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 moderate budget of $64.0M, the film achieved a respectable showing 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) exemplifies carefully calibrated plot construction, characteristic of Keenen Ivory Wayans's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 11-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.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Calvin Sims, a diminutive criminal, is released from prison. Darryl and Vanessa are an affluent young couple dealing with Vanessa's desire to have a baby while Darryl feels unprepared.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Calvin hides the stolen diamond in Darryl and Vanessa's purse to evade police, then poses as a baby left on their doorstep to retrieve it. The couple discovers the "baby" and takes him in.. At 13% through the film, this Disruption is delayed, allowing extended setup of the story world. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
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 the house, but his cover is nearly blown multiple times. The stakes raise as both the criminals pursuing the diamond and Darryl's suspicions intensify. False defeat: everything is getting harder., 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, The truth is revealed: Darryl and Vanessa discover Calvin is not a baby but a criminal who has been deceiving them. Their dream of family is shattered, trust is broken, and they face danger from the armed criminals., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 78 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. The finale: a confrontation where Darryl and Vanessa outsmart the criminals and Calvin. They prove their partnership is solid and that they can handle chaos together. Calvin is apprehended, the diamond recovered, order restored., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Little Man's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 11 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 Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. 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, a diminutive criminal, is released from prison. Darryl and Vanessa are an affluent young couple dealing with Vanessa's desire to have a baby while Darryl feels unprepared.
Theme
Vanessa expresses that family and being ready for parenthood is about taking the leap together, not waiting for the perfect moment—foreshadowing the story's exploration of unexpected family and maturity.
Worldbuilding
Establishes the parallel worlds: Calvin and Percy pull off a diamond heist while Darryl works at his father-in-law's company, struggling with marital pressure about starting a family. The worlds are set to collide.
Disruption
Calvin hides the stolen diamond in Darryl and Vanessa's purse to evade police, then poses as a baby left on their doorstep to retrieve it. The couple discovers the "baby" and takes him in.
Resistance
Darryl is suspicious of the strange "baby" but Vanessa is overjoyed. They debate what to do—call authorities or keep him temporarily. Vanessa's maternal instincts override Darryl's doubts as they navigate early parenting chaos.
Act II
ConfrontationPremise
The comedy premise delivers: Calvin maintains his baby disguise while searching for the diamond, creating absurd situations. Darryl grows increasingly suspicious while Vanessa falls deeper in love with "motherhood." Physical comedy escalates.
Midpoint
Calvin locates the diamond hidden in the house, but his cover is nearly blown multiple times. The stakes raise as both the criminals pursuing the diamond and Darryl's suspicions intensify. False defeat: everything is getting harder.
Opposition
Darryl's paranoia grows as "baby" behavior becomes increasingly bizarre. Outside criminals close in. Vanessa remains blind to the truth, creating marital tension. Calvin struggles to maintain the charade while Percy attempts to help him escape.
Collapse
The truth is revealed: Darryl and Vanessa discover Calvin is not a baby but a criminal who has been deceiving them. Their dream of family is shattered, trust is broken, and they face danger from the armed criminals.
Crisis
Darryl and Vanessa process the betrayal and violation of their home and trust. They must confront what they really want and whether they're truly ready to face challenges together as partners and future parents.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
The finale: a confrontation where Darryl and Vanessa outsmart the criminals and Calvin. They prove their partnership is solid and that they can handle chaos together. Calvin is apprehended, the diamond recovered, order restored.