The Shiny Shrimps
Matthias Le Goff, an Olympic champion at the end of his career, makes a homophobic statement on TV. His punishment: coach the Shiny Shrimps, a flamboyant and amateur gay water-polo team. They have only one thing in mind: to qualify for the Gay Games in Croatia where the hottest international LGBT athletes compete. It's the start of a bumpy and joyful ride - Faster, Higher, Stronger.
Working with a limited budget of $3.5M, the film achieved a steady performer with $4.6M in global revenue (+33% profit margin).
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 Shiny Shrimps (2019) demonstrates carefully calibrated dramatic framework, characteristic of Cédric Le Gallo's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 43 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.1, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Matthias Le Goff celebrates winning a major water polo championship, riding high as a star athlete with sponsorships and fame. His arrogant, self-centered world is at its peak.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Matthias makes a homophobic slur on camera during a televised interview, causing a massive public scandal. His sponsors drop him, his reputation crumbles, and his career is threatened.. 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 25 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to Matthias reluctantly agrees to coach The Shiny Shrimps as a PR stunt to rehabilitate his image. He enters their world with prejudice and condescension, treating it purely as a means to an end., moving from reaction to action.
At 52 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat The team arrives at the Gay Games in Croatia and experiences their first victories - both in games and in Matthias beginning to genuinely connect with them. A false victory where it seems the mission will succeed, but Matthias hasn't fully transformed yet., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 77 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The team discovers Matthias's true motivation - that he was using them as a publicity stunt all along. They feel betrayed and used. The relationships collapse, trust dies, and the team may disband. Matthias is abandoned and alone, having lost what he didn't know he valued., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 82 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Matthias makes a grand gesture of genuine apology and vulnerability, publicly declaring his authentic change and support for the team. He synthesizes his athletic expertise with his newfound empathy and acceptance, no longer caring about his public image but about doing what's right., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Shiny Shrimps's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping The Shiny Shrimps against these established plot points, we can identify how Cédric Le Gallo utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Shiny Shrimps 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
Matthias Le Goff celebrates winning a major water polo championship, riding high as a star athlete with sponsorships and fame. His arrogant, self-centered world is at its peak.
Theme
A team member or journalist mentions something about respect, inclusion, or what makes a real champion - foreshadowing that Matthias's internal growth will require learning empathy and accepting others.
Worldbuilding
Matthias's privileged life as a champion athlete is established. We see his relationships, his casual homophobia, his endorsement deals, and his inflated ego. The setup reveals his flaws and what he needs to learn.
Disruption
Matthias makes a homophobic slur on camera during a televised interview, causing a massive public scandal. His sponsors drop him, his reputation crumbles, and his career is threatened.
Resistance
Matthias resists accepting responsibility and debates how to salvage his career. His agent and PR team propose various redemption strategies. He's offered a chance to coach The Shiny Shrimps, a gay amateur water polo team, to compete in the Gay Games in Croatia.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Matthias reluctantly agrees to coach The Shiny Shrimps as a PR stunt to rehabilitate his image. He enters their world with prejudice and condescension, treating it purely as a means to an end.
Mirror World
Matthias meets the diverse members of The Shiny Shrimps - each with their own story, personality, and humanity. Particularly Jean, the team captain, who challenges Matthias's assumptions and represents the thematic opposite of his prejudice.
Premise
The fun and games of training montages, culture clashes, comedic moments, and the road trip to Croatia. Matthias begins coaching the ragtag team, facing absurd situations that force him to confront his biases. Bonding moments emerge despite his resistance.
Midpoint
The team arrives at the Gay Games in Croatia and experiences their first victories - both in games and in Matthias beginning to genuinely connect with them. A false victory where it seems the mission will succeed, but Matthias hasn't fully transformed yet.
Opposition
Tensions rise as Matthias's true motivations are questioned. The team faces tougher competition. External pressure from media coverage and internal conflicts emerge. Matthias's old prejudices resurface under stress, threatening the fragile bonds he's formed.
Collapse
The team discovers Matthias's true motivation - that he was using them as a publicity stunt all along. They feel betrayed and used. The relationships collapse, trust dies, and the team may disband. Matthias is abandoned and alone, having lost what he didn't know he valued.
Crisis
Matthias reflects in isolation, processing his genuine loss. He realizes these people became real friends, and his transformation was authentic even if his initial motives weren't. Dark night of the soul where he must decide who he truly wants to be.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Matthias makes a grand gesture of genuine apology and vulnerability, publicly declaring his authentic change and support for the team. He synthesizes his athletic expertise with his newfound empathy and acceptance, no longer caring about his public image but about doing what's right.
Synthesis
The team reunites for the final match. Matthias coaches with genuine heart, combining technical skill with emotional support. The finale shows them competing together, win or lose, as a true team. Resolution of relationships and the competition.
Transformation
Matthias celebrates with The Shiny Shrimps as equals and friends, having genuinely transformed from a homophobic, arrogant athlete into someone who understands empathy, community, and authentic human connection. The closing image mirrors the opening victory but shows internal rather than external triumph.