State and Main
Having left New Hampshire over excessive demands by the locals, the cast and crew of "The Old Mill" moves their movie shoot to a small town in Vermont. However, they soon discover that The Old Mill burned down in 1960, the star can't keep his pants zipped, the starlet won't take her top off, and the locals aren't quite as easily conned as they appear.
The film earned $9.2M at the global box office.
7 wins & 8 nominations
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%)
State and Main (2000) demonstrates deliberately positioned plot construction, characteristic of David Mamet's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 46 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.7, the film showcases strong structural fundamentals.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes The film production "The Old Mill" arrives in Waterford, Vermont after being forced to leave their previous location in New Hampshire. The crew sets up in the small town, establishing the chaotic world of film production meeting small-town America.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when The crew discovers there is no old mill in Waterford - the town's defining landmark burned down years ago. The entire production premise collapses, threatening to derail the film before it starts.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 27 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 26% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to Joseph commits to rewriting the entire screenplay to accommodate the missing mill, choosing to stay and make it work. He actively embraces the challenge and his growing connection to the town, particularly Ann. The production officially continues in Waterford., moving from reaction to action.
At 54 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 51% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat False defeat: The production faces multiple simultaneous crises. Bob refuses to do a scene with a dog due to his contract, the town threatens to withdraw cooperation unless paid more, and Ann discovers Joseph has been lying and manipulating situations just like the rest of the Hollywood crew. The stakes escalate dramatically., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 80 minutes (76% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The production burns down the town's historic building (that they were using as a stand-in for the mill) during filming. This literal destruction represents the death of Joseph's integrity and any remaining trust from the town. The film seems doomed, and Joseph has lost Ann and his self-respect., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 85 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 81% of the runtime. Joseph chooses truth over career. He takes responsibility, refuses to let Bob or others scapegoat the town, and writes an honest ending to the film that reflects what he's learned. He synthesizes his Hollywood skills with Waterford's values - using his craft to serve truth rather than manipulation., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
State and Main'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 State and Main against these established plot points, we can identify how David Mamet utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish State and Main within the comedy genre.
David Mamet's Structural Approach
Among the 4 David Mamet films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.4, reflecting strong command of classical structure. State and Main represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete David Mamet filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more David Mamet analyses, see Heist, The Spanish Prisoner and Spartan.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
The film production "The Old Mill" arrives in Waterford, Vermont after being forced to leave their previous location in New Hampshire. The crew sets up in the small town, establishing the chaotic world of film production meeting small-town America.
Theme
Town elder mentions "That's not our way" when discussing how Waterford does things differently than the outside world. This establishes the theme of authenticity versus artifice, small-town values versus Hollywood manipulation.
Worldbuilding
Introduction of key characters: frustrated director Walt Price, screenwriter Joseph Turner White, narcissistic star Bob Barrenger, producer Marty Rossen. The production needs the town's old mill for filming. Joseph meets bookstore owner Ann Black, representing genuine small-town values.
Disruption
The crew discovers there is no old mill in Waterford - the town's defining landmark burned down years ago. The entire production premise collapses, threatening to derail the film before it starts.
Resistance
The team debates whether to abandon the location or adapt. Joseph reluctantly agrees to rewrite the script to work without the mill. Meanwhile, complications mount: Bob Barrenger faces statutory rape accusations, the town wants money to be in the film, and Joseph grows closer to Ann.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Joseph commits to rewriting the entire screenplay to accommodate the missing mill, choosing to stay and make it work. He actively embraces the challenge and his growing connection to the town, particularly Ann. The production officially continues in Waterford.
Mirror World
Joseph's relationship with Ann deepens as they discuss writing, truth, and authenticity. Ann represents everything Hollywood is not - genuine, principled, grounded. She becomes the embodiment of the theme, showing Joseph what real integrity looks like.
Premise
The "fun" of watching Hollywood chaos in a small town: Bob's scandal with a teenage girl, the townspeople negotiating for money and perks, Walt's artistic compromises, location scouts scrambling for alternatives. Joseph writes and rewrites while falling for Ann, experiencing the contrast between Hollywood's manufactured drama and real connection.
Midpoint
False defeat: The production faces multiple simultaneous crises. Bob refuses to do a scene with a dog due to his contract, the town threatens to withdraw cooperation unless paid more, and Ann discovers Joseph has been lying and manipulating situations just like the rest of the Hollywood crew. The stakes escalate dramatically.
Opposition
Everything unravels: Ann breaks things off with Joseph over his dishonesty, Bob's legal troubles intensify, the town becomes increasingly hostile and mercenary, Walt's artistic vision crumbles under pressure. Joseph's attempts to fix things through more manipulation only make matters worse. His Hollywood instincts fail him.
Collapse
The production burns down the town's historic building (that they were using as a stand-in for the mill) during filming. This literal destruction represents the death of Joseph's integrity and any remaining trust from the town. The film seems doomed, and Joseph has lost Ann and his self-respect.
Crisis
Joseph faces the consequences of Hollywood's destructive nature and his complicity in it. He must decide whether to continue enabling the production's lies and manipulation or stand up for truth, even if it costs him his career. The town debates pressing charges.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Joseph chooses truth over career. He takes responsibility, refuses to let Bob or others scapegoat the town, and writes an honest ending to the film that reflects what he's learned. He synthesizes his Hollywood skills with Waterford's values - using his craft to serve truth rather than manipulation.
Synthesis
Joseph executes his new approach: writing honestly, taking responsibility for the fire, making amends with the town. The production adapts and continues with integrity. He wins back Ann's trust through genuine change, not manipulation. The film-within-the-film gets completed with a truthful ending.
Transformation
Joseph stays in Waterford with Ann, choosing authentic life and love over Hollywood. He's become a writer who serves truth rather than commerce. The final image shows him integrated into the town, having transformed from a cynical Hollywood manipulator into someone with genuine integrity.