Someone Like You...
Jane Goodale has everything going for her. She's a producer of a popular daytime talk show, and is in a hot romance with the show's dashing executive producer Ray. When Ray unexpectedly dumps her, she begins an extensive study of male behavior to try to find out what makes men tick. Her "research" leads her to become an overnight sensation/guru for single women everywhere. When Jane begins to use her womanizing roommate and co-worker Eddie as fodder for her research, she finds both humor and answers where they were least expected.
Working with a respectable budget of $23.0M, the film achieved a steady performer with $38.7M in global revenue (+68% 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%)
Someone Like You... (2001) showcases precise story structure, characteristic of Tony Goldwyn's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 37 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.3, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Jane Goodale works as a talent booker for a talk show, competent and optimistic about love, believing in romantic destiny and the "one.".. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Jane and Ray Brown begin a passionate romance. She falls deeply in love, believing she's found her soulmate, and they make plans to move in together.. 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 25 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to Ray suddenly dumps Jane, claiming he can't move in with her and returning to his ex-girlfriend. Jane is devastated and forced to find new living arrangements quickly., moving from reaction to action.
At 49 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat Jane's column becomes a sensation, she's offered a book deal and TV appearances. Professionally, she's thriving. She also realizes she's developing real feelings for Eddie, who seems to be changing his womanizing ways., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 73 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Eddie discovers Jane is the anonymous columnist who's been calling all men animals. He feels betrayed that she used him as research. Jane's identity is exposed publicly, destroying her credibility and her relationship with Eddie., shows 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 80% of the runtime. Jane realizes that love isn't about theories or protecting yourself - it's about taking risks and being vulnerable. She decides to fight for Eddie and admit she was wrong about men and about love., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Someone Like You...'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 Someone Like You... against these established plot points, we can identify how Tony Goldwyn utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Someone Like You... within the comedy genre.
Tony Goldwyn's Structural Approach
Among the 3 Tony Goldwyn films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.6, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Someone Like You... takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Tony Goldwyn filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Tony Goldwyn analyses, see The Last Kiss, Conviction.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Jane Goodale works as a talent booker for a talk show, competent and optimistic about love, believing in romantic destiny and the "one."
Theme
Eddie or a colleague discusses male behavior and commitment, foreshadowing Jane's journey to understand why men leave and whether love is real or biological.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to Jane's workplace at the Diane Roberts show, her friendship with Liz, meeting charming producer Ray Brown, and the womanizing Eddie Alden. Jane's romantic worldview is established.
Disruption
Jane and Ray Brown begin a passionate romance. She falls deeply in love, believing she's found her soulmate, and they make plans to move in together.
Resistance
Jane's whirlwind romance with Ray intensifies. They find an apartment together. Jane is blissfully happy, making plans for their future, while warning signs about Ray's commitment issues begin to appear.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Ray suddenly dumps Jane, claiming he can't move in with her and returning to his ex-girlfriend. Jane is devastated and forced to find new living arrangements quickly.
Mirror World
Jane reluctantly moves in with Eddie Alden, the office womanizer. This unlikely pairing will force Jane to confront her beliefs about men and relationships through Eddie's brutally honest perspective.
Premise
Living with Eddie, Jane develops her "New Cow" theory (based on bull behavior) explaining why men leave relationships. She writes an anonymous column that becomes wildly popular. Meanwhile, she bonds with Eddie despite herself.
Midpoint
Jane's column becomes a sensation, she's offered a book deal and TV appearances. Professionally, she's thriving. She also realizes she's developing real feelings for Eddie, who seems to be changing his womanizing ways.
Opposition
Jane's theory is challenged as Eddie appears to be falling for her, contradicting her cynical view. Ray tries to win her back, complicating matters. Jane struggles to maintain her anonymous identity as her column's popularity grows.
Collapse
Eddie discovers Jane is the anonymous columnist who's been calling all men animals. He feels betrayed that she used him as research. Jane's identity is exposed publicly, destroying her credibility and her relationship with Eddie.
Crisis
Jane hits rock bottom, having lost Eddie, her credibility, and her cynical theory proven wrong by her own feelings. She realizes her theory was wrong and that she's been afraid to trust love.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Jane realizes that love isn't about theories or protecting yourself - it's about taking risks and being vulnerable. She decides to fight for Eddie and admit she was wrong about men and about love.
Synthesis
Jane publicly recants her theory, acknowledging that men are capable of real love and commitment. She makes a grand gesture to win Eddie back, proving she's learned to be vulnerable and trust in love.
Transformation
Jane and Eddie reunite, both transformed. Jane has abandoned her cynical theories and embraced vulnerability. Eddie has proven himself capable of commitment. They begin a real relationship built on honesty and trust.