That's My Boy
While in his teens, Donny fathered a son, Todd, and raised him as a single parent up until Todd's 18th birthday. Now, after not seeing each other for years, Todd's world comes crashing down when Donny resurfaces just before Todd's wedding.
The film struggled financially against its moderate budget of $70.0M, earning $57.7M globally (-18% loss).
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%)
That's My Boy (2012) showcases meticulously timed story structure, characteristic of Sean Anders's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 11-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 56 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.7, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 2 minutes (2% through the runtime) establishes 1984: Teenage Donny Berger is the center of media attention and living his fantasy life after his sexual relationship with his teacher became public. He's famous, partying, and beloved by everyone.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when Donny learns he owes $43,000 in back taxes and will go to prison unless he pays by the end of the weekend. His agent suggests exploiting his son's upcoming wedding for a TV reunion special.. 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 illustrates the protagonist's commitment to Donny arrives at the rehearsal weekend and successfully infiltrates the wedding party by claiming to be an old friend. Todd is horrified but can't expose him without revealing his past. Donny commits to staying the weekend., moving from reaction to action.
The Collapse moment at 86 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Todd discovers Donny's plan to exploit him for the TV special. He feels utterly betrayed - his worst fears about his father confirmed. He disowns Donny completely and tells him to leave. The fragile relationship dies., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 92 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Donny disrupts the wedding and exposes the fiancée's deceptions and true character. Father and son work together. Todd calls off the wedding. Donny faces the consequences of his choices, accepting responsibility for once in his life., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
That's My Boy's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 11 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping That's My Boy against these established plot points, we can identify how Sean Anders utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish That's My Boy within the comedy genre.
Sean Anders's Structural Approach
Among the 6 Sean Anders films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.3, reflecting strong command of classical structure. That's My Boy takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Sean Anders filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Sean Anders analyses, see Spirited, Daddy's Home and Instant Family.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
1984: Teenage Donny Berger is the center of media attention and living his fantasy life after his sexual relationship with his teacher became public. He's famous, partying, and beloved by everyone.
Theme
Donny's lawyer states that real family and responsibility matter more than fame and partying - a warning about what happens when you abandon your duties as a parent for selfish pursuits.
Worldbuilding
Establish Donny's rise to fame in the 80s, birth of his son Han Solo, his failed parenting, and jump to present day where he's broke, washed up, and facing prison for tax evasion. His son changed his name to Todd and wants nothing to do with him.
Disruption
Donny learns he owes $43,000 in back taxes and will go to prison unless he pays by the end of the weekend. His agent suggests exploiting his son's upcoming wedding for a TV reunion special.
Resistance
Donny debates whether to crash his estranged son's wedding weekend. He struggles with the morality of exploiting Todd but decides he has no choice. He lies his way into the wedding events at Todd's fiancée's family estate.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Donny arrives at the rehearsal weekend and successfully infiltrates the wedding party by claiming to be an old friend. Todd is horrified but can't expose him without revealing his past. Donny commits to staying the weekend.
Premise
The comedy premise delivers: Donny's crude personality clashes with Todd's uptight fiancée's family. Donny embarrasses Todd repeatedly but also helps him loosen up and shows him how to have fun, creating genuine father-son moments despite the deception.
Opposition
The lies start catching up. Todd's fiancée becomes suspicious of Donny. The TV producers pressure Donny to reveal everything on camera. Donny's growing conscience battles his desperation. Todd discovers concerning truths about his fiancée.
Collapse
Todd discovers Donny's plan to exploit him for the TV special. He feels utterly betrayed - his worst fears about his father confirmed. He disowns Donny completely and tells him to leave. The fragile relationship dies.
Crisis
Donny retreats in shame, facing the reality that he destroyed his only chance at a real relationship with his son. He must choose between saving himself financially or doing the right thing for Todd, even if Todd never forgives him.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Donny disrupts the wedding and exposes the fiancée's deceptions and true character. Father and son work together. Todd calls off the wedding. Donny faces the consequences of his choices, accepting responsibility for once in his life.