Poms
45 minutes outside of Phoenix lies a retirement community. A place where palm trees line the streets, the skies are always clear and the "taxi" (ambulance) drives by two or three times a day - a final destination for retirees. This is the story of America's first cheer-leading squad for women aged 60.
The film earned $8.6M at the global box office.
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%)
Poms (2019) showcases meticulously timed plot construction, characteristic of Zara Hayes's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 31 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.1, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Martha
Sheryl
Alice
Olive
Helen
Evelyn
Vicki
Ben
Main Cast & Characters
Martha
Played by Diane Keaton
A former cheerleader with terminal cancer who moves to a retirement community and decides to fulfill her dream of starting a cheerleading squad.
Sheryl
Played by Jacki Weaver
Martha's vivacious neighbor and best friend who enthusiastically supports the cheerleading squad despite having no prior experience.
Alice
Played by Rhea Perlman
A reserved widow who joins the cheerleading squad and gradually opens up through the experience.
Olive
Played by Pam Grier
An anxious and timid member of the cheerleading squad who gains confidence through performing.
Helen
Played by Celia Weston
A stern and judgmental member of the retirement community's HOA who initially opposes the cheerleading squad.
Evelyn
Played by Phyllis Somerville
A competitive and status-conscious resident who looks down on the cheerleaders' unconventional club.
Vicki
Played by Alisha Boe
The strict HOA president who enforces community rules and initially blocks the cheerleading squad.
Ben
Played by Bruce McGill
Martha's former high school sweetheart who reconnects with her at the retirement community.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Martha receives terminal cancer diagnosis in New York. Alone and isolated, she liquidates her life, selling belongings and preparing to die alone in a retirement community.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Martha discovers her childhood dream journal containing her unfulfilled wish to be a cheerleader. This forgotten dream from her past disrupts her plan to simply wait to die.. 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.
The First Threshold at 22 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to Martha actively chooses to form the cheerleading squad and lead the first practice. She commits to pursuing her dream instead of passively waiting to die, stepping into the role of leader and coach., moving from reaction to action.
At 46 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 51% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat The squad successfully performs at a local event to enthusiastic applause. Martha experiences validation and success, but stakes raise when they decide to compete in the regional championship—making the dream bigger and more public., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 68 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Martha collapses during practice, and her terminal cancer diagnosis is revealed to the squad. Her secret exposed, Martha faces the "death" of her relationships and dream as the women feel betrayed and the squad threatens to disband., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 72 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. The squad members return to Martha, revealing they want to compete for her—not despite her illness, but because of the joy and purpose she gave them. Martha realizes living fully matters more than dying alone., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Poms'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 Poms against these established plot points, we can identify how Zara Hayes utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Poms within the comedy genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Bad Guys, Ella Enchanted and The Evening Star.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Martha receives terminal cancer diagnosis in New York. Alone and isolated, she liquidates her life, selling belongings and preparing to die alone in a retirement community.
Theme
Sheryl, Martha's energetic neighbor, tells her "It's never too late to start living" when trying to get her involved in community activities, establishing the film's central theme about second chances.
Worldbuilding
Martha arrives at Sun Springs retirement community, meets invasive neighbor Sheryl, clashes with controlling HOA head Vicki, and struggles to adjust to the overly cheerful senior community while hiding her terminal illness.
Disruption
Martha discovers her childhood dream journal containing her unfulfilled wish to be a cheerleader. This forgotten dream from her past disrupts her plan to simply wait to die.
Resistance
Sheryl enthusiastically supports Martha's cheerleading idea despite Martha's resistance. Martha debates whether to pursue this absurd dream or maintain her isolated existence. Sheryl recruits other women despite Vicki's opposition.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Martha actively chooses to form the cheerleading squad and lead the first practice. She commits to pursuing her dream instead of passively waiting to die, stepping into the role of leader and coach.
Mirror World
The squad bonds during early practices. Martha begins forming genuine friendships, particularly with Sheryl. This subplot represents connection and community—what Martha has been missing her entire isolated life.
Premise
The cheerleading squad trains together with comic mishaps and growing camaraderie. They face community mockery and Vicki's sabotage attempts but persist. Martha discovers joy in teaching and leadership while the women bond.
Midpoint
The squad successfully performs at a local event to enthusiastic applause. Martha experiences validation and success, but stakes raise when they decide to compete in the regional championship—making the dream bigger and more public.
Opposition
Vicki intensifies efforts to shut down the squad. Martha's health deteriorates, making training harder. Internal conflicts emerge as the pressure of competition exposes insecurities. Martha struggles to hide her illness while pushing the team forward.
Collapse
Martha collapses during practice, and her terminal cancer diagnosis is revealed to the squad. Her secret exposed, Martha faces the "death" of her relationships and dream as the women feel betrayed and the squad threatens to disband.
Crisis
Martha isolates herself, believing she's ruined everything. The squad members separately process Martha's deception and mortality. Martha contemplates giving up entirely, returning to her original plan to die alone.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
The squad members return to Martha, revealing they want to compete for her—not despite her illness, but because of the joy and purpose she gave them. Martha realizes living fully matters more than dying alone.
Synthesis
The squad competes at the championship together. They perform with heart and unity, not for victory but for each other. Martha embraces her role as friend and leader, combining her dream with genuine human connection.
Transformation
Martha surrounded by her cheering squad and community, celebrating together. The isolated, dying woman from the opening has become someone who lived fully, loved, and created joy—proving it's never too late to chase your dreams.