The Sting II
Lonnegan is planning to get back at Gondorff and Hooker for bilking him out of half a million. At the same time Gondorff and Hooker are planning their next caper. And their mark is a man named Macalinski, who makes Lonnegan look like a pussycat. Their con is boxing match and Hooker is the fighter whom they have to make look good but Macalinski needs some convincing, and Hooker is a little rusty.
The film earned $6.3M at the global box office.
Nominated for 1 Oscar. 1 nomination
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 Sting II (1983) exhibits precise narrative architecture, characteristic of Jeremy Kagan's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 42 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.4, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Fargo Gondorff
Jake Hooker
Macalinski
Veronica
Kid Colors
Gus Meeker
Main Cast & Characters
Fargo Gondorff
Played by Jackie Gleason
A veteran con artist and master grifter who orchestrates an elaborate sting operation against a dangerous mob boss to avenge his friend's murder.
Jake Hooker
Played by Mac Davis
A young, talented grifter who teams up with Gondorff to pull off a complex boxing-related con against the mob.
Macalinski
Played by Karl Malden
A ruthless and vindictive mob boss who becomes the target of the elaborate con after murdering one of Gondorff's associates.
Veronica
Played by Teri Garr
A beautiful and mysterious woman who becomes romantically involved with Hooker and plays a crucial role in the con.
Kid Colors
Played by Oliver Reed
A loyal member of Gondorff's crew who assists in executing the elaborate sting operation.
Gus Meeker
Played by Bert Remsen
A seasoned grifter and trusted ally who helps set up the boxing con and serves as part of Gondorff's team.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Fargo Gondorff is running small-time boxing cons with his crew in the Depression-era underworld, still living as a skilled grifter but without the big score.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Veronica Salerno approaches Gondorff with a proposition to con Doyle Lonnegan's rival, gangster Macalinski, who murdered her brother. Personal stakes are introduced.. 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 25% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to Gondorff commits to the con and the team puts their elaborate fake gambling operation into motion, setting up the Big Store., moving from reaction to action.
At 50 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat Macalinski takes the bait and makes his first big bet. The con appears to be working perfectly, but the stakes are now higher and more dangerous., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 76 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The con appears to fall apart when Macalinski discovers the deception. A crew member is killed, and Gondorff faces losing everything including his life., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 81 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Gondorff realizes the collapse was part of an even deeper con. He synthesizes a final play that uses Macalinski's paranoia against him., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Sting II'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 Sting II against these established plot points, we can identify how Jeremy Kagan utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Sting II within the comedy genre.
Jeremy Kagan's Structural Approach
Among the 3 Jeremy Kagan films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.0, reflecting strong command of classical structure. The Sting II represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Jeremy Kagan filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Bad Guys, Ella Enchanted and The Evening Star. For more Jeremy Kagan analyses, see The Big Fix, The Journey of Natty Gann.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Fargo Gondorff is running small-time boxing cons with his crew in the Depression-era underworld, still living as a skilled grifter but without the big score.
Theme
Hooker tells Gondorff: "The bigger the con, the more pieces have to fall into place." Theme: Success requires perfect coordination and trust.
Worldbuilding
Introduction of Gondorff's crew, the boxing con operation, and the 1930s grifter underworld. Establishes the relationships and skills of the team.
Disruption
Veronica Salerno approaches Gondorff with a proposition to con Doyle Lonnegan's rival, gangster Macalinski, who murdered her brother. Personal stakes are introduced.
Resistance
Gondorff debates whether to take the job, reunites with Hooker, and assembles the team. They research Macalinski and plan the elaborate con.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Gondorff commits to the con and the team puts their elaborate fake gambling operation into motion, setting up the Big Store.
Mirror World
Gondorff and Veronica's relationship deepens, representing the personal stakes and trust issues that mirror the con itself.
Premise
The team executes the con with elaborate disguises and setups. Macalinski is drawn into the fake operation. Multiple layers of deception unfold.
Midpoint
Macalinski takes the bait and makes his first big bet. The con appears to be working perfectly, but the stakes are now higher and more dangerous.
Opposition
Complications arise as Macalinski becomes suspicious. Internal tensions in the crew surface. Veronica's true motives are questioned. The con becomes increasingly precarious.
Collapse
The con appears to fall apart when Macalinski discovers the deception. A crew member is killed, and Gondorff faces losing everything including his life.
Crisis
Gondorff must decide whether to abandon the con or risk everything. The team regroups in the face of apparent failure and mortal danger.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Gondorff realizes the collapse was part of an even deeper con. He synthesizes a final play that uses Macalinski's paranoia against him.
Synthesis
The final layer of the con is executed. Macalinski is completely deceived, and the crew escapes with the money. All pieces fall into place.
Transformation
Gondorff and the crew part ways with the score, having pulled off the perfect con. Unlike the opening, they're now vindicated and successful.