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 commercial failure against its respectable budget of $30.0M, earning $8.3M globally (-72% loss). While initial box office returns were modest, the film has gained appreciation for its unique voice 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) showcases precise narrative architecture, characteristic of Howard Franklin's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 11-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.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Jack Corcoran is a smooth-talking motivational speaker on the seminar circuit, delivering self-help presentations about personal transformation and success while living a shallow, transient lifestyle.. Significantly, 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 has died. The father he never knew and resented has passed away, forcing Jack to confront a past he's avoided.. 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 22 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to Jack discovers his inheritance: Vera, a three-ton elephant. He actively chooses to take responsibility for the elephant rather than abandon her, committing to transport her cross-country to California., moving from reaction to action.
The Collapse moment at 70 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Jack reaches his lowest point: he arranges to sell Vera to a cruel circus or abusive situation for money. He faces the reality that he's become exactly what he despised—someone who abandons those who depend on him, just like his father., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 74 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Jack executes his plan to rescue Vera from the bad situation and find her a proper home where she'll be cared for and valued. He uses his motivational speaking skills—but now in service of something real rather than a performance., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Larger Than Life's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 11 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. 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 Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Howard Franklin analyses, see Quick Change.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Jack Corcoran is a smooth-talking motivational speaker on the seminar circuit, delivering self-help presentations about personal transformation and success while living a shallow, transient lifestyle.
Theme
A colleague or client mentions something about real responsibility versus performance, hinting at the film's theme about authenticity versus artifice and what truly matters in life.
Worldbuilding
Jack's world as a motivational speaker is established: his seminars, his girlfriend Laci, his superficial existence. We see his act, his persona, and the emptiness beneath the performance.
Disruption
Jack receives news that his estranged father has died. The father he never knew and resented has passed away, forcing Jack to confront a past he's avoided.
Resistance
Jack reluctantly travels to Baltimore for the reading of the will. He debates whether to even engage with this part of his past, resistant to any emotional connection to the father who abandoned him.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Jack discovers his inheritance: Vera, a three-ton elephant. He actively chooses to take responsibility for the elephant rather than abandon her, committing to transport her cross-country to California.
Premise
The road trip begins: Jack and Vera travel cross-country with various mishaps and adventures. The premise delivers on the comedy of a motivational speaker stuck with an elephant, exploring their growing bond.
Opposition
Jack's attempts to sell or dispose of Vera grow more desperate and morally compromised. His relationship with Terry deteriorates as she sees his true character. Vera becomes harder to manage as Jack treats her as cargo rather than a living being.
Collapse
Jack reaches his lowest point: he arranges to sell Vera to a cruel circus or abusive situation for money. He faces the reality that he's become exactly what he despised—someone who abandons those who depend on him, just like his father.
Crisis
Jack reflects on his choices, his relationship with his father, and what kind of person he truly wants to be. The elephant represents the responsibility and genuine connection he's always run from.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Jack executes his plan to rescue Vera from the bad situation and find her a proper home where she'll be cared for and valued. He uses his motivational speaking skills—but now in service of something real rather than a performance.