Welcome Aboard
N/A
The film underperformed commercially against its tight budget of $12.0M, earning $9.9M globally (-17% loss).
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Rémy is established as a shallow, self-centered HR executive who coldly fires employees without remorse, showcasing his materialistic lifestyle and emotional disconnection from others.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 11 minutes when Lucie calls Rémy's bluff by announcing she's booked herself onto his supposed cruise, forcing him to either confess his lie or somehow actually become a cruise ship entertainer.. 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 demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to Rémy boards the cruise ship, leaving behind his corporate identity and entering the unfamiliar world of service work and genuine human interaction—a complete reversal of his normal power dynamics., moving from reaction to action.
At 48 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat Rémy successfully performs as an entertainer and wins Lucie's admiration, achieving his original goal. But the victory feels hollow as he realizes his growing feelings for Isabelle represent something more real., 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 (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Rémy's true identity as a corporate executioner is exposed to the entire ship. Isabelle feels betrayed, the crew who befriended him turn their backs, and even Lucie is disgusted by his web of lies. He has lost everyone., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 76 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Rémy decides to make amends not through more lies but through genuine action. He chooses to help a crew member he would have callously fired in his old life, demonstrating real change., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Welcome Aboard'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 Welcome Aboard against these established plot points, we can identify how Eric Lavaine utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Welcome Aboard within the reality-tv genre.
Eric Lavaine's Structural Approach
Among the 2 Eric Lavaine films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.4, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Welcome Aboard exemplifies the director's characteristic narrative technique. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Eric Lavaine filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional reality-tv films include Beginners, The Joneses and Terrace House: Closing Door. For more Eric Lavaine analyses, see Barbecue.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Rémy is established as a shallow, self-centered HR executive who coldly fires employees without remorse, showcasing his materialistic lifestyle and emotional disconnection from others.
Theme
A colleague remarks that Rémy will never find happiness until he stops pretending to be someone he's not—foreshadowing his journey toward authenticity and genuine human connection.
Worldbuilding
Rémy's world of corporate ruthlessness is established: his luxury apartment, superficial relationships, and habit of lying to impress women. He meets the beautiful Lucie at a party and impulsively claims to be a cruise ship entertainer.
Disruption
Lucie calls Rémy's bluff by announcing she's booked herself onto his supposed cruise, forcing him to either confess his lie or somehow actually become a cruise ship entertainer.
Resistance
Rémy desperately tries to secure a position on a cruise ship. He begs, bribes, and manipulates his way into a low-level entertainment job on a Mediterranean cruise, barely qualifying for the position.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Rémy boards the cruise ship, leaving behind his corporate identity and entering the unfamiliar world of service work and genuine human interaction—a complete reversal of his normal power dynamics.
Mirror World
Rémy meets Isabelle, a straightforward, unpretentious woman who works on the ship. Unlike Lucie, she sees through facades and represents authentic connection—the thematic counterpoint to his shallow pursuit.
Premise
Comic misadventures ensue as Rémy struggles with menial tasks while maintaining his charade for Lucie. He gradually develops genuine friendships with the working-class crew members and finds himself drawn to Isabelle's authenticity.
Midpoint
Rémy successfully performs as an entertainer and wins Lucie's admiration, achieving his original goal. But the victory feels hollow as he realizes his growing feelings for Isabelle represent something more real.
Opposition
Rémy's double life becomes increasingly difficult to maintain. Lucie demands more attention while Isabelle grows distant after learning fragments of his deception. His past as a heartless executive threatens to be exposed.
Collapse
Rémy's true identity as a corporate executioner is exposed to the entire ship. Isabelle feels betrayed, the crew who befriended him turn their backs, and even Lucie is disgusted by his web of lies. He has lost everyone.
Crisis
Rémy faces the consequences of his deception alone. He contemplates how empty his old life was and recognizes that the genuine connections he made on the ship were the first real relationships he's ever had.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Rémy decides to make amends not through more lies but through genuine action. He chooses to help a crew member he would have callously fired in his old life, demonstrating real change.
Synthesis
Rémy publicly acknowledges his past wrongs and proves his transformation through selfless acts. He rejects Lucie's superficial world and pursues Isabelle with honest vulnerability, winning back the trust of those he deceived.
Transformation
Rémy, now humble and genuine, is shown in a simple, happy life with Isabelle. The man who once fired people without feeling now values human connection above status—a complete reversal of his opening image.