Problem Child 2
Junior and his father, Ben, move from Cold River to Mortville. Junior becomes threatened by Ben's desire to date again and find a new mother for Junior, and sabotages each of his dates.
Despite a mid-range budget of $15.0M, Problem Child 2 became a box office success, earning $32.7M worldwide—a 118% return.
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%)
Problem Child 2 (1991) reveals precise story structure, characteristic of Brian Levant's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 30 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.0, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Junior Healy
Ben Healy
LaWanda Dumore
Trixie Young
Annie Young
Igor Peabody
Main Cast & Characters
Junior Healy
Played by Michael Oliver
A mischievous adopted boy who wreaks havoc while protecting his father's interests and finding friendship with another troublemaker.
Ben Healy
Played by John Ritter
A divorced single father struggling to manage his troublesome son while pursuing romance with a new woman.
LaWanda Dumore
Played by Amy Yasbeck
A kind-hearted nurse and single mother who becomes Ben's love interest despite the chaos Junior creates.
Trixie Young
Played by Ivyann Schwan
LaWanda's mischievous daughter who becomes Junior's partner in crime and friend.
Annie Young
Played by Laraine Newman
A conniving and manipulative woman who pretends to be sweet to win Ben over while scheming to get his money.
Igor Peabody
Played by Jack Warden
Annie's partner in crime, posing as a wealthy suitor while helping her scheme to defraud Ben.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Ben and Junior Healy arrive at their new home after moving from the first film. Ben is a single dad trying to start fresh, while Junior remains a mischievous troublemaker who hasn't learned his lesson.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 10 minutes when Ben meets LaWanda Dumore, an attractive woman who seems perfect for him. This potential romance disrupts their bachelor status quo and offers hope for a real family - but LaWanda comes with her own daughter Trixie, who may be even worse than Junior.. 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 22 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to Ben decides to seriously pursue a relationship with LaWanda despite the chaos, committing to the idea of creating a blended family. This choice launches him into the complications of Act 2., moving from reaction to action.
At 44 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 49% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat A major event reveals LaWanda's true character or creates a serious rift - possibly she shows her mercenary nature or unreasonable demands. What seemed like a perfect romance now appears doomed. Stakes raise as Ben realizes this relationship may not be what he hoped., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 66 minutes (73% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The relationship with LaWanda completely falls apart, likely in a public or humiliating way. Ben's dream of a perfect family dies. Junior may face consequences or rejection. This is the lowest point where everything Ben worked for is lost., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 71 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Ben realizes that he and Junior are already a complete family, or gains insight about what true love and acceptance mean. He synthesizes the lesson from his failed romance with his core values, finding new clarity about what matters., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Problem Child 2's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping Problem Child 2 against these established plot points, we can identify how Brian Levant utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Problem Child 2 within the comedy genre.
Brian Levant's Structural Approach
Among the 9 Brian Levant films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.2, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Problem Child 2 takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Brian Levant filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Bad Guys, Ella Enchanted and The Evening Star. For more Brian Levant analyses, see The Flintstones, The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas and The Spy Next Door.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Ben and Junior Healy arrive at their new home after moving from the first film. Ben is a single dad trying to start fresh, while Junior remains a mischievous troublemaker who hasn't learned his lesson.
Theme
Ben's friend or neighbor mentions something about finding love and being a family, suggesting the theme that true connection requires accepting people as they are, flaws and all.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of Ben's attempts to date and find a new mother for Junior, Junior's continued pranks and schemes at school and home, and the introduction of their new neighborhood. Ben is desperate for companionship while Junior sabotages his efforts.
Disruption
Ben meets LaWanda Dumore, an attractive woman who seems perfect for him. This potential romance disrupts their bachelor status quo and offers hope for a real family - but LaWanda comes with her own daughter Trixie, who may be even worse than Junior.
Resistance
Ben debates pursuing LaWanda while dealing with Junior's resistance and escalating pranks. Junior meets Trixie and they engage in prank warfare. Ben hesitates about commitment, unsure if he can handle the complications of blending their chaotic families.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Ben decides to seriously pursue a relationship with LaWanda despite the chaos, committing to the idea of creating a blended family. This choice launches him into the complications of Act 2.
Mirror World
Junior and Trixie's relationship evolves from rivalry to reluctant partnership. Their subplot mirrors the main romance, showing that connection comes from accepting someone's true nature rather than trying to change them.
Premise
The fun of watching Ben and LaWanda's romance develop while Junior and Trixie cause escalating chaos together. Comic set pieces of disastrous dates, elaborate pranks, and the complications of blended family dynamics play out.
Midpoint
A major event reveals LaWanda's true character or creates a serious rift - possibly she shows her mercenary nature or unreasonable demands. What seemed like a perfect romance now appears doomed. Stakes raise as Ben realizes this relationship may not be what he hoped.
Opposition
LaWanda's demands and true nature become increasingly problematic. Junior's pranks intensify as he tries to break up the relationship. The antagonistic forces close in - whether LaWanda herself, her expectations, or external complications that threaten both relationships.
Collapse
The relationship with LaWanda completely falls apart, likely in a public or humiliating way. Ben's dream of a perfect family dies. Junior may face consequences or rejection. This is the lowest point where everything Ben worked for is lost.
Crisis
Ben and Junior process their failure and isolation. Dark night where they confront what really matters - their relationship with each other versus the fantasy of a perfect blended family. Emotional honesty between father and son.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Ben realizes that he and Junior are already a complete family, or gains insight about what true love and acceptance mean. He synthesizes the lesson from his failed romance with his core values, finding new clarity about what matters.
Synthesis
Ben and Junior work together to resolve the external conflict with LaWanda or other antagonistic forces. They demonstrate their growth by accepting each other and possibly helping Trixie. The finale shows them as a united team rather than at odds.
Transformation
Final image mirrors the opening but shows transformation. Ben and Junior are still a chaotic pair, but now they accept and appreciate each other. They've learned that family isn't about perfection but about accepting people as they are.