With Honors
Convinced he'll graduate with honors because of his thesis paper, a stuffy Harvard student finds his paper being held hostage by a homeless man, who might be the guy to school the young man in life.
The film earned $20.0M 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%)
With Honors (1994) reveals deliberately positioned story structure, characteristic of Alek Keshishian's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 43 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.7, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Monty Kessler works obsessively on his senior thesis at Harvard, isolated in the library basement, consumed by academic ambition and disconnected from authentic human experience.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when Monty's only copy of his thesis falls through a grate into the Harvard boiler room, where homeless man Simon Wilder finds it and refuses to return it unless Monty meets his demands.. At 13% through the film, this Disruption is delayed, allowing extended setup of the story world. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 26 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to Monty reluctantly agrees to let Simon stay in their house temporarily to get his thesis back, crossing the threshold from his ordered academic world into an uncomfortable arrangement that will challenge everything he believes., moving from reaction to action.
At 52 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat Simon brilliantly debates Professor Pitkannan in class about the Constitution as a living document, humiliating the professor and earning the students' admiration—a false victory that deepens their bond but also raises the stakes., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 77 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Simon collapses and is hospitalized. His terminal diagnosis is confirmed—he has only weeks to live. Monty faces losing the mentor who has taught him more about life than all his years at Harvard., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 83 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Monty decides to take Simon home to die with dignity, fulfilling Simon's wish to return to his hometown. He chooses human connection over academic obligation, finally understanding Simon's lessons about what makes a life meaningful., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
With Honors'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 With Honors against these established plot points, we can identify how Alek Keshishian utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish With Honors within the comedy genre.
Alek Keshishian's Structural Approach
Among the 2 Alek Keshishian films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.0, reflecting strong command of classical structure. With Honors takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Alek Keshishian filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Bad Guys, Ella Enchanted and The Evening Star. For more Alek Keshishian analyses, see Love and Other Disasters.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Monty Kessler works obsessively on his senior thesis at Harvard, isolated in the library basement, consumed by academic ambition and disconnected from authentic human experience.
Theme
Monty's roommate Everett comments on his singular focus on grades and honors, suggesting that true education means more than academic achievement—foreshadowing the lesson Simon will teach.
Worldbuilding
We meet Monty and his housemates—Everett, Jeff, and Courtney—at their shared Harvard residence. Monty's obsession with his thesis and graduating summa cum laude is established, along with his strained relationship with his demanding professor, Pitkannan.
Disruption
Monty's only copy of his thesis falls through a grate into the Harvard boiler room, where homeless man Simon Wilder finds it and refuses to return it unless Monty meets his demands.
Resistance
Monty desperately tries to retrieve his thesis from Simon, who holds it hostage. Simon offers to return pages one at a time in exchange for food, shelter, and favors—forcing Monty into an unwanted negotiation with a man he considers beneath him.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Monty reluctantly agrees to let Simon stay in their house temporarily to get his thesis back, crossing the threshold from his ordered academic world into an uncomfortable arrangement that will challenge everything he believes.
Mirror World
Simon begins sharing his unconventional wisdom with the housemates, revealing he was once a Harvard student himself. His philosophical perspective on life and the Constitution offers a thematic counterpoint to Monty's academic approach.
Premise
Simon integrates into the household, dispensing life lessons and challenging each roommate's assumptions. He debates Professor Pitkannan about the Constitution, helps Courtney with her singing, and slowly earns Monty's grudging respect through genuine wisdom.
Midpoint
Simon brilliantly debates Professor Pitkannan in class about the Constitution as a living document, humiliating the professor and earning the students' admiration—a false victory that deepens their bond but also raises the stakes.
Opposition
Tensions rise as Simon's health deteriorates from his years on the street. Professor Pitkannan threatens Monty's academic standing. The housemates learn Simon is dying from asbestosis. Monty must confront his priorities as Simon's condition worsens.
Collapse
Simon collapses and is hospitalized. His terminal diagnosis is confirmed—he has only weeks to live. Monty faces losing the mentor who has taught him more about life than all his years at Harvard.
Crisis
Monty grapples with Simon's impending death and what it means for his own life choices. He must decide what truly matters—academic honors or honoring the man who became his unexpected teacher and friend.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Monty decides to take Simon home to die with dignity, fulfilling Simon's wish to return to his hometown. He chooses human connection over academic obligation, finally understanding Simon's lessons about what makes a life meaningful.
Synthesis
Monty takes Simon to his hometown where Simon reconnects with his estranged son before dying peacefully. Monty returns to Harvard transformed, delivering his thesis defense not as an academic exercise but as a tribute to what Simon taught him.
Transformation
Monty graduates—not summa cum laude but "with honors"—and we see him walking across Harvard Yard with his housemates, no longer isolated but connected, having learned that true honor comes from how we live, not what we achieve.