The Client
A street-wise kid, Mark Sway, sees the suicide of Jerome Clifford, a prominent Louisiana lawyer, whose current client is Barry 'The Blade' Muldano, a Mafia hit-man. Before Jerome shoots himself, he tells Mark where the body of a Senator is buried. Clifford shoots himself and Mark is found at the scene, and both the FBI and the Mafia quickly realize that Mark probably knows more than he says.
Despite a mid-range budget of $45.0M, The Client became a financial success, earning $117.6M worldwide—a 161% 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 Client (1994) demonstrates carefully calibrated narrative architecture, characteristic of Joel Schumacher's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 11-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 59 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 Mark Sway and his younger brother Ricky sneak into the woods to smoke cigarettes, establishing their working-class Memphis life and Mark's role as protective older brother.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 14 minutes when Mark witnesses mob lawyer Jerome Romey's suicide and learns the location of Senator Boyette's body before Romey dies. This knowledge puts Mark in mortal danger from both the mob and the legal system.. 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.
At 60 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat Mark is directly threatened by mob assassin Paul Gronke in the hospital elevator. The game changes from legal maneuvering to life-and-death stakes. Mark realizes the mob will kill him and his family whether he talks or not. False defeat: legal protection means nothing., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 90 minutes (76% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Mark is kidnapped by the mob from juvenile detention and nearly killed. He escapes but is completely broken, realizing he has no safe options. The "whiff of death" is literal: he came within seconds of being murdered. His childhood innocence dies., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 95 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Mark and Reggie travel to New Orleans, find Senator Boyette's body in Romey's garage, and negotiate witness protection for the entire Sway family. Mark outsmarts Foltrigg one final time, dictating terms. The FBI gets the body, Mark gets safety and a new life., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Client'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 Client against these established plot points, we can identify how Joel Schumacher utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Client within the drama genre.
Joel Schumacher's Structural Approach
Among the 17 Joel Schumacher films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.0, reflecting strong command of classical structure. The Client takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Joel Schumacher filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional drama films include Eye for an Eye, South Pacific and Kiss of the Spider Woman. For more Joel Schumacher analyses, see Batman Forever, Phone Booth and Falling Down.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Mark Sway and his younger brother Ricky sneak into the woods to smoke cigarettes, establishing their working-class Memphis life and Mark's role as protective older brother.
Theme
Romey tells Mark "You can't trust anyone" before his suicide attempt, establishing the film's central theme about trust, secrets, and the corruption of innocence by adult systems.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to the Sway family, the trailer park environment, and Mark's protective relationship with traumatized Ricky. Parallel establishment of the FBI investigation and the dangerous mob connections to Senator Boyette's murder.
Disruption
Mark witnesses mob lawyer Jerome Romey's suicide and learns the location of Senator Boyette's body before Romey dies. This knowledge puts Mark in mortal danger from both the mob and the legal system.
Resistance
Mark is interrogated by FBI and police. He lies about what Romey told him, realizing adults can't be trusted. Ricky goes catatonic from trauma. Mark debates whether to tell the truth, recognizing he needs help navigating the dangerous adult world.
Act II
ConfrontationPremise
Mark and Reggie navigate the legal system together. Mark outsmarts FBI agent McThune and prosecutor Foltrigg. The fun of watching a street-smart kid and unconventional lawyer take on corrupt authority. The mob makes threatening moves, raising stakes.
Midpoint
Mark is directly threatened by mob assassin Paul Gronke in the hospital elevator. The game changes from legal maneuvering to life-and-death stakes. Mark realizes the mob will kill him and his family whether he talks or not. False defeat: legal protection means nothing.
Opposition
Mark is held in juvenile detention for contempt. The mob burns down the Sway trailer. Pressure intensifies from all sides: Foltrigg wants him to talk, the mob wants him dead, his mother is losing hope. Mark's defiance increasingly isolates him.
Collapse
Mark is kidnapped by the mob from juvenile detention and nearly killed. He escapes but is completely broken, realizing he has no safe options. The "whiff of death" is literal: he came within seconds of being murdered. His childhood innocence dies.
Crisis
Mark processes the near-death experience and recognizes the full horror of his situation. He debates his impossible options with Reggie. The emotional low point where hope seems lost and the system has completely failed to protect an innocent child.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Mark and Reggie travel to New Orleans, find Senator Boyette's body in Romey's garage, and negotiate witness protection for the entire Sway family. Mark outsmarts Foltrigg one final time, dictating terms. The FBI gets the body, Mark gets safety and a new life.