RRRrrrr!!!
In 35,000 BC, the tribe of the Dirty Hairs is in war against the tribe of the Clean Hairs for eight hundred years, trying to get their shampoo. The chief of the Dirty Hairs sends his daughter Guy disguised to the enemy tribe to get some shampoo for his tribe. When the healer of the Clean Hairs tribe surprisingly kills two cavemen of his tribe, their imbecile chief assigns Pierre with curled hair and Pierre blonde to investigate the murder and find the criminal.
The film underperformed commercially against its respectable budget of $17.8M, earning $14.1M globally (-21% loss).
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%)
RRRrrrr!!! (2004) reveals deliberately positioned plot construction, characteristic of Alain Chabat's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 34 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 Introduction to the prehistoric tribe living in harmony, with their primitive customs and the division between the Clean Hairs and the Dirty Hairs clans.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 11 minutes when The discovery of the first murder victim disrupts the peaceful coexistence of the tribes and creates paranoia, suspicion, and the need to find the killer.. 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 First Threshold at 24 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to The decision is made to conduct an investigation across tribal lines, with characters from both Clean Hairs and Dirty Hairs working together to solve the murder., moving from reaction to action.
At 47 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat A false accusation nearly leads to tribal war, revealing that the investigation has made things worse rather than better, raising the stakes dramatically., 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 (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The tribes reach the breaking point and prepare for war, the investigation appears to have failed completely, and hope for peace between Clean Hairs and Dirty Hairs seems dead., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 75 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. A crucial piece of evidence or realization reveals the true killer and exposes that the real enemy was not the other tribe but those who benefited from division., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
RRRrrrr!!!'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 RRRrrrr!!! against these established plot points, we can identify how Alain Chabat utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish RRRrrrr!!! 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
Introduction to the prehistoric tribe living in harmony, with their primitive customs and the division between the Clean Hairs and the Dirty Hairs clans.
Theme
An elder comments on how tribes must learn to overcome their differences and prejudices to survive, establishing the theme of unity versus division.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of the prehistoric world, the rivalry between Clean Hairs and Dirty Hairs tribes, introduction of key characters including the protagonists, and the discovery that someone has committed the first murder in history.
Disruption
The discovery of the first murder victim disrupts the peaceful coexistence of the tribes and creates paranoia, suspicion, and the need to find the killer.
Resistance
The tribes debate how to handle this unprecedented crisis, various characters are suspected, and the protagonists struggle with whether to investigate or maintain tribal divisions.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
The decision is made to conduct an investigation across tribal lines, with characters from both Clean Hairs and Dirty Hairs working together to solve the murder.
Mirror World
A romantic subplot develops between members of rival tribes, embodying the theme of looking past superficial differences to find common humanity.
Premise
The comedic investigation unfolds with absurd prehistoric detective work, the exploration of primitive forensics, and various suspects being interrogated in anachronistic ways.
Midpoint
A false accusation nearly leads to tribal war, revealing that the investigation has made things worse rather than better, raising the stakes dramatically.
Opposition
Tensions escalate between tribes, more evidence complicates the case, trust breaks down, and the investigators face opposition from both sides who want to abandon cooperation.
Collapse
The tribes reach the breaking point and prepare for war, the investigation appears to have failed completely, and hope for peace between Clean Hairs and Dirty Hairs seems dead.
Crisis
The protagonists face their darkest moment, questioning whether unity is possible, reflecting on the futility of their efforts to bridge tribal hatred.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
A crucial piece of evidence or realization reveals the true killer and exposes that the real enemy was not the other tribe but those who benefited from division.
Synthesis
The tribes unite to confront the real culprit, the murder is solved, justice is served, and the two groups overcome their prejudices to form a unified community.
Transformation
Final image shows the formerly divided tribes living together in harmony, with Clean Hairs and Dirty Hairs integrated, mirroring the opening but transformed through unity.