The Mirror Has Two Faces
Rose and Gregory, both Columbia University professors meet when Rose's sister answers Gregory's "personals" ad. Several times burned, the handsome-but-boring Gregory believes that sex has ruined his life, and has deliberately set out to find and marry a woman with absolutely no sex appeal. Greg thinks he's found what he's looking for in Rose, a plain, plump English Lit professor who can't compete with her gorgeous mother and sister. More out of mutual admiration and respect than love, Greg and Rose marry. Greg assumes that Rose understands that he is not interested in a sexual relationship. He's mistaken, and their marriage is nearly destroyed when Rose tries to consummate their relationship. While Gregory is out of the country on a lecture tour, Rose diets and exercises to transform herself into a sexy siren in a last-ditch attempt to save her marriage.
The film underperformed commercially against its moderate budget of $42.0M, earning $41.1M globally (-2% loss).
Nominated for 2 Oscars. 4 wins & 11 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 Mirror Has Two Faces (1996) reveals deliberately positioned narrative architecture, characteristic of Barbra Streisand's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 6 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 5.9, the film takes an unconventional approach to traditional narrative frameworks.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Rose Morgan teaches passionately about romantic literature but lives alone, invisible to men, ordering Chinese food and grading papers in her cluttered apartment.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 16 minutes when Gregory places a personal ad seeking a purely intellectual companion for marriage without sex, which his colleague Barry shows to Rose, suggesting she might be perfect for this arrangement.. 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 30 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to Rose actively chooses to marry Gregory, accepting his proposal for a passionless marriage based on intellectual compatibility and friendship. They have a small wedding ceremony., moving from reaction to action.
At 64 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat Rose attempts to seduce Gregory, revealing her true romantic and sexual feelings. Gregory rejects her advances, insisting they maintain their agreement. Rose is devastated and humiliated by the rejection., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 94 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Rose discovers Gregory slept with another woman in Paris. She confronts him, and their marriage appears completely destroyed. Rose moves out, returning to her lonely apartment, having lost both the friendship and the dream of love., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 100 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Rose realizes she deserves to be loved completely and finds the courage to declare her feelings publicly. Gregory simultaneously understands that passion and love are not weaknesses to fear but necessary for true connection. Both choose vulnerability over safety., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Mirror Has Two Faces'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 Mirror Has Two Faces against these established plot points, we can identify how Barbra Streisand utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Mirror Has Two Faces within the comedy genre.
Barbra Streisand's Structural Approach
Among the 3 Barbra Streisand films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.5, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. The Mirror Has Two Faces takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Barbra Streisand filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Barbra Streisand analyses, see The Prince of Tides, Yentl.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Rose Morgan teaches passionately about romantic literature but lives alone, invisible to men, ordering Chinese food and grading papers in her cluttered apartment.
Theme
Rose's sister Claire states the theme: "Sex is overrated. You can't build a life on sex alone," foreshadowing the central question of passion versus companionship in relationships.
Worldbuilding
Establishing Rose's world: her passionate teaching, her overbearing mother, her beautiful sister Claire's shallow marriage, and Rose's loneliness. Meanwhile, math professor Gregory Larkin is introduced, also seeking companionship without sexual complications after a painful divorce.
Disruption
Gregory places a personal ad seeking a purely intellectual companion for marriage without sex, which his colleague Barry shows to Rose, suggesting she might be perfect for this arrangement.
Resistance
Rose debates whether to respond to Gregory's ad. They meet awkwardly, discuss their mutual desire for companionship without passion, and cautiously explore whether this arrangement could work. Rose hesitates, consulting with friends and family.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Rose actively chooses to marry Gregory, accepting his proposal for a passionless marriage based on intellectual compatibility and friendship. They have a small wedding ceremony.
Mirror World
Rose and Gregory begin their unconventional married life together, talking for hours, sharing meals, and discovering genuine friendship. Rose begins to fall in love with Gregory, contradicting their original agreement.
Premise
Rose transforms herself physically, becoming more confident and beautiful as she falls deeper in love with Gregory. They enjoy companionship and intellectual connection, but Rose desires physical intimacy while Gregory remains committed to their platonic arrangement. Tension builds as Rose's feelings intensify.
Midpoint
Rose attempts to seduce Gregory, revealing her true romantic and sexual feelings. Gregory rejects her advances, insisting they maintain their agreement. Rose is devastated and humiliated by the rejection.
Opposition
Rose and Gregory's marriage deteriorates. Gregory buries himself in his work and grows distant. Rose becomes depressed and withdrawn. Gregory is invited to present his mathematics work in Paris and considers an affair with a former lover. The emotional distance between them widens.
Collapse
Rose discovers Gregory slept with another woman in Paris. She confronts him, and their marriage appears completely destroyed. Rose moves out, returning to her lonely apartment, having lost both the friendship and the dream of love.
Crisis
Rose sinks into depression, unable to function. Gregory also suffers, realizing what he's lost. Both characters reflect on their mistakes and what they truly need. Rose's mother and sister provide support as she processes the loss.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Rose realizes she deserves to be loved completely and finds the courage to declare her feelings publicly. Gregory simultaneously understands that passion and love are not weaknesses to fear but necessary for true connection. Both choose vulnerability over safety.
Synthesis
Rose crashes Gregory's mathematics lecture and delivers an impassioned speech about love, sex, and emotional honesty in front of hundreds of people. Gregory rushes after her, and they finally confess their love for each other, embracing both intellectual and physical passion.
Transformation
Rose and Gregory together, fully transformed: no longer hiding from passion or settling for less than complete love. They've integrated mind, body, and heart into a whole relationship, both visible and valued.