The Story of Us
After 15 years of marriage, Katie and her husband, Ben, have grown apart. While they keep up the facade of having a contented marriage, mostly to not worry their children, they aren't happy together and argue frequently. While the kids are away at camp, Katie and Ben decide to separate and try to reassess their relationship to see if they should stay together or split up for good.
Working with a mid-range budget of $50.0M, the film achieved a modest success with $58.9M in global revenue (+18% profit margin).
1 win & 4 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 Story of Us (1999) exhibits carefully calibrated story structure, characteristic of Rob Reiner's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 36 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.9, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Ben Jordan
Katie Jordan
Rachel
Dave
Liza
Stan
Marty
Dot
Main Cast & Characters
Ben Jordan
Played by Bruce Willis
A successful comedy writer struggling to save his 15-year marriage, using humor as both connection and defense mechanism.
Katie Jordan
Played by Michelle Pfeiffer
A crossword puzzle editor and devoted mother who craves emotional depth and structure in her marriage but feels increasingly disconnected from her husband.
Rachel
Played by Rita Wilson
Katie's supportive best friend who provides advice and perspective during the marital crisis.
Dave
Played by Rob Reiner
Ben's loyal friend and confidant who offers male perspective on the marriage troubles.
Liza
Played by Julie Hagerty
One of Katie's close friends who provides emotional support and commentary on the relationship.
Stan
Played by Paul Reiser
A friend of the Jordans who offers observations about marriage and relationships.
Marty
Played by Tim Matheson
Part of the friend group surrounding Ben and Katie, providing comedic relief and relationship commentary.
Dot
Played by Betty White
A friend who participates in group discussions about love and marriage.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Ben and Katie Jordan sit in tense silence at their dining table, their marriage clearly strained and broken, establishing the "present day" crisis before flashing back to show how they got here.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Ben and Katie have a massive explosive fight that crosses the line into truly hurtful territory, revealing that their communication has completely broken down and their daily irritations have reached a breaking point.. 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 24 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to Ben and Katie actively choose to separate during the trial period, with Ben moving to the guest room. They commit to honestly examining whether their marriage is worth saving - crossing into the uncertainty of potential divorce., moving from reaction to action.
At 49 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 51% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat Ben and Katie have a breakthrough conversation where they connect emotionally and physically, sleeping together and briefly rekindling hope that they can recapture what they once had - a false victory suggesting reconciliation is possible., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 71 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Ben and Katie have their final devastating fight, admitting they may be fundamentally incompatible. Katie suggests they stop pretending and accept the death of their marriage, representing the death of their dream of forever., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 77 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. The kids return from camp, forcing Ben and Katie to confront what their decision really means. This catalyzes a realization that their love story - flawed as it is - is worth fighting for, and that marriage requires choosing each other again and again., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Story of Us's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping The Story of Us against these established plot points, we can identify how Rob Reiner utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Story of Us within the drama genre.
Rob Reiner's Structural Approach
Among the 17 Rob Reiner films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.9, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. The Story of Us represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Rob Reiner filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional drama films include After Thomas, South Pacific and Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights. For more Rob Reiner analyses, see The Sure Thing, The American President and The Princess Bride.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Ben and Katie Jordan sit in tense silence at their dining table, their marriage clearly strained and broken, establishing the "present day" crisis before flashing back to show how they got here.
Theme
At a dinner party, a friend discusses the difficulty of making relationships work long-term, stating "Love isn't enough" - the central thematic question of whether passionate love can survive the reality of daily life.
Worldbuilding
Through flashbacks, we see Ben and Katie's early courtship and marriage - their passionate romance, their quirky compatibility, building their life together, having children, and the gradual accumulation of small conflicts and incompatibilities.
Disruption
Ben and Katie have a massive explosive fight that crosses the line into truly hurtful territory, revealing that their communication has completely broken down and their daily irritations have reached a breaking point.
Resistance
They decide to send their kids to summer camp and use the time to figure out their marriage. Both debate internally and with friends whether the relationship can be saved, consulting their social circle who offer conflicting advice.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Ben and Katie actively choose to separate during the trial period, with Ben moving to the guest room. They commit to honestly examining whether their marriage is worth saving - crossing into the uncertainty of potential divorce.
Mirror World
Interactions with their coupled friends and their marriage counselor serve as a mirror, showing different approaches to long-term relationships - some who settled, some who work at it, highlighting the central question of what makes love last.
Premise
Ben and Katie navigate their separation within the same house, oscillating between tender memories of their past, present-day conflicts, awkward politeness, and moments of connection, exploring whether they can bridge the gap between who they were and who they've become.
Midpoint
Ben and Katie have a breakthrough conversation where they connect emotionally and physically, sleeping together and briefly rekindling hope that they can recapture what they once had - a false victory suggesting reconciliation is possible.
Opposition
The temporary reconciliation fails as old patterns reassert themselves. Their fundamental incompatibilities - Ben's need for spontaneity versus Katie's need for order - create new conflicts. The weight of their shared history becomes both a bond and a burden.
Collapse
Ben and Katie have their final devastating fight, admitting they may be fundamentally incompatible. Katie suggests they stop pretending and accept the death of their marriage, representing the death of their dream of forever.
Crisis
Both Ben and Katie separately process the impending end of their marriage, grieving what they're losing while acknowledging the relief of potentially ending the struggle. They face the dark reality of divorce and its impact on their family.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
The kids return from camp, forcing Ben and Katie to confront what their decision really means. This catalyzes a realization that their love story - flawed as it is - is worth fighting for, and that marriage requires choosing each other again and again.
Synthesis
Ben delivers an emotional speech to Katie about their shared history and why their imperfect story matters. They acknowledge their flaws and incompatibilities while choosing to recommit, understanding that lasting love requires active choice, not just passion.
Transformation
Ben and Katie sit together at the same dining table from the opening, but now with renewed commitment and understanding. They've transformed from a couple passively letting their marriage die to partners actively choosing their imperfect love story.