Stuck on You
In Martha's Vineyard, Mass., conjoined twins Walt and Bob Tenor make the best of their handicap by being the fastest grill cooks in town. While outgoing Walt hopes to one day become a famous actor, shy Bob prefers to stay out of the spotlight. When a fading Hollywood actress, Cher, decides to get her show "Honey and the Beaze" cancelled, she hires Walt -- and his brotherly appendage -- as her costars. But their addition surprisingly achieves the opposite.
Working with a respectable budget of $55.0M, the film achieved a respectable showing with $65.8M in global revenue (+20% 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%)
Stuck on You (2003) demonstrates deliberately positioned narrative architecture, characteristic of Bobby Farrelly's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 59 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.1, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Bob and Walt Tenor, conjoined twins, work in perfect harmony at their burger joint in Martha's Vineyard, showing their seamless coordination and happy small-town life.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 14 minutes when Walt reveals his dream to move to Hollywood and pursue acting seriously. Bob is shocked but supportive, though clearly worried about leaving their comfortable life.. 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 29 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to Bob makes the active choice to support Walt fully and they drive off to Los Angeles together, leaving their safe world behind for the unknown of Hollywood., moving from reaction to action.
At 60 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat False victory: Walt lands a significant role or gets recognition in Hollywood. They seem to have cracked the code and everything is working out perfectly., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 89 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The truth comes out publicly or their deception is revealed, destroying Walt's career prospects. Bob expresses that he wants to separate (either literally through surgery or just emotionally), representing the "death" of their perfect unity., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 95 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. The brothers realize they can be individuals AND together - they don't have to choose. They discover a new synthesis: supporting each other's dreams while maintaining their bond. Medical consultation reveals separation might be possible, giving them a true choice., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Stuck on You'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 Stuck on You against these established plot points, we can identify how Bobby Farrelly utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Stuck on You within the comedy genre.
Bobby Farrelly's Structural Approach
Among the 9 Bobby Farrelly films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.0, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Stuck on You represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Bobby Farrelly filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Bobby Farrelly analyses, see Champions, Shallow Hal and Dumb and Dumber To.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Bob and Walt Tenor, conjoined twins, work in perfect harmony at their burger joint in Martha's Vineyard, showing their seamless coordination and happy small-town life.
Theme
A customer or friend comments on how the brothers are "always there for each other" and questions what would happen if they wanted different things, establishing the theme of independence versus togetherness.
Worldbuilding
Establishing the twins' daily routine, their restaurant business, Bob's shyness and Walt's outgoing nature, their separate romantic interests, and Walt's secret dream of acting in community theater.
Disruption
Walt reveals his dream to move to Hollywood and pursue acting seriously. Bob is shocked but supportive, though clearly worried about leaving their comfortable life.
Resistance
Bob debates internally about the move while Walt makes plans. They prepare to leave Martha's Vineyard, say goodbyes, and Bob struggles with the decision to support his brother's dream versus his own comfort.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Bob makes the active choice to support Walt fully and they drive off to Los Angeles together, leaving their safe world behind for the unknown of Hollywood.
Mirror World
The twins meet Cher (playing herself) or April, a struggling actress who becomes Walt's co-star and represents the new world of show business and the possibility of connection despite differences.
Premise
The fun and games of conjoined twins navigating Hollywood. Walt gets acting gigs, they create clever solutions to appear separate on camera, Bob helps from the sidelines, and comedic situations arise from their unique situation.
Midpoint
False victory: Walt lands a significant role or gets recognition in Hollywood. They seem to have cracked the code and everything is working out perfectly.
Opposition
The strain of maintaining the illusion grows. Bob's own desires and romantic life suffer. Walt becomes more consumed by his career. The pressure of keeping their secret and the physical/emotional toll increases. Arguments surface about what they each want.
Collapse
The truth comes out publicly or their deception is revealed, destroying Walt's career prospects. Bob expresses that he wants to separate (either literally through surgery or just emotionally), representing the "death" of their perfect unity.
Crisis
Both brothers separately contemplate what life would be like apart. Bob feels guilty for holding Walt back; Walt feels guilty for dragging Bob away from home. Dark night of processing whether their bond is helping or hurting each other.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
The brothers realize they can be individuals AND together - they don't have to choose. They discover a new synthesis: supporting each other's dreams while maintaining their bond. Medical consultation reveals separation might be possible, giving them a true choice.
Synthesis
The finale sequence where they either undergo separation surgery or choose to stay together but with new understanding. They resolve their respective romantic relationships, Walt finds a way to act that honors both of them, and they reconcile their individual needs with their shared life.
Transformation
Final image mirrors the opening but shows growth: the brothers (whether physically separated or not) work together in harmony, now with fuller lives, romantic partners, and having achieved both Walt's dream and Bob's need for home and stability. They are complete individuals who choose to be together.