The Milagro Beanfield War
In the tiny town of Milagro, New Mexico, where the local water is a premium resource, shady developer Ladd Devine has conceived a glitzy resort that will ultimately siphon off all the water from the neighboring crop-fields. When handyman and farmer Joe Mondragon accidentally breaks a water valve reserved for major companies, he inadvertently sets off a small-scale water-rights war between the farmers and the developers.
The film underperformed commercially against its moderate budget of $22.0M, earning $14.0M globally (-36% loss). While initial box office returns were modest, the film has gained appreciation for its unconventional structure within the comedy genre.
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 Milagro Beanfield War (1988) exhibits deliberately positioned narrative design, characteristic of Robert Redford's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 57 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.1, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 2 minutes (2% through the runtime) establishes The sleepy town of Milagro, New Mexico is introduced - a struggling community where locals work odd jobs, the land is dry, and developer Ladd Devine's resort looms over the valley. Joe Mondragon fixes his broken truck, embodying the working-class struggle.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 14 minutes when Joe Mondragon impulsively kicks open the sluice gate and irrigates his dead beanfield with water legally reserved for Devine's development. This single act of defiance disrupts the status quo and sets the conflict in motion.. 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 29 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to Joe makes the active choice to continue irrigating and defending his beanfield publicly, refusing Sheriff Montoya's offer to quietly shut it down. He commits to the fight, knowing it will bring consequences., moving from reaction to action.
At 57 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 49% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat False victory: A town meeting shows massive community support for Joe. The beanfield is flourishing, spirits are high, and it seems like people power might actually win. But Devine and Montana escalate their intimidation tactics, raising the stakes significantly., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 86 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Amarante Cordova, the spiritual heart of the community and keeper of its history, dies. His death represents the passing of the old ways and threatens to break the community's resolve. Without their elder's wisdom and guidance, the fight seems lost., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 94 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 81% of the runtime. At Amarante's funeral, the community experiences collective catharsis and renewed purpose. They realize that Amarante's spirit lives on through their resistance. Joe understands that this isn't about one beanfield - it's about preserving their culture and dignity for future generations., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Milagro Beanfield War's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping The Milagro Beanfield War against these established plot points, we can identify how Robert Redford utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Milagro Beanfield War within the comedy genre.
Robert Redford's Structural Approach
Among the 8 Robert Redford films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.2, reflecting strong command of classical structure. The Milagro Beanfield War takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Robert Redford filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Robert Redford analyses, see Quiz Show, The Legend of Bagger Vance and Ordinary People.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
The sleepy town of Milagro, New Mexico is introduced - a struggling community where locals work odd jobs, the land is dry, and developer Ladd Devine's resort looms over the valley. Joe Mondragon fixes his broken truck, embodying the working-class struggle.
Theme
Amarante Cordova, the old sage, speaks about the land belonging to the people and water rights being the soul of the community. "Without water, we got nothing. The land is who we are."
Worldbuilding
Establishment of Milagro's community dynamics: Ladd Devine's development plans, Sheriff Montoya caught between sides, Ruby Archuleta's activist energy, lawyer Charlie Bloom's idealism, and the townspeople's resignation to poverty and water scarcity.
Disruption
Joe Mondragon impulsively kicks open the sluice gate and irrigates his dead beanfield with water legally reserved for Devine's development. This single act of defiance disrupts the status quo and sets the conflict in motion.
Resistance
Joe debates whether to continue - his wife Nancy is worried, Sheriff Montoya warns him, but Ruby and Charlie encourage him. The town watches nervously as news spreads. Joe plants beans, and the field becomes a symbol of resistance despite the danger.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Joe makes the active choice to continue irrigating and defending his beanfield publicly, refusing Sheriff Montoya's offer to quietly shut it down. He commits to the fight, knowing it will bring consequences.
Mirror World
Charlie Bloom and his wife Linda represent the idealistic counterpoint - educated outsiders who believe in justice and community organizing. They begin planning legal strategy and rallying support, embodying the theme of collective action versus individual survival.
Premise
The promise of the premise: the beanfield becomes a community cause. Media attention grows, townspeople take sides, Devine hires an enforcer (Kyril Montana), and the field thrives. Comedic and dramatic moments as the little guy defies the powerful developer.
Midpoint
False victory: A town meeting shows massive community support for Joe. The beanfield is flourishing, spirits are high, and it seems like people power might actually win. But Devine and Montana escalate their intimidation tactics, raising the stakes significantly.
Opposition
Pressure intensifies: Montana's thugs threaten locals, Governor sends state police, FBI investigates, Devine's lawyers file injunctions. Internal divisions emerge - some townspeople want Joe to quit. Nancy grows increasingly fearful. Sheriff Montoya is torn between duty and community.
Collapse
Amarante Cordova, the spiritual heart of the community and keeper of its history, dies. His death represents the passing of the old ways and threatens to break the community's resolve. Without their elder's wisdom and guidance, the fight seems lost.
Crisis
The community mourns Amarante and processes the weight of their struggle. Joe questions whether his beanfield is worth the pain he's caused. The town faces the reality that they might lose everything - their land, their water, their way of life.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
At Amarante's funeral, the community experiences collective catharsis and renewed purpose. They realize that Amarante's spirit lives on through their resistance. Joe understands that this isn't about one beanfield - it's about preserving their culture and dignity for future generations.
Synthesis
The finale: Armed with legal strategies from Charlie and united community support, they prepare for the final confrontation. Montana and state police arrive to shut down the field, but the entire town stands together at the beanfield in peaceful resistance, forcing a standoff that Devine cannot win without violence.
Transformation
Joe stands in his thriving beanfield surrounded by his community. The field endures, water still flows, and Milagro remains intact. Where the opening showed a broken-down man fixing his truck alone, the closing shows a community united, dignified, and in control of their destiny.