The Big Fix
In Los Angeles, Moses Wine, who was part of the counter-culture of the late 1960s at UC-Berkeley, still has those radical feelings but no longer does anything about them. His wife Suzanne, who has transformed from a 1960s hippie to a 1970s new-ageist, divorced him when his law school background didn't materialize into the upper middle class liberal life she was expecting, she having sole custody of their two young sons, with Moses having visitation rights. Moses fell into work as a private investigator of the gumshoe variety, which usually doesn't cover his monthly child support payments. After not seeing her for ten years, Moses is contacted by Lila Shea, an old girlfriend from Berkeley, to do some investigative work on behalf of her boss, Sam Sebastian, the Southern California coordinator for the gubernatorial campaign of Congressman Miles Hawthorne. Lila felt Moses would be well suited to the job because of running within "the" crowd at Berkeley, even if only knowing the main players by name and reputation. Flyers have been circulating with a doctored photo of Hawthorne and Howard Eppis in a friendly embrace, Eppis who in the late 1960s was part of the California 4 - the other three being Michael and Wendy Linker, and Luis Vasquez - an anti-establishment group convicted of several counts related to their work against the government. While the Linkers are behind bars probably for the rest of their lives, Luis Vasquez is a free man working for the rights of Mexican laborers, while Eppis has been a fugitive ever since, the authorities who are still looking for him. The flyers, which contain extreme socialist rhetoric and an implication of Hawthorne welcoming Eppis' endorsement, have the potential to derail Hawthorne's campaign. Moses is tasked with finding out who is behind the flyers - the most obvious being the campaign of Hawthorne's competitor, Senator Dillworthy - and if it is indeed not Eppis, why they would have specifically used Eppis' name. Moses accepts the job despite not endorsing Hawthorne - or Dillworthy for that matter - he equating Hawthorne's excitement factor to watching paint dry. The further Moses and Lila get into the investigation, the number of unanswered questions they have grows, and the more people who were associated with Eppis at the time cannot be located, including Oscar Procari, Jr., who funded the California 4's defense probably to spite his industrialist father. With the many trails, Moses and Lila still believe finding Eppis would answer many questions. All the while, Moses tries to rekindle a relationship with Lila. The investigation ends up having a change of focus with the potential for deadly violence on multiple levels and when incidents makes it personal to Moses.
Despite its modest budget of $3.8M, The Big Fix became a financial success, earning $13.0M worldwide—a 242% return. The film's unconventional structure found its audience, showing that strong storytelling can transcend budget limitations.
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%)
The Big Fix (1978) exemplifies meticulously timed narrative architecture, characteristic of Jeremy Kagan's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 11-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 48 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.8, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Moses Wine, former 1960s radical turned private investigator, lives a modest life in Los Angeles, struggling financially while raising two sons as a single father. His small detective agency barely pays the bills, and he's far removed from his activist past.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 14 minutes when Lila Shea, Moses' former lover from his radical days, appears at his office. She's working for gubernatorial candidate Miles Hawthorne and needs Moses to investigate a smear campaign involving a fake flyer linking Hawthorne to the radical group responsible for a recent bombing.. 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.
At 54 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat Moses discovers that his old friend Eppis is involved in the conspiracy and may be connected to the bombing. What seemed like a simple smear campaign investigation now involves real violence, betrayal by former comrades, and dangerous political manipulation. 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 81 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Eppis is killed, and Moses realizes the conspiracy goes beyond simple political dirty tricks—it involves government agents manipulating radical groups. Lila reveals she knew more than she told him, betraying his trust. Moses is alone, his friend dead, his lover complicit, facing powerful forces., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 86 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Moses confronts the political operatives and corrupt agents behind the conspiracy. He exposes the manipulation of radical groups by government provocateurs and the cynical use of violence for political gain. He ensures the truth reaches the press, bringing down those responsible while accepting that Hawthorne's campaign is also tainted., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Big Fix's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 11 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping The Big Fix against these established plot points, we can identify how Jeremy Kagan utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Big Fix within the comedy genre.
Jeremy Kagan's Structural Approach
Among the 3 Jeremy Kagan films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.0, reflecting strong command of classical structure. The Big Fix takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Jeremy Kagan filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Jeremy Kagan analyses, see The Journey of Natty Gann, The Sting II.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Moses Wine, former 1960s radical turned private investigator, lives a modest life in Los Angeles, struggling financially while raising two sons as a single father. His small detective agency barely pays the bills, and he's far removed from his activist past.
Theme
Moses' former flame Lila mentions how people change and asks if the ideals they once fought for still matter. The theme emerges: Can idealism survive in a compromised world, or does everyone eventually sell out?
Worldbuilding
Establishment of Moses' world: his domestic life with his sons, his shabby detective office, his cynical outlook contrasting with his radical past. We meet his ex-wife, see his financial struggles, and understand how far he's fallen from his activist ideals. The 1978 California political landscape provides backdrop.
Disruption
Lila Shea, Moses' former lover from his radical days, appears at his office. She's working for gubernatorial candidate Miles Hawthorne and needs Moses to investigate a smear campaign involving a fake flyer linking Hawthorne to the radical group responsible for a recent bombing.
Resistance
Moses is torn between his cynicism about politics and his attraction to Lila. He debates whether to take the case, questioning if Hawthorne is just another corrupt politician. His friend Alora provides perspective on the changing political landscape. Moses investigates the flyer's origins, rediscovering his investigative skills.
Act II
ConfrontationPremise
Moses investigates the conspiracy, tracking down old radical contacts, following leads about the bombing and the smear campaign. He navigates the world of 1970s counterculture burnouts, political operatives, and his own past. The detective story unfolds with Moses using his radical connections as assets.
Midpoint
Moses discovers that his old friend Eppis is involved in the conspiracy and may be connected to the bombing. What seemed like a simple smear campaign investigation now involves real violence, betrayal by former comrades, and dangerous political manipulation. The stakes escalate dramatically.
Opposition
Moses faces increasing danger as he gets closer to the truth. People connected to his investigation turn up dead. His relationship with Lila becomes strained as he uncovers uncomfortable truths about Hawthorne's campaign. The conspiracy deepens, involving FBI agents, radical provocateurs, and political operatives. Moses' sons are threatened.
Collapse
Eppis is killed, and Moses realizes the conspiracy goes beyond simple political dirty tricks—it involves government agents manipulating radical groups. Lila reveals she knew more than she told him, betraying his trust. Moses is alone, his friend dead, his lover complicit, facing powerful forces.
Crisis
Moses grapples with the death of his ideals. Everyone from his radical past either sold out, burned out, or died. He questions whether pursuing truth matters when the system is irredeemably corrupt. He must decide if he'll expose what he knows or walk away to protect his sons.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Moses confronts the political operatives and corrupt agents behind the conspiracy. He exposes the manipulation of radical groups by government provocateurs and the cynical use of violence for political gain. He ensures the truth reaches the press, bringing down those responsible while accepting that Hawthorne's campaign is also tainted.