Me, Myself & Irene
Charlie Baileygates (Jim Carrey) is a Rhode Island state trooper with multiple personalities. He is otherwise mild-mannered and non-confrontational until somebody or something pushes him a little too far. That's when his maniacal alter-ego, Hank, takes over. Charlie is assigned on a routine mission to return alleged fugitive Irene Waters (Renée Zellweger) back to upstate New York, but they wind up on the run from corrupt Police Officers. And their escape would be a lot simpler on everybody involved if Hank didn't keep stepping in at the most inopportune times.
Despite a respectable budget of $51.0M, Me, Myself & Irene became a financial success, earning $149.3M worldwide—a 193% return.
2 wins & 4 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%)
Me, Myself & Irene (2000) exemplifies precise narrative design, characteristic of Peter Farrelly's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 56 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.9, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Charlie Baileygates is introduced as an overly nice, passive Rhode Island state trooper who lets everyone walk all over him, establishing his pushover personality.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when Charlie finally snaps after years of abuse - his suppressed personality fractures and his aggressive alter ego "Hank" emerges violently, attacking people who have wronged him.. 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 29 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to Charlie decides to take Irene on the road trip to protect her from corrupt agents, actively choosing to enter the adventure despite his condition and the risks involved., moving from reaction to action.
At 57 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat False victory: Charlie and Irene grow closer, and it seems like he might be able to manage both personalities. Romantic connection deepens, but the stakes also raise as the agents close in., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 86 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Everything falls apart: Irene is captured, Charlie/Hank's split causes a major disaster, and it appears Charlie has lost both Irene and control of himself. The relationship seems destroyed, mission failed., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 92 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Synthesis/revelation: Charlie realizes he needs both sides - kindness AND assertiveness. He doesn't need to eliminate Hank or suppress himself; he needs to integrate and choose when to be strong., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Me, Myself & Irene'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 Me, Myself & Irene against these established plot points, we can identify how Peter Farrelly utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Me, Myself & Irene within the comedy genre.
Peter Farrelly's Structural Approach
Among the 5 Peter Farrelly films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.5, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. Me, Myself & Irene represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Peter Farrelly filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Peter Farrelly analyses, see Dumb and Dumber, The Three Stooges and Green Book.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Charlie Baileygates is introduced as an overly nice, passive Rhode Island state trooper who lets everyone walk all over him, establishing his pushover personality.
Theme
A character observes Charlie being taken advantage of, suggesting "You gotta stand up for yourself" - the central thematic question of suppression vs. authenticity.
Worldbuilding
Charlie's wife leaves him for a limo driver, he raises their three Black sons alone (though they're not biologically his), and we see years of accumulated humiliation and suppression as he refuses to express anger or stand up for himself.
Disruption
Charlie finally snaps after years of abuse - his suppressed personality fractures and his aggressive alter ego "Hank" emerges violently, attacking people who have wronged him.
Resistance
Charlie tries to manage his split personality with medication. His sons and psychiatrist debate how to handle Hank. Charlie is assigned to escort Irene Waters, a woman in trouble, to upstate New York.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Charlie decides to take Irene on the road trip to protect her from corrupt agents, actively choosing to enter the adventure despite his condition and the risks involved.
Mirror World
Irene becomes the thematic mirror - she's attracted to aspects of both Charlie (kind, gentle) and Hank (confident, assertive), representing the synthesis Charlie needs to achieve.
Premise
Road trip comedy ensues with Charlie switching between personalities. Hank's crude confidence contrasts with Charlie's timid niceness. Irene navigates both personalities while they evade corrupt agents. The fun of the premise: dual personality chaos.
Midpoint
False victory: Charlie and Irene grow closer, and it seems like he might be able to manage both personalities. Romantic connection deepens, but the stakes also raise as the agents close in.
Opposition
The antagonists intensify their pursuit. Charlie's inability to control when Hank emerges creates bigger problems. Irene becomes confused about which personality she's falling for. The personality split becomes more dangerous and less manageable.
Collapse
Everything falls apart: Irene is captured, Charlie/Hank's split causes a major disaster, and it appears Charlie has lost both Irene and control of himself. The relationship seems destroyed, mission failed.
Crisis
Charlie faces his dark night - the realization that neither complete suppression (old Charlie) nor complete aggression (Hank) is the answer. He must find integration.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Synthesis/revelation: Charlie realizes he needs both sides - kindness AND assertiveness. He doesn't need to eliminate Hank or suppress himself; he needs to integrate and choose when to be strong.
Synthesis
Final confrontation with the corrupt agents. Charlie uses both his gentle intelligence and Hank's assertive strength appropriately, rescues Irene, and defeats the antagonists by being a complete, integrated person.
Transformation
Final image shows Charlie balanced and whole - still kind but no longer a doormat, able to stand up for himself without becoming a monster. With Irene, he's found someone who loves his complete self.