Son in Law
Country girl Rebecca begins college in Los Angeles. There she meets Crawl, a student who is crazy, unpredictable and wild. During the holidays she brings him with her home. Her parents have never seen anything like him and are shocked when Rebecca tells them that they are engaged to be married. Two different worlds collide...
The film earned $36.4M 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%)
Son in Law (1993) demonstrates carefully calibrated dramatic framework, characteristic of Steve Rash's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 35 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 Rebecca Warner lives a wholesome, sheltered life on her family's South Dakota farm, following traditions and preparing to leave for college while dating hometown boyfriend Travis.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Rebecca arrives at college and is overwhelmed by the chaotic, diverse campus culture. She meets her eccentric RA Crawl, whose wild personality represents everything foreign to her upbringing.. 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 reveals the protagonist's commitment to Rebecca makes the active choice to transform herself, getting a makeover and embracing the party lifestyle. She fully commits to exploring her new identity at college., moving from reaction to action.
At 47 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 49% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat False victory: Crawl's charm wins over Rebecca's family despite his outlandish behavior. The fake engagement plan seems to be working perfectly, and the family embraces him as one of their own., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 70 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The truth is exposed: Crawl isn't really Rebecca's fiancé. Her family feels betrayed and humiliated. Rebecca's father rejects her, and Crawl is kicked out. The relationship with her family is shattered., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 76 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Rebecca realizes she must fight for both her authentic self and her family's love. She understands that Crawl taught her to be true to herself, and she can bridge both worlds without sacrificing either., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Son in Law's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping Son in Law against these established plot points, we can identify how Steve Rash utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Son in Law within the comedy genre.
Steve Rash's Structural Approach
Among the 4 Steve Rash films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.2, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Son in Law represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Steve Rash filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Steve Rash analyses, see Eddie, The Buddy Holly Story and Can't Buy Me Love.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Rebecca Warner lives a wholesome, sheltered life on her family's South Dakota farm, following traditions and preparing to leave for college while dating hometown boyfriend Travis.
Theme
Rebecca's father or friend comments about being yourself and not letting others change who you are, foreshadowing her college transformation and the central conflict about authenticity.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of Rebecca's rural farm life, conservative family values, relationship with Travis, and her naive excitement about attending college in California. Her sheltered worldview is clearly defined.
Disruption
Rebecca arrives at college and is overwhelmed by the chaotic, diverse campus culture. She meets her eccentric RA Crawl, whose wild personality represents everything foreign to her upbringing.
Resistance
Crawl becomes Rebecca's guide to college life, encouraging her to break out of her shell. She debates between staying true to her roots and embracing this new world of freedom and self-expression.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Rebecca makes the active choice to transform herself, getting a makeover and embracing the party lifestyle. She fully commits to exploring her new identity at college.
Mirror World
Rebecca's relationship with Crawl deepens as he helps her discover her authentic self. He represents the thematic opposite of her constrained farm life, teaching her to embrace individuality and spontaneity.
Premise
The fun and games of Rebecca's college transformation. Thanksgiving approaches and Rebecca, afraid her family will disapprove of her changes, brings Crawl home and pretends he's her fiancé to deflect attention from breaking up with Travis.
Midpoint
False victory: Crawl's charm wins over Rebecca's family despite his outlandish behavior. The fake engagement plan seems to be working perfectly, and the family embraces him as one of their own.
Opposition
The lie becomes increasingly complicated. Travis grows suspicious and jealous. Rebecca's family pressures her about the wedding. The deception weighs on Rebecca and Crawl, and genuine feelings between them complicate matters.
Collapse
The truth is exposed: Crawl isn't really Rebecca's fiancé. Her family feels betrayed and humiliated. Rebecca's father rejects her, and Crawl is kicked out. The relationship with her family is shattered.
Crisis
Rebecca faces her family's disappointment and anger. She must confront what she's been avoiding: being honest about who she's become and whether her family can accept the real her, not the lie or the old Rebecca.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Rebecca realizes she must fight for both her authentic self and her family's love. She understands that Crawl taught her to be true to herself, and she can bridge both worlds without sacrificing either.
Synthesis
Rebecca stands up to her family and Travis, asserting her new identity while expressing her love for them. Crawl proves his genuine care for the family through his actions. The family comes to accept both Rebecca's growth and Crawl.
Transformation
Rebecca returns to college confident and authentic, having reconciled her farm roots with her new identity. Her family accepts and supports the real her, and she and Crawl are together, both transformed by their connection.