Paper Moon
Set in the midwest of the depression-era, Paper Moon follows Moses Pray and Addie Loggins - one a con artist, the other, the young girl who's the daughter of a woman who's just passed away. The pair meet when 'Mose' stops by the sparsely-attended funeral in Kansas of a woman he once knew (we never see her). In attendance, is the woman's young daughter, Addie, whom Moses agrees to transport to St Joseph, Mo -- for money, of course. Mose - an inveterate hustler, has been working ostensibly as a representative of the Kansas Bible Company - who picks his marks from the obits, and tries to sell - at exorbitant prices - the decedents' spouse the custom bible they'd previously ordered. Wise beyond her years, Addie picks up on Moses' grift, and very quickly, she and Mose become a team. Traveling from town to town, making money in every dishonest way imaginable, and looking for the ultimate score. The colorful characters they meet along the way make the film all the more interesting. One in particular - Miss Trixie Delight - an exotic dancer who Mose rescues from a traveling carnival and the girl who works for her, poor, suffering Imogene. Addie sees Miss Delight as a potential rival, and she concocts a plan with Imogene to free themselves of her. The film's peppered with regional dialogue, one of the most memorable line's uttered when Mose is forced to wrestle a backwoodsman in order to trade his new car for the hillbilly's battered old truck; "make him say calf-rope, Leroy!" one of the observers calls out. Paper Moon, directed by Peter Bogdonovich is adapted from the novel, "Addie Pray" (1971) by Joe David Brown.
Despite its small-scale budget of $2.5M, Paper Moon became a massive hit, earning $30.9M worldwide—a remarkable 1136% return. The film's innovative storytelling connected with viewers, proving that strong storytelling can transcend budget limitations.
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%)
Paper Moon (1973) showcases strategically placed dramatic framework, characteristic of Peter Bogdanovich's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 42 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.3, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Depression-era Kansas funeral. Nine-year-old Addie Loggins stands alone at her mother's graveside while con man Moses Pray attends, watching from a distance. Addie is orphaned, isolated, with no visible future.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 11 minutes when Addie confronts Moses with evidence that he cheated her out of $200 owed from her mother's death (the man who killed her mother owed $300, not $100). She demands her rightful money, revealing she's sharper than Moses expected.. At 11% 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 24% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to Moses actively chooses to keep Addie as his partner rather than deliver her to her aunt. He teaches her the con business, making her a full participant. They become a team, launching their partnership in earnest., moving from reaction to action.
At 51 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat Moses picks up Trixie Delight, a carnival dancer, and her maid Miss Bly. This intrusion threatens the Moses-Addie partnership. Addie feels betrayed and replaced. The easy rhythm of their relationship is shattered by this "false family" competition., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 75 minutes (73% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Addie discovers Trixie has stolen most of their money. Betrayed and heartbroken, Addie runs away from Moses, choosing to go to her aunt in Missouri alone. The partnership "dies"—Addie leaves Moses behind at the train depot., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 81 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Moses races to intercept Addie at the train station in Missouri. He realizes he wants her not for the con, but because she's become his family. He chooses love over selfishness., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Paper Moon's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping Paper Moon against these established plot points, we can identify how Peter Bogdanovich utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Paper Moon within the comedy genre.
Peter Bogdanovich's Structural Approach
Among the 4 Peter Bogdanovich films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.2, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Paper Moon represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Peter Bogdanovich filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Peter Bogdanovich analyses, see The Last Picture Show, Mask and What's Up, Doc?.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Depression-era Kansas funeral. Nine-year-old Addie Loggins stands alone at her mother's graveside while con man Moses Pray attends, watching from a distance. Addie is orphaned, isolated, with no visible future.
Theme
Addie's aunt tells Moses: "Blood is thicker than water" when discussing who will care for Addie. The film's central question: Can family be made through choice and connection rather than biology?
Worldbuilding
Moses is paid $200 to deliver Addie to her aunt in Missouri. We learn Moses is a small-time con artist selling personalized Bibles to grieving widows. Addie is sullen, suspicious, and wise beyond her years. Their journey begins with mutual distrust.
Disruption
Addie confronts Moses with evidence that he cheated her out of $200 owed from her mother's death (the man who killed her mother owed $300, not $100). She demands her rightful money, revealing she's sharper than Moses expected.
Resistance
Moses debates what to do with Addie. She proves useful as a prop in his Bible-selling cons, playing the orphan daughter to gain sympathy. Moses resists forming attachment but sees her practical value. Addie learns the con game.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Moses actively chooses to keep Addie as his partner rather than deliver her to her aunt. He teaches her the con business, making her a full participant. They become a team, launching their partnership in earnest.
Mirror World
Addie and Moses develop their working rhythm and begin to show genuine care for each other. Their relationship becomes the heart of the story—Addie represents the family connection Moses didn't know he needed.
Premise
The "fun and games" of the con artist road movie. Moses and Addie work scams across Kansas, selling Bibles and pulling schemes. Addie proves increasingly skilled. They make money, evade the law, and develop an unspoken bond despite their bickering.
Midpoint
Moses picks up Trixie Delight, a carnival dancer, and her maid Miss Bly. This intrusion threatens the Moses-Addie partnership. Addie feels betrayed and replaced. The easy rhythm of their relationship is shattered by this "false family" competition.
Opposition
Trixie manipulates Moses and spends his money. Addie grows increasingly jealous and hurt. The con game becomes harder as Moses is distracted. Trixie represents shallow adult desires versus genuine family connection. Tensions escalate between Moses and Addie.
Collapse
Addie discovers Trixie has stolen most of their money. Betrayed and heartbroken, Addie runs away from Moses, choosing to go to her aunt in Missouri alone. The partnership "dies"—Addie leaves Moses behind at the train depot.
Crisis
Moses realizes what he's lost. Addie sits alone on the train, processing her abandonment and loss. Both experience the dark night of separation, understanding too late what they meant to each other.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Moses races to intercept Addie at the train station in Missouri. He realizes he wants her not for the con, but because she's become his family. He chooses love over selfishness.
Synthesis
Moses finds Addie and they reconcile without words. He gives her the choice to stay with him or go to her aunt. Addie chooses Moses. They drive away together as a real family, returning to their life on the road.
Transformation
Addie sits close to Moses in the car, smoking a cigarette with confidence. The opening image of the isolated orphan is transformed—she now has family by choice. Moses smiles. They are partners, father and daughter in spirit if not blood.