Undercover Blues
A wise-cracking husband and wife team of ex-Spies arrive in New Orleans on maternity leave with their baby girl. There they are hassled by muggers, the police and their FBI boss, who wants them to do just-one-more job.
The film earned $12.4M 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%)
Undercover Blues (1993) reveals carefully calibrated plot construction, characteristic of Herbert Ross's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 30 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 Jeff and Jane Blue effortlessly handle muggers while strolling through New Orleans with their baby, establishing them as highly skilled yet relaxed spies enjoying family time on vacation.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 10 minutes when The Blues' former agency contact approaches them about a case involving arms dealer Paulina Novacek operating in New Orleans, disrupting their planned vacation and family time.. At 11% 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 23 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to The Blues actively decide to take on the Novacek case, committing to balance their spy work with parenting. They enter the world of the investigation, accepting they can't just be on vacation., moving from reaction to action.
At 45 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat False victory: The Blues get crucial intelligence on Novacek's arms deal and feel they're closing in on stopping her operation. Stakes raise as they realize the deal is bigger and more dangerous than expected., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 66 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The Blues are compromised or captured by Novacek's forces, separated from their baby, and face their lowest point where their attempt to balance family and duty appears to have failed catastrophically., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 72 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Jeff and Jane realize that their strength as spies comes FROM their partnership and family, not despite it. Synthesis of their dual identities gives them the edge to turn the tables on Novacek., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Undercover Blues'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 Undercover Blues against these established plot points, we can identify how Herbert Ross utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Undercover Blues within the comedy genre.
Herbert Ross's Structural Approach
Among the 8 Herbert Ross films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.3, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Undercover Blues takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Herbert Ross filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Herbert Ross analyses, see The Secret of My Success, Footloose and Funny Lady.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Jeff and Jane Blue effortlessly handle muggers while strolling through New Orleans with their baby, establishing them as highly skilled yet relaxed spies enjoying family time on vacation.
Theme
A character comments on balancing work and family, or that "some things are more important than the job" - the film's central question about whether the Blues can maintain their family life while being spies.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to Jeff and Jane's dynamic as partners and parents, their easy competence, New Orleans setting, first encounter with Muerte (the persistent mugger), and establishment of their vacation plans with baby Louise.
Disruption
The Blues' former agency contact approaches them about a case involving arms dealer Paulina Novacek operating in New Orleans, disrupting their planned vacation and family time.
Resistance
Jeff and Jane debate taking the assignment while on parental leave. They gather information about Novacek, deal with childcare logistics, and face repeated interruptions from Muerte. They resist full engagement initially.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
The Blues actively decide to take on the Novacek case, committing to balance their spy work with parenting. They enter the world of the investigation, accepting they can't just be on vacation.
Mirror World
Focus on Jeff and Jane's partnership and romantic relationship deepens - their teamwork and marriage represent the thematic counterpoint showing that work and family can coexist through mutual support and trust.
Premise
The "fun and games" of spy parents in action: elaborate undercover operations while managing baby care, outsmarting Novacek's organization, repeated humorous encounters with Muerte, showcasing their skills and chemistry as partners.
Midpoint
False victory: The Blues get crucial intelligence on Novacek's arms deal and feel they're closing in on stopping her operation. Stakes raise as they realize the deal is bigger and more dangerous than expected.
Opposition
Novacek becomes aware of the Blues' interference and turns the tables. The danger escalates, their cover is threatened, baby Louise is put at increased risk, and Muerte becomes more than just comic relief as complications mount.
Collapse
The Blues are compromised or captured by Novacek's forces, separated from their baby, and face their lowest point where their attempt to balance family and duty appears to have failed catastrophically.
Crisis
Dark moment of doubt where Jeff and Jane question whether they can continue as spies while being parents, processing the danger they've put Louise in and facing the consequences of their choices.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Jeff and Jane realize that their strength as spies comes FROM their partnership and family, not despite it. Synthesis of their dual identities gives them the edge to turn the tables on Novacek.
Synthesis
The finale: Using their combined skills and teamwork perfected through marriage and parenting, the Blues execute a plan to stop Novacek's arms deal, rescue Louise if needed, and even Muerte plays an unexpected role in the resolution.
Transformation
Final image mirrors the opening: Jeff and Jane with baby Louise, still the competent spy couple, but now fully integrated their family life with their professional skills, at peace with both identities, effortlessly handling Muerte one last time.