Little Man
After leaving the prison, the dwarf criminal Calvin Sims joins to his moron brother Percy to steal an expensive huge diamond in a jewelry for the mobster Walken. They are chased by the police, and Calvin hides the stone in the purse of the executive Vanessa Edwards, whose husband Darryl Edwards wants to have a baby. Percy convinces Calvin to dress like a baby and be left in front of the Edwards's house to get inside the house and retrieve the diamond. Darryl and Vanessa keep Calvin for the weekend and decide to adopt him, while Walken threatens Darryl to get the stone back.
Working with a mid-range budget of $64.0M, the film achieved a steady performer with $101.6M in global revenue (+59% profit margin).
6 wins & 15 nominations
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 Man (2006) demonstrates carefully calibrated narrative architecture, characteristic of Keenen Ivory Wayans's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 38 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.7, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Calvin Simms
Vanessa Edwards
Darryl Edwards
Percy P.
Walken
Pops
Main Cast & Characters
Calvin Simms
Played by Marlon Wayans
A diminutive jewel thief who poses as a baby to retrieve a stolen diamond
Vanessa Edwards
Played by Kerry Washington
Darryl's wife who desperately wants a baby and unknowingly adopts the criminal
Darryl Edwards
Played by Shawn Wayans
Vanessa's husband who becomes suspicious of the "baby" but struggles to convince his wife
Percy P.
Played by Tracy Morgan
Calvin's criminal partner who helps orchestrate the baby disguise scheme
Walken
Played by Chazz Palminteri
The dangerous crime boss who wants the stolen diamond back
Pops
Played by John Witherspoon
Darryl's crude and outspoken father who is suspicious of the baby
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Calvin Sims is released from prison, immediately reuniting with his criminal partner Percy to execute a diamond heist, establishing his life as a small-time crook who uses his diminutive stature for crime.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Fleeing from the cops, Calvin stashes the stolen diamond in Vanessa's purse. When he can't retrieve it, he devises a desperate plan to pose as an abandoned baby left on the Edwards' doorstep.. 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 25 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to Darryl and Vanessa officially decide to keep "Calvin" as their foster child, naming him "Calvin Jr." Calvin chooses to stay embedded with the family rather than abort the plan, committing fully to the baby ruse., moving from reaction to action.
At 49 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat Calvin locates the diamond hidden in a teddy bear but hesitates to leave. At a family barbecue, he realizes he's genuinely enjoying being part of the Edwards family. False victory: he has what he came for but doesn't want to go., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 74 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Calvin's true identity is exposed to Darryl and Vanessa. The family is devastated by the betrayal—Vanessa's dreams of motherhood shattered, Darryl's trust violated. Calvin loses the only real family connection he's ever known., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 78 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Calvin chooses family over fortune. He teams up with Darryl to rescue Vanessa, using his criminal skills for good. Calvin synthesizes his street smarts with his newfound understanding of loyalty and love., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Little Man'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 Little Man against these established plot points, we can identify how Keenen Ivory Wayans utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Little Man within the comedy genre.
Keenen Ivory Wayans's Structural Approach
Among the 6 Keenen Ivory Wayans films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.1, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Little Man takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Keenen Ivory Wayans filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Bad Guys, Ella Enchanted and The Evening Star. For more Keenen Ivory Wayans analyses, see I'm Gonna Git You Sucka, White Chicks and Scary Movie.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Calvin Sims is released from prison, immediately reuniting with his criminal partner Percy to execute a diamond heist, establishing his life as a small-time crook who uses his diminutive stature for crime.
Theme
Vanessa tells Darryl that family isn't about biology but about the love and commitment you give. This establishes the theme that true family is formed through devotion, not circumstance.
Worldbuilding
The parallel worlds are established: Calvin and Percy pull off the diamond heist but must flee from gangster Walken; meanwhile, Darryl and Vanessa Edwards are introduced as a loving couple struggling with infertility who desperately want to start a family.
Disruption
Fleeing from the cops, Calvin stashes the stolen diamond in Vanessa's purse. When he can't retrieve it, he devises a desperate plan to pose as an abandoned baby left on the Edwards' doorstep.
Resistance
Calvin reluctantly commits to the baby disguise while Percy serves as his outside guide. Darryl is suspicious of the "baby" but Vanessa's maternal instincts override his concerns. Calvin struggles to maintain his cover while searching for the diamond.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Darryl and Vanessa officially decide to keep "Calvin" as their foster child, naming him "Calvin Jr." Calvin chooses to stay embedded with the family rather than abort the plan, committing fully to the baby ruse.
Mirror World
Calvin begins experiencing genuine family moments with Darryl and Vanessa. Their unconditional love and nurturing—something Calvin never had—starts to affect him, representing the thematic counterpoint to his criminal life.
Premise
The comedic premise delivers: Calvin endures absurd baby situations—diaper changes, baby talk, being manhandled by Darryl's father Pops, a disastrous pediatrician visit, and competition with the neighbor's kid—all while secretly searching for the diamond and dodging Walken's goons.
Midpoint
Calvin locates the diamond hidden in a teddy bear but hesitates to leave. At a family barbecue, he realizes he's genuinely enjoying being part of the Edwards family. False victory: he has what he came for but doesn't want to go.
Opposition
Walken's threats intensify as he closes in on Calvin. Percy pressures Calvin to grab the diamond and run. Darryl grows increasingly suspicious of the "baby's" strange behavior. Calvin's double life becomes harder to maintain as his attachment to the family deepens.
Collapse
Calvin's true identity is exposed to Darryl and Vanessa. The family is devastated by the betrayal—Vanessa's dreams of motherhood shattered, Darryl's trust violated. Calvin loses the only real family connection he's ever known.
Crisis
Calvin faces the consequences of his deception. Walken kidnaps Vanessa to force Calvin to hand over the diamond. Calvin must choose between the diamond—his original goal—and saving the woman who showed him unconditional love.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Calvin chooses family over fortune. He teams up with Darryl to rescue Vanessa, using his criminal skills for good. Calvin synthesizes his street smarts with his newfound understanding of loyalty and love.
Synthesis
Calvin and Darryl execute a rescue mission, confronting Walken and his gang. Calvin's size becomes an advantage as he outsmarts the criminals. Percy has a change of heart and helps. Walken is defeated and arrested.
Transformation
Calvin is embraced by the Edwards family as a true friend. Darryl and Vanessa adopt a real baby, and Calvin becomes a positive presence in their lives—transformed from a selfish criminal to someone who understands the value of family and belonging.