Little Giants
When Danny O'Shea's daughter is cut from the Peewee football team just for being a girl, he decides to form his own team, composed of other ragtag players who were also cut. Can his team really learn enough to beat the elite team, coached by his brother, a former pro player?
The film underperformed commercially against its respectable budget of $20.0M, earning $19.3M globally (-4% loss).
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%)
Little Giants (1994) showcases precise dramatic framework, characteristic of Duwayne Dunham's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 47 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 Danny O'Shea runs a gas station in Urbania, Ohio, living in the shadow of his younger brother Kevin, the town hero and NFL legend who coaches the popular Pop Warner football team.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when Becky is devastated when Uncle Kevin cuts her from the team solely because she's a girl, despite being the best player at tryouts. The rejection crushes her spirit and forces Danny to confront his brother's injustice.. 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 indicates the protagonist's commitment to Danny officially commits to coaching the Little Giants and challenges Kevin to a game. He accepts responsibility for the misfit team and enters the world of coaching, stepping out of his brother's shadow., moving from reaction to action.
At 52 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 49% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat The Little Giants execute "The Annexation of Puerto Rico" play successfully in a practice/scrimmage, giving them false confidence. The team believes they can win, but the stakes raise as Kevin begins taking them seriously as a threat., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 79 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Becky quits the team to become a cheerleader for the Cowboys, choosing to conform rather than be herself. Danny's dream of proving himself dies as his own daughter abandons him for Kevin, the ultimate betrayal and loss., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 85 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Becky realizes she was trying to be someone she's not and returns to the team as herself. Danny gains new resolve from Patty's encouragement, synthesizing that winning isn't about beating Kevin but about honoring the kids' spirit and his own worth., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Little Giants's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping Little Giants against these established plot points, we can identify how Duwayne Dunham utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Little Giants within the comedy genre.
Duwayne Dunham's Structural Approach
Among the 2 Duwayne Dunham films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.2, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Little Giants takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Duwayne Dunham filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Duwayne Dunham analyses, see Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Danny O'Shea runs a gas station in Urbania, Ohio, living in the shadow of his younger brother Kevin, the town hero and NFL legend who coaches the popular Pop Warner football team.
Theme
When Becky "Icebox" O'Shea tells her dad "It's not whether you win or lose, it's how you play the game," establishing the film's core theme about true victory versus external validation.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to Urbania where Kevin O'Shea is worshipped as a hero. Danny's daughter Becky is the best player in town but gets cut from Kevin's Cowboys team for being a girl, along with other misfit kids.
Disruption
Becky is devastated when Uncle Kevin cuts her from the team solely because she's a girl, despite being the best player at tryouts. The rejection crushes her spirit and forces Danny to confront his brother's injustice.
Resistance
The misfit kids persuade a reluctant Danny to form a rival team. Danny debates whether he can coach, faces his insecurities about competing with Kevin, and recruits the rejected kids including Becky, Junior, Hanon, Tad, and others.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Danny officially commits to coaching the Little Giants and challenges Kevin to a game. He accepts responsibility for the misfit team and enters the world of coaching, stepping out of his brother's shadow.
Mirror World
Patty Floyd, a strong single mother and Danny's romantic interest, emerges as the thematic mirror. She embodies confidence and self-worth, teaching both Danny and Becky about believing in themselves regardless of others' opinions.
Premise
The fun of coaching misfits: Danny and the kids train using unconventional methods. Comic training montages, bonding moments, and the team learning to work together despite their differences and lack of natural talent.
Midpoint
The Little Giants execute "The Annexation of Puerto Rico" play successfully in a practice/scrimmage, giving them false confidence. The team believes they can win, but the stakes raise as Kevin begins taking them seriously as a threat.
Opposition
Kevin uses psychological warfare, planting doubts in Danny's mind. Becky starts wearing makeup and dresses to impress Spike, losing her edge. Internal conflicts arise as the team struggles with identity and Danny questions his coaching methods.
Collapse
Becky quits the team to become a cheerleader for the Cowboys, choosing to conform rather than be herself. Danny's dream of proving himself dies as his own daughter abandons him for Kevin, the ultimate betrayal and loss.
Crisis
Danny hits rock bottom, contemplating forfeiting the game. He processes the pain of rejection and failure, questioning whether he was wrong to challenge Kevin and whether he's done more harm than good to the kids.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Becky realizes she was trying to be someone she's not and returns to the team as herself. Danny gains new resolve from Patty's encouragement, synthesizing that winning isn't about beating Kevin but about honoring the kids' spirit and his own worth.
Synthesis
The championship game: Little Giants vs Cowboys. Danny coaches with heart over ego, Becky plays with fierce authenticity, and the team executes with unity. The final play comes down to Becky and Junior working together in a climactic moment.
Transformation
Win or lose, Danny stands tall with his team, having earned genuine respect. Becky is fully herself, confident and strong. The closing image shows the Giants celebrated not for a trophy but for their courage, mirroring the opening but transformed with self-worth.