Regarding Henry
After being shot, a lawyer loses his memory and must relearn speech and mobility, but he has a loving family to support him.
Working with a respectable budget of $25.0M, the film achieved a modest success with $43.0M in global revenue (+72% profit margin).
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%)
Regarding Henry (1991) reveals strategically placed story structure, characteristic of Mike Nichols's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 10-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 48 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.8, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Henry Turner is shown as a ruthless, successful Manhattan lawyer who prioritizes winning cases over ethics, dismisses his daughter, and maintains an emotionally distant relationship with his wife. His world is one of wealth, power, and cold professionalism.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 14 minutes when Henry is shot in the head during a convenience store robbery. The random act of violence leaves him in a coma, with severe brain damage that will erase his memory and personality, destroying the life he knew.. 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 Collapse moment at 81 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Henry fully comprehends the unethical lawyer he was—that he deliberately hid evidence that cost the Mathews family their case and destroyed their lives. The death of his old identity is complete; he's horrified by who he used to be., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 87 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Henry delivers the suppressed evidence to the Mathews family, resigns from his law firm, and dismantles his old life. He rebuilds relationships with honesty, finds meaningful work, and fully commits to being the better person he's become., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Regarding Henry's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 10 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping Regarding Henry against these established plot points, we can identify how Mike Nichols utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Regarding Henry within the romance genre.
Mike Nichols's Structural Approach
Among the 15 Mike Nichols films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.0, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. Regarding Henry takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Mike Nichols filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional romance films include South Pacific, Last Night and Diana. For more Mike Nichols analyses, see Carnal Knowledge, Primary Colors and Closer.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Henry Turner is shown as a ruthless, successful Manhattan lawyer who prioritizes winning cases over ethics, dismisses his daughter, and maintains an emotionally distant relationship with his wife. His world is one of wealth, power, and cold professionalism.
Theme
Henry's daughter Rachel expresses frustration about her father's absence and emotional unavailability, capturing the film's theme: what makes a good life isn't success or power, but genuine human connection and kindness.
Worldbuilding
Establishes Henry's life as a high-powered attorney: his ruthless courtroom tactics, strained marriage with Sarah, distant relationship with daughter Rachel, affair implications, and his willingness to suppress evidence to win cases. Shows the hollowness beneath the success.
Disruption
Henry is shot in the head during a convenience store robbery. The random act of violence leaves him in a coma, with severe brain damage that will erase his memory and personality, destroying the life he knew.
Resistance
Henry undergoes intensive physical and cognitive rehabilitation with therapist Bradley. He must relearn basic functions: walking, talking, reading, controlling his emotions. Sarah struggles with whether to help this stranger who was once her husband.
Act II
ConfrontationPremise
Henry explores his "new" life with childlike wonder and honesty. He reconnects with Rachel, rediscovers his marriage with Sarah, questions his profession, and inadvertently reveals his essential goodness. The family experiences what they never had: genuine connection.
Opposition
Henry begins recovering memories and discovering troubling truths about his former self: the affair, the suppressed evidence in the Mathews case, his cruelty to colleagues. Each revelation threatens the new life and identity he's built. The old world closes in.
Collapse
Henry fully comprehends the unethical lawyer he was—that he deliberately hid evidence that cost the Mathews family their case and destroyed their lives. The death of his old identity is complete; he's horrified by who he used to be.
Crisis
Henry wrestles with his conscience and identity. He must choose between protecting his career and comfortable life (the old Henry's path) or doing what's right and risking everything (the new Henry's integrity). His family waits to see who he'll become.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Henry delivers the suppressed evidence to the Mathews family, resigns from his law firm, and dismantles his old life. He rebuilds relationships with honesty, finds meaningful work, and fully commits to being the better person he's become.