Ruby & Quentin
After hiding his loot and getting thrown in jail, Ruby, a brooding outlaw, encounters Quentin, a dim-witted and garrulous giant who befriends him. After Quentin botches Runy's solo escape attempt, they make a break together. Unable to shake the clumsy Quentin, Ruby is forced to take him along as he pursues his former partners in crime to avenge the death of the woman he loved and get to the money before they do.
Working with a mid-range budget of $27.4M, the film achieved a respectable showing with $27.7M in global revenue (+1% 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%)
Ruby & Quentin (2003) exhibits meticulously timed plot construction, characteristic of Francis Veber's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 11-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 25 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 Ruby sits alone in prison, a silent, methodical professional criminal who values solitude and keeps to himself, establishing his need for control and isolation.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 11 minutes when Quentin is assigned as Ruby's cellmate against Ruby's wishes, forcing the solitary criminal into an unwanted partnership with an incessantly chattering incompetent.. 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.
At 43 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat A major setback occurs—either they lose the money, discover Ruby's girlfriend has betrayed him, or the police close in significantly—raising stakes and revealing that Ruby's plan isn't working., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 64 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Ruby's girlfriend's ultimate betrayal is revealed, or Quentin is captured/injured, representing the death of Ruby's old life strategy of trusting no one and working alone., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 68 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Ruby and Quentin execute their final plan together, using both Ruby's competence and Quentin's unexpected contributions, confronting betrayers and authorities while demonstrating their transformed partnership., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Ruby & Quentin's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 11 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping Ruby & Quentin against these established plot points, we can identify how Francis Veber utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Ruby & Quentin within the comedy genre.
Francis Veber's Structural Approach
Among the 4 Francis Veber films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.0, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Ruby & Quentin takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Francis Veber filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Francis Veber analyses, see The Valet, Three Fugitives and The Dinner Game.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Ruby sits alone in prison, a silent, methodical professional criminal who values solitude and keeps to himself, establishing his need for control and isolation.
Theme
A guard or fellow inmate comments on how "nobody can do everything alone" or mentions that even the toughest men need help sometimes, foreshadowing Ruby's journey toward accepting partnership.
Worldbuilding
Establishing prison life: Ruby's disciplined routine and criminal competence contrasted with Quentin's arrival—a motormouth petty criminal who won't stop talking and immediately disrupts Ruby's ordered world.
Disruption
Quentin is assigned as Ruby's cellmate against Ruby's wishes, forcing the solitary criminal into an unwanted partnership with an incessantly chattering incompetent.
Resistance
Ruby resists Quentin at every turn, trying to maintain his isolation and planning his escape alone, while Quentin persists in befriending him and inadvertently becomes involved in Ruby's escape plan.
Act II
ConfrontationPremise
The "fun and games" of two mismatched fugitives on the run: Quentin's incompetence creates chaos while Ruby tries to execute his plan to recover hidden money and find his girlfriend, leading to comic misadventures.
Midpoint
A major setback occurs—either they lose the money, discover Ruby's girlfriend has betrayed him, or the police close in significantly—raising stakes and revealing that Ruby's plan isn't working.
Opposition
Pressure intensifies as pursuers close in, Ruby's criminal contacts prove unreliable, and his emotional walls begin cracking as Quentin's genuine friendship exposes Ruby's loneliness and trust issues.
Collapse
Ruby's girlfriend's ultimate betrayal is revealed, or Quentin is captured/injured, representing the death of Ruby's old life strategy of trusting no one and working alone.
Crisis
Ruby faces his emotional low point, processing that his solitary approach has failed and recognizing that Quentin's friendship is genuine and valuable, something he's never had before.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Ruby and Quentin execute their final plan together, using both Ruby's competence and Quentin's unexpected contributions, confronting betrayers and authorities while demonstrating their transformed partnership.