The One and Only
When kitchen fitter Niller comes to install Sus's new suite, their immediate attraction to one another proves a sweet escape from both of their problematic relationships.
The film earned $5.4M 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 One and Only (1999) showcases deliberately positioned narrative architecture, characteristic of Susanne Bier's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 46 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.3, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Andy Schmidt is an egotistical college theater student who believes he's destined for greatness, dominating the drama department with his oversized personality and talent.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when Andy graduates and discovers that despite his talent, no one in New York theater will hire him - his reputation and ego have preceded him, and doors slam shut.. 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 27 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to Andy makes the choice to become a professional wrestler, rebranding his theatrical skills for the ring. He actively decides to pursue this unconventional path despite it seeming beneath him., moving from reaction to action.
At 52 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 49% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat Andy achieves wrestling success and recognition, becoming a star in the ring. It seems like he's found his path - a false victory, as his ego grows even larger and he loses sight of what matters., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 78 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Mary leaves Andy, unable to tolerate his ego and self-absorption any longer. He loses the one person who truly believed in him - the death of his most important relationship and his chance at genuine connection., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 84 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Andy realizes that his talent was never the problem - his inability to value others was. He synthesizes his gifts with genuine humility and decides to change, understanding that performance and authenticity aren't mutually exclusive., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The One and Only's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping The One and Only against these established plot points, we can identify how Susanne Bier utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The One and Only within the comedy genre.
Susanne Bier's Structural Approach
Among the 4 Susanne Bier films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.2, reflecting strong command of classical structure. The One and Only represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Susanne Bier filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Susanne Bier analyses, see Love Is All You Need, In a Better World and Serena.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Andy Schmidt is an egotistical college theater student who believes he's destined for greatness, dominating the drama department with his oversized personality and talent.
Theme
Mary Crawford tells Andy that being "the one and only" means nothing if you're alone - real success requires connection and humility, not just talent.
Worldbuilding
Andy's college world is established: his theatrical ambitions, his romance with Mary, his obliviousness to others, and his assumption that Broadway stardom awaits him after graduation.
Disruption
Andy graduates and discovers that despite his talent, no one in New York theater will hire him - his reputation and ego have preceded him, and doors slam shut.
Resistance
Andy struggles to find work while Mary supports them. He resists "lowering himself" to other jobs, debates giving up his dreams, and wrestles with his pride as reality sets in.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Andy makes the choice to become a professional wrestler, rebranding his theatrical skills for the ring. He actively decides to pursue this unconventional path despite it seeming beneath him.
Mirror World
Andy meets his wrestling mentor and the wrestling community, a world that values showmanship and entertainment differently - where his theatrical nature is an asset, not a liability.
Premise
Andy explores professional wrestling, creating his persona "The Lover," learning the ropes, performing, and discovering that his theatrical skills translate perfectly to wrestling entertainment. The fun premise of actor-becomes-wrestler plays out.
Midpoint
Andy achieves wrestling success and recognition, becoming a star in the ring. It seems like he's found his path - a false victory, as his ego grows even larger and he loses sight of what matters.
Opposition
Andy's success goes to his head. His ego alienates Mary and others around him. His old patterns of self-centered behavior intensify, and the pressure of fame reveals he hasn't actually changed or grown.
Collapse
Mary leaves Andy, unable to tolerate his ego and self-absorption any longer. He loses the one person who truly believed in him - the death of his most important relationship and his chance at genuine connection.
Crisis
Andy confronts his emptiness. Despite his success, he's alone. He reflects on Mary's earlier words about being "the one and only" meaning nothing without connection, and processes his loss in darkness.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Andy realizes that his talent was never the problem - his inability to value others was. He synthesizes his gifts with genuine humility and decides to change, understanding that performance and authenticity aren't mutually exclusive.
Synthesis
Andy takes action to win Mary back and prove he's changed. He uses his platform and talents not for ego but for genuine expression, demonstrating through actions that he's finally learned to put others first.
Transformation
Andy and Mary reunite. He's still theatrical and talented, but now tempered with humility and genuine care for others. He's learned to be "the one and only" in a way that includes rather than excludes.