Role Models
Two salesmen trash a company truck on an energy drink-fueled bender. Upon their arrest, the court gives them a choice: do hard time or spend 150 service hours with a mentorship program. After one day with the kids, however, jail doesn't look half bad.
Despite a mid-range budget of $28.0M, Role Models became a box office success, earning $92.4M worldwide—a 230% 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%)
Role Models (2008) demonstrates strategically placed plot construction, characteristic of David Wain's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 39 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.5, the film showcases strong structural fundamentals.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Danny and Wheeler drive their Minotaur energy drink truck through LA, cynical and going through the motions. Danny's negativity is on full display as he mocks schoolchildren during their assembly presentation.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 11 minutes when Beth breaks up with Danny after he proposes in the worst way possible, revealing his inability to commit or grow. His world begins to crumble as he realizes he's lost the one person who believed in him.. 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 24 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to Danny and Wheeler reluctantly choose to accept 150 hours of community service with Sturdy Wings rather than go to jail. They commit to becoming mentors, entering a world completely foreign to their cynical existence., moving from reaction to action.
At 50 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat False victory: Danny and Wheeler appear to be making progress with their kids. Wheeler helps Ronnie with confidence, Danny reluctantly agrees to participate in Augie's LAIRE battle. The mentorships seem to be working, raising stakes for what could be lost., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 71 minutes (71% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Danny's old patterns destroy everything: he humiliates Augie at the LAIRE event by mocking his fantasy world. Augie and Ronnie both reject their mentors. Gayle kicks Danny and Wheeler out of Sturdy Wings, meaning they'll go to jail. All is lost., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 78 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Danny realizes he must stop being cynical and commit fully to something for once in his life. He and Wheeler decide to fight for the kids rather than accept defeat. They formulate a plan to make things right before their court hearing., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Role Models'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 Role Models against these established plot points, we can identify how David Wain utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Role Models within the comedy genre.
David Wain's Structural Approach
Among the 5 David Wain films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.2, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Role Models represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete David Wain filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more David Wain analyses, see Wanderlust, A Futile and Stupid Gesture and They Came Together.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Danny and Wheeler drive their Minotaur energy drink truck through LA, cynical and going through the motions. Danny's negativity is on full display as he mocks schoolchildren during their assembly presentation.
Theme
During a presentation, a teacher tells Danny that the kids need positive role models in their lives. This thematic statement foreshadows Danny's journey from cynic to mentor.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to Danny's toxic cynicism, his relationship with girlfriend Beth, and his partnership with party-loving Wheeler. We see their dead-end jobs promoting energy drinks and Danny's inability to connect meaningfully with anyone.
Disruption
Beth breaks up with Danny after he proposes in the worst way possible, revealing his inability to commit or grow. His world begins to crumble as he realizes he's lost the one person who believed in him.
Resistance
Danny spirals into destructive behavior, culminating in a meltdown where he and Wheeler crash the Minotaur truck into a school statue. They face jail time but are offered community service through Sturdy Wings mentorship program. They resist and debate whether to accept.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Danny and Wheeler reluctantly choose to accept 150 hours of community service with Sturdy Wings rather than go to jail. They commit to becoming mentors, entering a world completely foreign to their cynical existence.
Mirror World
Danny is paired with Augie, a nerdy kid obsessed with medieval role-playing (LAIRE), while Wheeler is matched with foul-mouthed Ronnie. These relationships will teach them what they need: genuine connection and responsibility.
Premise
The fun and games of mismatched mentors and kids. Danny struggles with Augie's LAIRE obsession, Wheeler bonds with Ronnie over inappropriate humor. Both men resist genuine connection while slowly beginning to care despite themselves.
Midpoint
False victory: Danny and Wheeler appear to be making progress with their kids. Wheeler helps Ronnie with confidence, Danny reluctantly agrees to participate in Augie's LAIRE battle. The mentorships seem to be working, raising stakes for what could be lost.
Opposition
Complications mount as Danny's cynicism continues to sabotage progress. Sturdy Wings director Gayle threatens to fail them. The guys' self-centered behavior alienates the kids. Danny's inability to commit resurfaces as he tries to win back Beth while being a terrible mentor.
Collapse
Danny's old patterns destroy everything: he humiliates Augie at the LAIRE event by mocking his fantasy world. Augie and Ronnie both reject their mentors. Gayle kicks Danny and Wheeler out of Sturdy Wings, meaning they'll go to jail. All is lost.
Crisis
Danny and Wheeler face jail time and the loss of the relationships that gave their lives meaning. They process what they've lost and realize the kids needed them, but more importantly, they needed the kids. Dark night of the soul before the realization hits.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Danny realizes he must stop being cynical and commit fully to something for once in his life. He and Wheeler decide to fight for the kids rather than accept defeat. They formulate a plan to make things right before their court hearing.
Synthesis
Danny and Wheeler crash Augie's LAIRE battle in full costume, publicly apologizing and fighting alongside him. They prove their commitment to the kids. At their hearing, the kids and their parents testify on their behalf. Danny demonstrates genuine growth and connection.
Transformation
Danny and Wheeler, now transformed, maintain real relationships with Augie and Ronnie. Danny has learned to commit and connect. Wheeler has learned responsibility. The closing image shows them as genuine role models, mirroring the opening but with authentic care replacing cynicism.