So Fine
Jack Fine, owner/manager of Fine Fashions of Brooklyn, which solely produces women's dresses, has been having a difficult time the past year due to the company not keeping up with the changing fashions, so Jack is in debt to the tune of $1.5 million to loan shark/gangster Mr. Eddie, a hulking, flamboyant man who has a penchant for picking up and destroying things that bother him. Jack now falls into that category. Instead of figuratively or literally breaking Jack's legs or worse, Mr. Eddie decides to take over Fine Fashions until the debt is paid, naming Jack's son Bobby Fine, an English Literature professor at upstate Chippenango State College, to manage the operations. Not only does this new career, which Bobby has no option but to accept, threaten the possibility of Bobby obtaining this year's tenure track position in the department, but Bobby at the helm of the fashion house threatens to ruin it completely, as Bobby has no idea about fashion whatsoever. Complicating matters is that Bobby and Mr. Eddie's wife, seductive Italian Lira, fall in love at first sight--she doesn't love Mr. Eddie. Bobby's association with Lira accidentally leads to the latest fashion craze which could save Fine Fashions: coined "So Fine", they are jeans which expose the butt cheeks, that area of the pants covered with clear plastic. With Jack and Bobby potentially coming into a financial windfall because of So Fine as well as being the toast of the fashion world, the question becomes whether Bobby will get everything he wants, including the tenure position and Lira, without Mr. Eddie killing him.
The film earned $9.8M at the global box office.
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%)
So Fine (1981) demonstrates carefully calibrated story structure, characteristic of Andrew Bergman's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 30 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.6, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Bobby Fine
Jack Fine
Lira
Eddie
Professor McCarthy
Lincoln
Main Cast & Characters
Bobby Fine
Played by Ryan O'Neal
An English professor reluctantly pulled into his father's garment business who accidentally invents see-through jeans
Jack Fine
Played by Jack Warden
Bobby's father, a struggling dress manufacturer desperate to save his business from loan sharks
Lira
Played by Mariangela Melato
The beautiful wife of a mob boss who becomes romantically involved with Bobby
Eddie
Played by Richard Kiel
A dangerous loan shark and Lira's jealous husband who threatens the Fine family
Professor McCarthy
Played by Marilyn Sokol
Bobby's academic colleague and romantic interest at the university
Lincoln
Played by Fred Gwynne
Jack Fine's loyal business associate in the garment industry
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Bobby Fine is introduced as a refined English professor lecturing on Othello at his New York college, comfortable in his academic ivory tower, disconnected from the messy realities of his father's garment business.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 11 minutes when Bobby learns his father's business is in serious trouble - Jack owes a dangerous loan shark named Eddie a substantial sum, and failure to pay could mean physical harm. Bobby's peaceful academic life is shattered by this family crisis.. 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 23 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to Bobby commits to helping save his father's business, leaving behind his purely academic existence. He actively chooses to engage with the garment industry despite his reluctance, crossing from observer to participant., moving from reaction to action.
At 46 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 51% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat False victory: The see-through jeans become a massive nationwide sensation, making Fine's company incredibly successful. Bobby is celebrated as a fashion genius, and his affair with Lira intensifies. Everything seems perfect - but Eddie's suspicions are growing., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 68 minutes (76% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Eddie discovers the affair between Bobby and Lira. The gangster's rage puts Bobby's life in immediate danger. Everything Bobby has built - the business success, the relationship with Lira - seems about to collapse. The whiff of death is literal as Eddie threatens violence., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 72 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Bobby realizes he must stop running and face Eddie directly, combining his intellectual wit with genuine courage. He commits fully to Lira and decides to confront the situation head-on rather than retreat to his safe academic world., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
So Fine's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping So Fine against these established plot points, we can identify how Andrew Bergman utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish So Fine within the comedy genre.
Andrew Bergman's Structural Approach
Among the 3 Andrew Bergman films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.9, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. So Fine takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Andrew Bergman filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Bad Guys, Ella Enchanted and The Evening Star. For more Andrew Bergman analyses, see It Could Happen to You, Striptease.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Bobby Fine is introduced as a refined English professor lecturing on Othello at his New York college, comfortable in his academic ivory tower, disconnected from the messy realities of his father's garment business.
Theme
Jack Fine tells his son that sometimes you have to get your hands dirty in the real world - you can't just live in books. The theme of intellectual detachment versus passionate engagement with life is established.
Worldbuilding
The dual worlds are established: Bobby's refined academic life teaching literature, and his father Jack's chaotic garment district business. Jack's company is drowning in debt to loan shark Eddie, creating the crisis that will pull Bobby from his comfortable existence.
Disruption
Bobby learns his father's business is in serious trouble - Jack owes a dangerous loan shark named Eddie a substantial sum, and failure to pay could mean physical harm. Bobby's peaceful academic life is shattered by this family crisis.
Resistance
Bobby reluctantly visits his father's factory and debates whether to get involved. He meets the intimidating Eddie and sees firsthand the dire situation. Jack serves as a rough guide to the garment world, showing Bobby the ropes while pressuring him to help save the family business.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Bobby commits to helping save his father's business, leaving behind his purely academic existence. He actively chooses to engage with the garment industry despite his reluctance, crossing from observer to participant.
Mirror World
Bobby meets Lira, Eddie's beautiful and passionate Italian wife. Their instant attraction introduces the romantic subplot that will embody the film's theme - she represents passion and sensuality, the opposite of Bobby's cerebral existence.
Premise
The "promise of the premise" delivers comedy gold as Bobby stumbles through the fashion world. An accident during a romantic encounter with Lira leads to the creation of see-through jeans with the rear cut out. The jeans become an unexpected fashion phenomenon, saving the business while Bobby juggles his secret affair with the gangster's wife.
Midpoint
False victory: The see-through jeans become a massive nationwide sensation, making Fine's company incredibly successful. Bobby is celebrated as a fashion genius, and his affair with Lira intensifies. Everything seems perfect - but Eddie's suspicions are growing.
Opposition
Success brings new problems. Eddie becomes increasingly suspicious about his wife's behavior and Bobby's involvement. The pressure mounts as Bobby tries to maintain the business success while hiding his affair. His academic career suffers, and the dangerous Eddie closes in on the truth about Bobby and Lira.
Collapse
Eddie discovers the affair between Bobby and Lira. The gangster's rage puts Bobby's life in immediate danger. Everything Bobby has built - the business success, the relationship with Lira - seems about to collapse. The whiff of death is literal as Eddie threatens violence.
Crisis
Bobby faces the consequences of living in two worlds. His intellectual approach can't solve this problem - Eddie wants blood. Bobby must confront whether his feelings for Lira are worth risking everything, including his life. The dark night of the soul forces him to decide what truly matters.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Bobby realizes he must stop running and face Eddie directly, combining his intellectual wit with genuine courage. He commits fully to Lira and decides to confront the situation head-on rather than retreat to his safe academic world.
Synthesis
The finale brings farcical chaos as Bobby must outmaneuver Eddie through a series of comedic confrontations. Using both his wits and newfound courage, Bobby manages to resolve the situation with Eddie, secure the business's future, and win Lira's freedom. The worlds of intellect and passion finally merge.
Transformation
Bobby is transformed from detached intellectual to engaged participant in life. He's found balance between his academic mind and passionate heart, united with Lira, and connected with his father's world. The final image shows Bobby embracing both love and life outside the ivory tower.