The Tuxedo
Cabbie-turned-chauffeur Jimmy Tong learns there is really only one rule when you work for playboy millionaire Clark Devlin : Never touch Devlin's prized tuxedo. But when Devlin is temporarily put out of commission in an explosive accident, Jimmy puts on the tux and soon discovers that this extraordinary suit may be more black belt than black tie. Paired with a partner as inexperienced as he is, Jimmy becomes an unwitting secret agent.
Working with a mid-range budget of $60.0M, the film achieved a respectable showing with $104.4M in global revenue (+74% 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 Tuxedo (2002) demonstrates meticulously timed narrative architecture, characteristic of Kevin Donovan's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 38 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 Jimmy Tong is a skilled taxi driver in New York, masterfully navigating traffic while maintaining perfect service. He's capable but stuck in a service role, dreaming of something more.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Devlin is seriously injured in a skateboard bomb attack, leaving him hospitalized and unable to speak. Jimmy discovers the high-tech tuxedo and Devlin's secret agent life.. 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 reveals the protagonist's commitment to Jimmy makes the active choice to fully assume Devlin's identity and accept the mission to investigate the water contamination plot, partnering with CSA agent Del Blaine., moving from reaction to action.
At 48 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 49% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat Jimmy and Del infiltrate the villain's facility and discover the plan to contaminate the world's water supply with bacteria, then sell the cure. A false victory as they think they're closing in, but the stakes are now clear and enormous., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 73 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The tuxedo is destroyed/damaged, stripping Jimmy of his powers. Del is captured by the villains. Jimmy is exposed as a fraud and loses everything - his abilities, his partner, and his confidence., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 78 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Jimmy realizes he has skills and courage independent of the tuxedo. He synthesizes his natural abilities (driving, quick thinking, bravery) with what he learned as a spy to mount a final rescue., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Tuxedo'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 Tuxedo against these established plot points, we can identify how Kevin Donovan utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Tuxedo within the thriller genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional thriller films include Eye for an Eye, Lake Placid and Operation Finale.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Jimmy Tong is a skilled taxi driver in New York, masterfully navigating traffic while maintaining perfect service. He's capable but stuck in a service role, dreaming of something more.
Theme
Clark Devlin tells Jimmy: "The suit doesn't make the man, the man makes the suit." This establishes the film's core question about whether tools/equipment or inner character determine success.
Worldbuilding
Jimmy impresses billionaire Clark Devlin with his driving skills and is hired as his chauffeur. We learn Devlin is actually a secret agent with advanced technology, living a double life of glamour and espionage.
Disruption
Devlin is seriously injured in a skateboard bomb attack, leaving him hospitalized and unable to speak. Jimmy discovers the high-tech tuxedo and Devlin's secret agent life.
Resistance
Jimmy debates whether to put on the tuxedo despite Devlin's warning never to wear it. He experiments with its powers, struggles with the responsibility, and receives mission briefings he doesn't understand.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Jimmy makes the active choice to fully assume Devlin's identity and accept the mission to investigate the water contamination plot, partnering with CSA agent Del Blaine.
Mirror World
Del Blaine is introduced as Jimmy's partner. She represents competence, training, and doing things the "right way" - contrasting with Jimmy's reliance on the suit's technology. Their partnership will teach Jimmy about true capability.
Premise
Jimmy uses the tuxedo's amazing abilities to infiltrate parties, fight henchmen, and investigate the villain's water company. The "fun and games" of being a super-spy with gadget powers, though he's clearly out of his depth without the suit.
Midpoint
Jimmy and Del infiltrate the villain's facility and discover the plan to contaminate the world's water supply with bacteria, then sell the cure. A false victory as they think they're closing in, but the stakes are now clear and enormous.
Opposition
The villains grow more aggressive, Del discovers Jimmy isn't the real Devlin, trust is broken, and Jimmy's over-reliance on the suit nearly gets them both killed. His inexperience and deception catch up with him.
Collapse
The tuxedo is destroyed/damaged, stripping Jimmy of his powers. Del is captured by the villains. Jimmy is exposed as a fraud and loses everything - his abilities, his partner, and his confidence.
Crisis
Jimmy faces his darkest moment without the suit, doubting himself and whether he can rescue Del or stop the plot. He must find courage within himself rather than relying on technology.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Jimmy realizes he has skills and courage independent of the tuxedo. He synthesizes his natural abilities (driving, quick thinking, bravery) with what he learned as a spy to mount a final rescue.
Synthesis
Jimmy infiltrates the villain's headquarters, rescues Del, and defeats the antagonist using both the repaired suit AND his own capabilities. The finale proves the man makes the suit, not vice versa.
Transformation
Jimmy is now a confident agent in his own right, partnered with Del as equals. He wears the tuxedo but no longer needs it to define him - transformed from insecure chauffeur to self-assured hero.