Screwed
A chauffeur kidnaps his rich boss's dog to hold it for ransom, but when she accidentally gets the dog back, she thinks that it's the chauffeur who's been kidnapped.
The film underperformed commercially against its tight budget of $10.0M, earning $7.2M globally (-28% loss). While initial box office returns were modest, the film has gained appreciation for its unconventional structure within the comedy genre.
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%)
Screwed (2000) demonstrates deliberately positioned narrative design, characteristic of Larry Karaszewski's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 21 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.8, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Willard Fillmore
Rusty P. Hayes
Miss Crock
Chip Oswald
Grover Cleaver
Dr. Moll
Main Cast & Characters
Willard Fillmore
Played by Norm MacDonald
A mild-mannered chauffeur to a tyrannical elderly woman who gets framed for kidnapping his employer.
Rusty P. Hayes
Played by Dave Chappelle
Willard's best friend and co-conspirator in the fake kidnapping scheme.
Miss Crock
Played by Elaine Stritch
An elderly, mean-spirited millionaire who mistreats her chauffeur Willard.
Chip Oswald
Played by Daniel Benzali
Miss Crock's slimy, conniving son who wants to steal her fortune.
Grover Cleaver
Played by Sherman Hemsley
A bumbling, incompetent detective investigating the kidnapping case.
Dr. Moll
Played by Danny DeVito
A corrupt veterinarian who gets involved in the kidnapping scheme.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Willard Fillmore is shown being verbally abused and humiliated by his wealthy employer Miss Crock while working as her chauffeur. His downtrodden existence and lack of respect establish his miserable ordinary world.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 11 minutes when Miss Crock fires Willard and refuses to give him his promised Christmas bonus after years of loyal service. This callous dismissal pushes Willard to the breaking point and catalyzes his desperate plan for revenge.. 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 First Threshold at 21 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 26% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to Willard and Rusty execute their plan and successfully kidnap Miss Muffy. By committing the crime, Willard crosses the point of no return - he's now a criminal with no way back to his old life., moving from reaction to action.
At 41 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 51% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat The situation inverts dramatically when the police and media believe Willard himself has been kidnapped. Miss Crock must now publicly pretend to care about her chauffeur while secretly hoping he stays missing. The stakes escalate beyond their control., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 61 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The scheme completely falls apart when their identities are discovered. Willard and Rusty face arrest and total ruin. The dream of easy money dies as they confront the consequences of their amateur criminal enterprise., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 65 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 81% of the runtime. A revelation about Miss Crock's own criminal activities - her tax evasion and fraud - gives Willard and Rusty unexpected leverage. They realize they can turn the tables on their tormentor., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Screwed'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 Screwed against these established plot points, we can identify how Larry Karaszewski utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Screwed within the comedy genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Bad Guys, Ella Enchanted and The Evening Star.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Willard Fillmore is shown being verbally abused and humiliated by his wealthy employer Miss Crock while working as her chauffeur. His downtrodden existence and lack of respect establish his miserable ordinary world.
Theme
Rusty tells Willard that people like them will never get ahead playing by the rules - the rich get richer while the working class gets stepped on. This establishes the theme of class disparity and the desperation it breeds.
Worldbuilding
The world of Pittsburgh's class divide is established. We meet Willard's cruel employer Miss Crock, her beloved dog Miss Muffy, Willard's best friend Rusty who works at a mortuary, and see the systematic mistreatment Willard endures daily.
Disruption
Miss Crock fires Willard and refuses to give him his promised Christmas bonus after years of loyal service. This callous dismissal pushes Willard to the breaking point and catalyzes his desperate plan for revenge.
Resistance
Willard debates what to do with Rusty, who becomes his guide into the criminal world. They hatch a scheme to kidnap Miss Crock's beloved dog Miss Muffy and hold her for ransom. Rusty helps plan the operation despite their obvious inexperience.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Willard and Rusty execute their plan and successfully kidnap Miss Muffy. By committing the crime, Willard crosses the point of no return - he's now a criminal with no way back to his old life.
Mirror World
Grover Cleaver, the eccentric mortuary owner where Rusty works, becomes entangled in the scheme. His subplot introduces the thematic mirror - another working-class man who has found unconventional ways to survive in a system rigged against him.
Premise
The comedic premise unfolds as Willard and Rusty bungle their way through the ransom demands. Miss Crock proves more attached to her money than her dog. Meanwhile, a case of mistaken identity causes chaos when Willard is reported as the kidnapping victim.
Midpoint
The situation inverts dramatically when the police and media believe Willard himself has been kidnapped. Miss Crock must now publicly pretend to care about her chauffeur while secretly hoping he stays missing. The stakes escalate beyond their control.
Opposition
Everything spirals out of control. Police investigate the fake kidnapping, Miss Crock's greed is tested as ransom demands increase, Grover's involvement complicates matters, and Willard and Rusty struggle to maintain their scheme as the net closes in.
Collapse
The scheme completely falls apart when their identities are discovered. Willard and Rusty face arrest and total ruin. The dream of easy money dies as they confront the consequences of their amateur criminal enterprise.
Crisis
Willard and Rusty must process their failure and desperate situation. Everything they hoped to gain is lost, and they face serious legal consequences. The dark moment forces them to confront their choices.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
A revelation about Miss Crock's own criminal activities - her tax evasion and fraud - gives Willard and Rusty unexpected leverage. They realize they can turn the tables on their tormentor.
Synthesis
Armed with damaging information, Willard confronts Miss Crock. The finale plays out as the balance of power shifts. Miss Crock's greed and cruelty are exposed, and Willard negotiates from a position of strength for the first time.
Transformation
Willard emerges victorious, no longer the downtrodden servant. He and Rusty have secured their financial future while Miss Crock faces her comeuppance. The final image shows Willard as a man who finally commands respect.