The Boss
A titan of industry is sent to prison after she's caught for insider trading. When she emerges ready to rebrand herself as America's latest sweetheart, not everyone she screwed over is so quick to forgive and forget.
Despite a respectable budget of $29.0M, The Boss became a financial success, earning $78.6M worldwide—a 171% return.
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 Boss (2016) showcases carefully calibrated narrative architecture, characteristic of Ben Falcone's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 31 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.5, the film showcases strong structural fundamentals.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Michelle Darnell at peak success - luxury yacht, adoring crowds, wealth empire. She's a self-made mogul who needs nobody, declaring "I am not a mother, I am not a friend.".. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 10 minutes when Michelle arrested for insider trading based on Renault's tip. Her empire crumbles overnight - loses everything, faces prison time.. At 11% 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 21 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 23% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to Michelle chooses to move in with Claire and her daughter Rachel, accepting dependence on others for the first time. Enters the world of normal family life., moving from reaction to action.
At 45 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 49% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat False victory: Michelle's brownie empire is thriving, she's on talk shows, the business is booming. But she's reverting to old patterns - taking credit, marginalizing Claire, prioritizing profit over people., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 66 minutes (72% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Claire leaves with Rachel. Michelle truly alone - lost the only family she ever had. Her business means nothing without them. The "death" of her old isolated self and realization of what truly matters., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 72 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Michelle realizes she must choose people over profit, family over empire. Decides to sacrifice her business interests to save Claire and make things right. Synthesizes business skills with newfound values., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Boss's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping The Boss against these established plot points, we can identify how Ben Falcone utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Boss within the comedy genre.
Ben Falcone's Structural Approach
Among the 3 Ben Falcone films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.1, reflecting strong command of classical structure. The Boss represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Ben Falcone filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Ben Falcone analyses, see Tammy, Life of the Party.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Michelle Darnell at peak success - luxury yacht, adoring crowds, wealth empire. She's a self-made mogul who needs nobody, declaring "I am not a mother, I am not a friend."
Theme
Renault warns Michelle about insider trading consequences: "You can't just take whatever you want." Theme of community vs. individualism, connection vs. isolation.
Worldbuilding
Establishing Michelle's empire, her assistant Claire, her ruthless business practices, and her rivalry with Renault. Shows her complete self-reliance and rejection of family/connection.
Disruption
Michelle arrested for insider trading based on Renault's tip. Her empire crumbles overnight - loses everything, faces prison time.
Resistance
Michelle serves prison time, gets released with nothing. Debates whether to accept help, struggles with having no money or connections. Eventually shows up at Claire's apartment desperate.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Michelle chooses to move in with Claire and her daughter Rachel, accepting dependence on others for the first time. Enters the world of normal family life.
Mirror World
Michelle bonds with Rachel at the Dandelions (Girl Scout-type) brownie sale. Claire and Rachel represent the family/community Michelle never had - the thematic opposite of her isolated success.
Premise
Michelle builds brownie business empire with Claire, creating "Darnell's Darlings." The fun of watching a business mogul apply corporate tactics to Girl Scout brownies. Growing closer to Claire and Rachel.
Midpoint
False victory: Michelle's brownie empire is thriving, she's on talk shows, the business is booming. But she's reverting to old patterns - taking credit, marginalizing Claire, prioritizing profit over people.
Opposition
Renault sabotages the business. Michelle's old selfish patterns damage relationship with Claire. Claire quits. Michelle tries to continue alone but realizes she can't. Her flaws catching up.
Collapse
Claire leaves with Rachel. Michelle truly alone - lost the only family she ever had. Her business means nothing without them. The "death" of her old isolated self and realization of what truly matters.
Crisis
Michelle processes the loss, realizes her pattern of pushing people away stems from childhood abandonment. Dark night of recognizing she's repeated the cycle that hurt her.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Michelle realizes she must choose people over profit, family over empire. Decides to sacrifice her business interests to save Claire and make things right. Synthesizes business skills with newfound values.
Synthesis
Michelle confronts Renault, fights for Claire's future, gives up personal gain to ensure Claire gets the business. Uses her mogul skills but for others' benefit. Final showdown putting others first.
Transformation
Michelle at Claire and Rachel's apartment as family - not as boss or mogul, but as chosen family member. She's found belonging through connection, not domination. Mirror of opening isolation.