The Nannies
The provincial businessmen in the tourism industry, who have never really treated seriously family life, children and their work have a very important trip abroad. They dream of successful results in negotiations. But suddenly the responsibility for the three entirely unmanageable children falls to them. Everything would be fine, if they were not the children of a capital business-woman, our heroes’ potential investor. The friends have to deal with the children, their grandmother, who came ostensibly to help, and German rivals, trying not to fail in such an important deal.
The film earned $5.8M 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 Nannies (2012) reveals deliberately positioned narrative design, characteristic of Ashot Keshchyan's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 29 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.2, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Opening image establishes the protagonist's ordinary world as a nanny, showing her daily routine and relationship with the children she cares for.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 11 minutes when A crisis occurs with one of the families or children, disrupting the protagonist's established routine and forcing her to confront difficult choices.. 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 23 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 26% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to The protagonist makes an active choice to take on greater responsibility or pursue a different path, committing to a new course of action., moving from reaction to action.
At 45 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat A revelation or event raises the stakes significantly - perhaps the protagonist's position is threatened, or she discovers something that changes everything., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 67 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The protagonist's situation collapses - she loses her position, faces a personal crisis, or a relationship with one of the children reaches a breaking point., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 71 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. The protagonist has a realization that synthesizes what she's learned about caregiving, love, and self-worth, giving her clarity on how to move forward., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Nannies'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 Nannies against these established plot points, we can identify how Ashot Keshchyan utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Nannies 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
Opening image establishes the protagonist's ordinary world as a nanny, showing her daily routine and relationship with the children she cares for.
Theme
A supporting character remarks on the nature of caregiving and what it means to truly care for someone versus simply performing a job.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to the protagonist's world, the families she works for, her personal struggles, and the social dynamics of domestic work.
Disruption
A crisis occurs with one of the families or children, disrupting the protagonist's established routine and forcing her to confront difficult choices.
Resistance
The protagonist debates how to handle the new situation, seeks advice, and wrestles with her responsibilities versus her own needs.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
The protagonist makes an active choice to take on greater responsibility or pursue a different path, committing to a new course of action.
Mirror World
Introduction or deepening of a key relationship that will help the protagonist understand what truly matters - possibly with another nanny, a parent, or one of the children.
Premise
The protagonist navigates her new reality, exploring what it means to be a caregiver in this changed situation, experiencing both challenges and rewards.
Midpoint
A revelation or event raises the stakes significantly - perhaps the protagonist's position is threatened, or she discovers something that changes everything.
Opposition
Mounting pressures from employers, personal life, and emotional bonds with the children create increasing conflict and difficult choices.
Collapse
The protagonist's situation collapses - she loses her position, faces a personal crisis, or a relationship with one of the children reaches a breaking point.
Crisis
The protagonist processes her loss and confronts her deepest fears about her worth, her role, and what she truly wants.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
The protagonist has a realization that synthesizes what she's learned about caregiving, love, and self-worth, giving her clarity on how to move forward.
Synthesis
The protagonist takes decisive action to resolve the central conflict, drawing on her growth and new understanding to create a better outcome.
Transformation
Final image shows the protagonist in a transformed state - her relationship to her work and the people she cares for has fundamentally changed.