Made
Two aspiring boxers and lifelong friends get involved in a money-laundering scheme through a low-level organized crime group.
Working with a small-scale budget of $5.0M, the film achieved a steady performer with $5.5M in global revenue (+10% profit margin).
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%)
Made (2001) reveals deliberately positioned narrative design, characteristic of Jon Favreau's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 13-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 35 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.8, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Bobby works construction and boxes on the side, struggling to make ends meet while caring for his girlfriend Jessica and her daughter. His best friend Ricky is unreliable and immature, constantly causing problems.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Max offers Bobby a job running an errand to New York for him (working for the mob). When Ricky finds out, he insists on coming along, putting Bobby in an impossible position between loyalty to his friend and doing the job right.. 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 Bobby and Ricky board the plane to New York. Bobby has made the choice to bring Ricky despite his reservations, committing to trying to manage both the mob job and his unreliable friend., moving from reaction to action.
At 48 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 51% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat Ricky's behavior reaches a critical point when he gets them into a confrontation at a nightclub, drawing dangerous attention. Bobby realizes the situation is spiraling out of control and that Ricky could get them both killed., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 72 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The job falls apart completely due to Ricky's recklessness. Bobby faces serious consequences from Max and realizes his enabling of Ricky has destroyed his opportunity and potentially his relationship with Jessica. Their friendship appears dead., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 76 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Bobby works to salvage what he can with Max and Jessica. He maintains his friendship with Ricky but on new terms - with honesty and boundaries rather than enabling. He integrates loyalty with responsibility., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Made's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 13 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping Made against these established plot points, we can identify how Jon Favreau utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Made within the comedy genre.
Jon Favreau's Structural Approach
Among the 6 Jon Favreau films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.8, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. Made takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Jon Favreau filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Bad Guys, Lake Placid and Cat Ballou. For more Jon Favreau analyses, see The Lion King, Iron Man and Chef.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Bobby works construction and boxes on the side, struggling to make ends meet while caring for his girlfriend Jessica and her daughter. His best friend Ricky is unreliable and immature, constantly causing problems.
Theme
Max (Peter Falk) tells Bobby that loyalty and friendship require responsibility and maturity, not just showing up - a warning about Bobby's enabling relationship with Ricky.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of Bobby's world: his modest life working for Max, his relationship with Jessica, his struggling boxing career, and his problematic friendship with the childish, self-sabotaging Ricky who can't hold a job.
Disruption
Max offers Bobby a job running an errand to New York for him (working for the mob). When Ricky finds out, he insists on coming along, putting Bobby in an impossible position between loyalty to his friend and doing the job right.
Resistance
Bobby reluctantly agrees to bring Ricky along despite knowing it's a bad idea. He tries to set ground rules and prepare for the trip, while Ricky treats it like a party. Bobby struggles with whether he can manage both the job and his friend.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Bobby and Ricky board the plane to New York. Bobby has made the choice to bring Ricky despite his reservations, committing to trying to manage both the mob job and his unreliable friend.
Mirror World
They meet Ruiz, the intimidating mob enforcer they'll be working with in New York. He immediately sees through Ricky's act and represents the serious, dangerous world they've entered - the opposite of Ricky's childish fantasies.
Premise
The "fun and games" of the buddy crime movie: Ricky increasingly embarrasses Bobby with his loud mouth and delusions of being a gangster, while Bobby tries desperately to manage the situation and complete the job. Escalating disasters as Ricky pretends to be the boss.
Midpoint
Ricky's behavior reaches a critical point when he gets them into a confrontation at a nightclub, drawing dangerous attention. Bobby realizes the situation is spiraling out of control and that Ricky could get them both killed.
Opposition
Everything gets worse. Ricky's antics jeopardize the job and anger Ruiz. Bobby tries to contain the damage while completing the assignment. The tension between loyalty to his friend and doing what's right intensifies.
Collapse
The job falls apart completely due to Ricky's recklessness. Bobby faces serious consequences from Max and realizes his enabling of Ricky has destroyed his opportunity and potentially his relationship with Jessica. Their friendship appears dead.
Crisis
Bobby sits in the darkness of his failure, realizing he has to stop enabling Ricky and set boundaries. He confronts the truth that real friendship means honesty and accountability, not unconditional tolerance.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Bobby works to salvage what he can with Max and Jessica. He maintains his friendship with Ricky but on new terms - with honesty and boundaries rather than enabling. He integrates loyalty with responsibility.