Riviera Revenge
François Marsault, a war veteran, makes the most of his retirement alongside his wife Annie. Authoritarian and ruthless, François rules his family with an iron fist — but when he discovers that his esteemed wife cheated on him 40 years ago, he files for divorce and confronts her former lover, who lives in the French Riviera.
Working with a tight budget of $5.0M, the film achieved a modest success with $6.5M in global revenue (+30% 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%)
Riviera Revenge (2024) exemplifies deliberately positioned narrative design, characteristic of Ivan Calbérac's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 10-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 34 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.7, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Protagonist lives a peaceful life on the French Riviera, establishing their world of luxury and contentment before disruption.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 11 minutes when A violent attack, betrayal, or loss shatters the protagonist's peaceful existence - someone they love is killed or taken, forcing them into action.. At 12% 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 Collapse moment at 71 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The ally/love interest is killed or betrays protagonist, or protagonist realizes they've become the monster they sought to destroy - the "whiff of death" moment., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 75 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Final confrontation along the Riviera - protagonist faces the true antagonist, executes their plan with skill and moral clarity gained through their journey., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Riviera Revenge's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 10 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping Riviera Revenge against these established plot points, we can identify how Ivan Calbérac utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Riviera Revenge 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
Protagonist lives a peaceful life on the French Riviera, establishing their world of luxury and contentment before disruption.
Theme
A secondary character remarks that "revenge is a dish best served cold" or questions whether justice and vengeance are the same thing.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to the Riviera setting, protagonist's relationships, daily life, and the world of wealth and danger that coexist in this glamorous location.
Disruption
A violent attack, betrayal, or loss shatters the protagonist's peaceful existence - someone they love is killed or taken, forcing them into action.
Resistance
Protagonist resists the call to revenge, debates whether to involve authorities, gathers information about enemies, and prepares for the dangerous path ahead.
Act II
ConfrontationPremise
The revenge plot unfolds with intensity - tracking enemies, executing plans, infiltrating criminal networks across the Riviera's glamorous locations.
Opposition
Enemies retaliate with force, the protagonist's methods become more ruthless, relationships strain, and the cost of revenge becomes apparent as violence escalates.
Collapse
The ally/love interest is killed or betrays protagonist, or protagonist realizes they've become the monster they sought to destroy - the "whiff of death" moment.
Crisis
Protagonist confronts the emotional and moral cost of their choices, questioning whether revenge has meaning if they've lost their humanity in the process.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Final confrontation along the Riviera - protagonist faces the true antagonist, executes their plan with skill and moral clarity gained through their journey.