The Firm
Mitch McDeere is a young man with a promising future in Law. About to sit his Bar exam, he is approached by 'The Firm' and made an offer he doesn't refuse. Seduced by the money and gifts showered on him, he is totally oblivious to the more sinister side of his company. Then, two Associates are murdered. The FBI contact him, asking him for information and suddenly his life is ruined. He has a choice - work with the FBI, or stay with the Firm. Either way he will lose his life as he knows it. Mitch figures the only way out is to follow his own plan...
Despite a mid-range budget of $42.0M, The Firm became a runaway success, earning $270.2M worldwide—a remarkable 543% return.
Nominated for 2 Oscars. 3 wins & 7 nominations
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 Firm (1993) reveals carefully calibrated narrative architecture, characteristic of Sydney Pollack's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 34 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.9, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Mitch McDeere
Abby McDeere
Avery Tolar
FBI Agent Wayne Tarrance
William Devasher
Oliver Lambert
Tammy Hemphill
Main Cast & Characters
Mitch McDeere
Played by Tom Cruise
A brilliant young Harvard Law graduate who joins a prestigious Memphis law firm, only to discover it's a front for the mob.
Abby McDeere
Played by Jeanne Tripplehorn
Mitch's wife, a teacher who becomes suspicious of the firm and supports her husband through the dangerous ordeal.
Avery Tolar
Played by Gene Hackman
Mitch's mentor at the firm, a charismatic tax attorney who is deeply involved in the firm's criminal activities.
FBI Agent Wayne Tarrance
Played by Ed Harris
An FBI agent who pressures Mitch to help bring down the firm and expose its money laundering operation.
William Devasher
Played by Wilford Brimley
The firm's head of security, a ruthless and intimidating enforcer who monitors the lawyers and eliminates threats.
Oliver Lambert
Played by Hal Holbrook
The managing partner of the firm, a smooth-talking senior lawyer who recruits Mitch and hides the firm's dark secrets.
Tammy Hemphill
Played by Holly Hunter
A secretary and private investigator who helps Mitch gather evidence against the firm.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Mitch McDeere graduates from Harvard Law School with honors, celebrating with his wife Abby. He's a brilliant, ambitious young lawyer from a poor background, ready to conquer the world.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 18 minutes when Mitch accepts the firm's offer and moves to Memphis. At the same time, two firm lawyers die mysteriously in the Cayman Islands, and FBI agent Wayne Tarrance begins surveillance. The golden opportunity contains hidden darkness.. 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 39 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to The firm reveals they have photos of Mitch's infidelity in the Caymans (a setup). Senior partner Avery makes clear: Mitch is now trapped. He cannot leave, cannot talk to the FBI. Mitch actively chooses to play along while secretly looking for a way out., moving from reaction to action.
At 76 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat Mitch devises his brilliant plan: he'll give the FBI evidence of mail fraud (overbilling clients) instead of breaking attorney-client privilege on mob crimes. This allows him to satisfy the FBI without violating the bar and getting disbarred. False victory—it seems like a perfect solution., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 114 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Mitch's brother Ray is nearly killed in a prison escape arranged to help Mitch. FBI agent Tarrance reveals the Morados have ordered Mitch's execution. Every ally is in mortal danger, his plan is unraveling, and death is imminent for him and his family., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 122 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Mitch realizes he has all the pieces: Tammy has copied thousands of overbilling files, Ray is free to help, and Abby is with him. He synthesizes his legal brilliance with his street-smart survival instincts. The plan is a go—they'll steal the files and run., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Firm's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping The Firm against these established plot points, we can identify how Sydney Pollack utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Firm within the drama genre.
Sydney Pollack's Structural Approach
Among the 13 Sydney Pollack films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.0, reflecting strong command of classical structure. The Firm takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Sydney Pollack filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional drama films include After Thomas, South Pacific and Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights. For more Sydney Pollack analyses, see Bobby Deerfield, Sabrina and Three Days of the Condor.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Mitch McDeere graduates from Harvard Law School with honors, celebrating with his wife Abby. He's a brilliant, ambitious young lawyer from a poor background, ready to conquer the world.
Theme
Avery Tolar warns Mitch during recruitment: "You give us an hour, we'll bill the client for two." The firm's culture of moral compromise is explicitly stated, foreshadowing Mitch's journey between integrity and corruption.
Worldbuilding
Mitch is recruited by the prestigious Memphis tax law firm Bendini, Lambert & Locke with an extraordinary offer: $80,000 salary, BMW, low-interest mortgage, debt forgiveness. The firm seems too good to be true, showering him with gifts and attention.
Disruption
Mitch accepts the firm's offer and moves to Memphis. At the same time, two firm lawyers die mysteriously in the Cayman Islands, and FBI agent Wayne Tarrance begins surveillance. The golden opportunity contains hidden darkness.
Resistance
Mitch begins work, thriving under mentor Avery Tolar. He works grueling hours, neglecting Abby. The FBI approaches Mitch, revealing the firm is a criminal enterprise for the Morado crime family, laundering money. Mitch is terrified and resists cooperating, fearing both the mob and losing his dream.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
The firm reveals they have photos of Mitch's infidelity in the Caymans (a setup). Senior partner Avery makes clear: Mitch is now trapped. He cannot leave, cannot talk to the FBI. Mitch actively chooses to play along while secretly looking for a way out.
Mirror World
Mitch confesses the truth to Abby about the firm and his infidelity. Their marriage—representing his moral compass and authentic self—becomes the thematic center. Abby must decide whether to stand by him or leave.
Premise
Mitch plays a dangerous triple game: appearing loyal to the firm, secretly gathering evidence, and dodging the FBI's pressure to become a federal informant. He investigates the firm's criminal activities, explores dead lawyers' files, and begins to formulate a plan.
Midpoint
Mitch devises his brilliant plan: he'll give the FBI evidence of mail fraud (overbilling clients) instead of breaking attorney-client privilege on mob crimes. This allows him to satisfy the FBI without violating the bar and getting disbarred. False victory—it seems like a perfect solution.
Opposition
The firm grows suspicious. They increase surveillance, restrict Mitch's movements, and quietly eliminate anyone helping him. Private investigator Eddie Lomax is murdered. Mitch's secretary Tammy becomes his secret ally, but the walls close in. The mob orders a hit if needed.
Collapse
Mitch's brother Ray is nearly killed in a prison escape arranged to help Mitch. FBI agent Tarrance reveals the Morados have ordered Mitch's execution. Every ally is in mortal danger, his plan is unraveling, and death is imminent for him and his family.
Crisis
Mitch reaches his darkest moment, processing the cost of his choices. He must decide: run forever, die, or execute his dangerous plan. Abby refuses to abandon him. Together, they commit to the final gambit.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Mitch realizes he has all the pieces: Tammy has copied thousands of overbilling files, Ray is free to help, and Abby is with him. He synthesizes his legal brilliance with his street-smart survival instincts. The plan is a go—they'll steal the files and run.
Synthesis
The elaborate finale unfolds: Mitch and Tammy smuggle files, evade firm security and mob hitmen, execute a tense handoff to the FBI on a rooftop, escape Memphis with Ray's help, and watch as the FBI raids the firm. Multiple confrontations culminate in the firm's destruction.
Transformation
Mitch and Abby are reunited, safe, walking together on a beach. No BMW, no mansion—just each other. Mitch has transformed from an ambitious lawyer who would compromise anything for success into a man who chose integrity and family over wealth and status.