Mr. Destiny
Larry Burrows (Jim Belushi) is unhappy and feels powerless over his life. He believes his entire life could have turned out differently had he not missed that shot in a baseball game when was a kid. One night he meets this mysterious man named Mike (Sir Michael Caine), who could change his fate by offering him that alternative life of which he always dreamed. But as Burrows embarks on this journey of self discovery he realizes that even this new life has its problems and drawbacks.
The film struggled financially against its respectable budget of $20.0M, earning $15.4M globally (-23% 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%)
Mr. Destiny (1990) showcases carefully calibrated narrative architecture, characteristic of James Orr's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 11-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 50 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.3, the film takes an unconventional approach to traditional narrative frameworks.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Larry Burrows is stuck in a miserable life - passed over for promotion, married to a woman who seems unhappy, living in a modest home. He believes everything went wrong because he struck out in a crucial high school baseball game.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 14 minutes when After a disastrous birthday where he's passed over for promotion in favor of his rival Niles, Larry storms out and ends up at a mysterious bar where he encounters the enigmatic bartender Mr. Destiny (Michael Caine).. 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 55 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat Larry discovers that in this reality, he's become a corrupt, ruthless businessman involved in illegal dealings. His "perfect" wife Cindy Jo is shallow and unfaithful. The false victory of wealth crumbles as he realizes this life is hollow and dangerous., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 83 minutes (76% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Larry is arrested for embezzlement and fraud. His perfect life has completely disintegrated. He realizes that Ellen, whom he took for granted, truly loved him, and his modest but honest life was actually valuable. Everything he thought he wanted has turned to ashes., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 88 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Larry wakes back in his original reality and immediately races to reconnect with Ellen and reclaim his authentic life. He applies his newfound wisdom: appreciating his wife, accepting his job, and finding joy in what he previously dismissed as mediocrity., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Mr. Destiny's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 11 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping Mr. Destiny against these established plot points, we can identify how James Orr utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Mr. Destiny within the comedy genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Larry Burrows is stuck in a miserable life - passed over for promotion, married to a woman who seems unhappy, living in a modest home. He believes everything went wrong because he struck out in a crucial high school baseball game.
Theme
During his birthday celebration, someone mentions the importance of choices and how one moment can define a life, foreshadowing the film's central question about fate versus free will.
Worldbuilding
Larry's 35th birthday highlights his dissatisfaction: he's stuck in middle management at a sporting goods company, his marriage to Ellen feels loveless, and he obsesses over the missed baseball opportunity that he believes ruined his life. Everything reminds him of his failure.
Disruption
After a disastrous birthday where he's passed over for promotion in favor of his rival Niles, Larry storms out and ends up at a mysterious bar where he encounters the enigmatic bartender Mr. Destiny (Michael Caine).
Resistance
Mr. Destiny listens to Larry's complaints and offers him a magical drink that will show him what his life would have been like if he'd hit that home run. Larry is skeptical but intrigued by the mysterious bartender's offer.
Act II
ConfrontationPremise
Larry explores his "dream life" - he's now the company president, lives in a mansion, drives a Ferrari, and is married to beautiful Cindy Jo. The fun of the premise: watching Larry navigate this unfamiliar world of wealth and success while slowly discovering its hidden costs.
Midpoint
Larry discovers that in this reality, he's become a corrupt, ruthless businessman involved in illegal dealings. His "perfect" wife Cindy Jo is shallow and unfaithful. The false victory of wealth crumbles as he realizes this life is hollow and dangerous.
Opposition
Larry desperately tries to find Mr. Destiny to reverse the wish, but the bartender has vanished. Meanwhile, his alternate life's problems intensify: police investigate his business dealings, Cindy Jo wants a divorce, and he's being blackmailed. His attempts to fix things only make them worse.
Collapse
Larry is arrested for embezzlement and fraud. His perfect life has completely disintegrated. He realizes that Ellen, whom he took for granted, truly loved him, and his modest but honest life was actually valuable. Everything he thought he wanted has turned to ashes.
Crisis
In jail, Larry has his dark night of the soul. He reflects on what truly matters: genuine love, integrity, and the simple life he abandoned. He understands now that his original life wasn't a failure - he was simply too blind to see its value.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Larry wakes back in his original reality and immediately races to reconnect with Ellen and reclaim his authentic life. He applies his newfound wisdom: appreciating his wife, accepting his job, and finding joy in what he previously dismissed as mediocrity.