The Longest Week
As he eases into adulthood at the age of forty, Conrad Valmont (Jason Bateman), the over-educated, under-employed heir to the Valmont Hotel fortune, is cut off from his allowance following his parents abrupt divorce and tossed out into the unforgiving streets of the Upper West Side. Luckily, he is taken in by his old friend Dylan (Billy Crudup), and returns the favor by immediately falling for Dylan's girlfriend Beatrice (Olivia Wilde). As Conrad attempts to woo Beatrice while keeping both their relationship and his bank balance secret, Dylan tries to set him up with Jocelyn (Jenny Slate). Ever committed to the charade that he eventually finds difficult to maintain, Conrad quickly realizes his charm can only extend so far into debt. Now deep into an extensional reflection, will it take losing everything to make Conrad realize what he can truly become?
The film earned $46K at the global box office.
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 Longest Week (2014) demonstrates deliberately positioned dramatic framework, characteristic of Peter Glanz's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 26 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 Conrad Valmont narrates his privileged, pampered existence living in his parents' Manhattan hotel suite. He's a wealthy dilettante who has never worked, never wanted for anything, and spends his days in idle luxury writing an unpublished novel.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 10 minutes when Conrad's parents cut him off completely and evict him from the hotel suite. They reveal they're divorcing and he must immediately leave. His entire foundation of wealth and security is yanked away in a single conversation.. 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 22 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to Conrad meets Beatrice at a gallery event and becomes instantly infatuated. He makes the active choice to pursue her romantically, entering the new world of genuine emotional vulnerability despite learning she's involved with Dylan., moving from reaction to action.
At 43 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat False victory: Conrad and Beatrice sleep together and she suggests he might be "the one." He believes he's successfully transformed into a better person and won genuine love. But this is built on deception - she doesn't know about his friendship with Dylan or his lies., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 65 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Dylan confronts Conrad about betraying him by pursuing Beatrice. The truth comes out: Conrad has been lying to both of them. Beatrice discovers his deception and both relationships die. Conrad is alone, broke, and exposed as a fraud., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 68 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Conrad has a realization: he must be honest for the first time in his life. He chooses genuine vulnerability over ego protection. He decides to apologize to Dylan and tell Beatrice the complete truth with no expectation of forgiveness., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Longest Week's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping The Longest Week against these established plot points, we can identify how Peter Glanz utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Longest Week within the comedy genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Conrad Valmont narrates his privileged, pampered existence living in his parents' Manhattan hotel suite. He's a wealthy dilettante who has never worked, never wanted for anything, and spends his days in idle luxury writing an unpublished novel.
Theme
Dylan speaks about the difference between infatuation and real connection, foreshadowing Conrad's journey from superficial relationships to genuine feeling. The theme centers on authenticity versus artifice.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of Conrad's shallow world: his best friend Dylan, his meaningless social encounters, his intellectual pretensions, and his complete financial dependence on his parents. We see the luxury apartment, his failed novel, and his emotionally stunted relationships.
Disruption
Conrad's parents cut him off completely and evict him from the hotel suite. They reveal they're divorcing and he must immediately leave. His entire foundation of wealth and security is yanked away in a single conversation.
Resistance
Conrad debates his options while crashing with Dylan. He resists accepting responsibility, makes half-hearted attempts to find work, and struggles with the reality of having no money or prospects. Dylan serves as reluctant mentor, offering couch space and advice.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Conrad meets Beatrice at a gallery event and becomes instantly infatuated. He makes the active choice to pursue her romantically, entering the new world of genuine emotional vulnerability despite learning she's involved with Dylan.
Mirror World
Beatrice represents everything Conrad isn't: authentic, emotionally honest, and substantive. Their developing relationship becomes the mirror that will reflect his shallowness and force him to confront who he really is versus who he pretends to be.
Premise
The promise of a romantic comedy: Conrad courts Beatrice with elaborate dates he can't afford, using borrowed money and Dylan's apartment. Charming montages of their connection, intellectual conversations, and growing intimacy. The fun of watching a privileged man pretend to be substantial.
Midpoint
False victory: Conrad and Beatrice sleep together and she suggests he might be "the one." He believes he's successfully transformed into a better person and won genuine love. But this is built on deception - she doesn't know about his friendship with Dylan or his lies.
Opposition
The walls close in: Dylan grows suspicious and hurt, Conrad's financial lies become harder to maintain, Beatrice starts asking questions about his past. Conrad's character flaws - narcissism, dishonesty, cowardice - sabotage the relationship. Tension with Dylan escalates.
Collapse
Dylan confronts Conrad about betraying him by pursuing Beatrice. The truth comes out: Conrad has been lying to both of them. Beatrice discovers his deception and both relationships die. Conrad is alone, broke, and exposed as a fraud.
Crisis
Conrad wallows in self-pity and isolation. He processes the loss of Beatrice, the destruction of his friendship with Dylan, and the death of his illusions about himself. Dark night of forced self-reflection in his empty borrowed apartment.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Conrad has a realization: he must be honest for the first time in his life. He chooses genuine vulnerability over ego protection. He decides to apologize to Dylan and tell Beatrice the complete truth with no expectation of forgiveness.
Synthesis
Conrad executes his apology plan: he makes amends with Dylan, confesses everything to Beatrice, and accepts the consequences. He doesn't manipulate or scheme. The finale is his attempt at authentic human connection even if it means rejection.
Transformation
Conrad narrates his transformed state: still broke, still flawed, but no longer hiding behind artifice. The closing image mirrors the opening but shows growth - he's uncertain about the future but finally authentic. Whether he gets the girl is less important than becoming real.