speeches are all surface and no substance, suggesting he doesn't truly connect with people—foreshadowing his need to learn authentic relationships.
Worldbuilding
Jack's world of corporate motivational speaking is established: his slick presentations, superficial relationships, materialistic goals, and complete disconnection from his past and any genuine emotion.
Disruption
Jack receives news that his estranged father, a circus clown he never knew, has died and left him a mysterious inheritance in Maryland—forcing him to confront his abandoned past.
Resistance
Jack travels to Maryland expecting money but discovers his inheritance is Vera, a full-grown elephant. He debates what to do, learning about his father's life and bond with the animal while resisting responsibility.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Jack decides to transport Vera across the country himself to sell her, choosing to embark on the cross-country journey rather than simply abandoning the elephant.
Mirror World
Jack meets Terry Bonura, a tough but warmhearted truck driver who challenges his superficiality. She represents authentic human connection and will become his romantic interest and mirror.
Premise
The road trip comedy unfolds as Jack and Vera encounter absurd situations: transportation mishaps, colorful characters, narrow escapes, and Jack slowly bonding with the elephant despite himself.
Midpoint
Jack finds a seemingly perfect buyer for Vera at a wildlife sanctuary in California, believing his problems are solved. False victory—he thinks he can profit and be free of responsibility.
Opposition
Complications mount: Mo, a shady exotic animal dealer, pursues Jack with sinister intentions for Vera. Jack's greed and shortcuts backfire, transportation becomes increasingly difficult, and his feelings for Vera grow conflicted.
Collapse
Jack nearly loses Vera to Mo's schemes and realizes the sanctuary deal may not be what it seemed. He faces the possibility of Vera ending up in a terrible situation because of his greed—a death of his selfish worldview.
Crisis
Jack grapples with guilt and loss, recognizing that his selfish pursuit of money put Vera at risk. He must decide what truly matters: profit or doing right by the creature who trusted him.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Jack commits to saving Vera and finding her a proper home, synthesizing his salesmanship skills with his newfound capacity for genuine care. He'll fight for Vera rather than sell her out.
Synthesis
Jack outmaneuvers Mo, secures Vera's placement at a legitimate elephant sanctuary in Sri Lanka, and reconnects with Terry. He uses his persuasive abilities for genuine good rather than empty profit.
Transformation
Jack says goodbye to Vera with genuine emotion, transformed from a hollow salesman into a man capable of real connection. He walks toward a future with Terry, having found meaning beyond money.