You, Me and Dupree
For newlyweds Carl and Molly Peterson, life can't get any sweeter as they begin anew to settle down into married life. With a nice house and established careers in tow, nothing seems to get in their way. However, Carl is about find out just how much friendship means when Dupree, his best friend has been displaced from his home and fired from his job because of attending their wedding. Taking his friend in, what Carl and Molly are about to experience is that the fine line between a few days and whatever else is after, can be a lot more than they bargained for. Especially when their friend overstays his welcome in far too many ways than he should.
Despite a moderate budget of $54.0M, You, Me and Dupree became a box office success, earning $130.6M worldwide—a 142% return.
3 wins & 2 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%)
You, Me and Dupree (2006) reveals precise dramatic framework, characteristic of Anthony Russo's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 48 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.4, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Carl and Molly's wedding ceremony. Happy newlyweds celebrating their perfect day, surrounded by friends and family, representing their optimistic view of married life ahead.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when Dupree shows up at Carl and Molly's door, homeless and jobless after being evicted. His arrival disrupts the newlyweds' carefully planned life together.. 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 26 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to Dupree officially moves in with Carl and Molly. They set up the couch for him, marking the beginning of their unconventional three-person household and the complications that will follow., moving from reaction to action.
At 53 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat Carl discovers Dupree and Molly having an intimate conversation. His paranoia peaks as Mr. Thompson also questions Carl's commitment to the job, creating false suspicion that leads Carl to believe his marriage and career are both threatened., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 79 minutes (73% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Carl violently attacks Dupree and throws him out of the house in a fit of jealous rage. Molly witnesses Carl's uncontrolled behavior and is horrified. The marriage appears to be over as Molly leaves Carl, disgusted by who he has become., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 85 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Carl has a revelation: he needs to stand up to Mr. Thompson and reclaim his autonomy. He realizes Dupree was never the problem - Carl's inability to set boundaries and be himself was destroying everything., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
You, Me and Dupree's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping You, Me and Dupree against these established plot points, we can identify how Anthony Russo utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish You, Me and Dupree within the comedy genre.
Anthony Russo's Structural Approach
Among the 2 Anthony Russo films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.2, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. You, Me and Dupree represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Anthony Russo filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Anthony Russo analyses, see Avengers: Endgame.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Carl and Molly's wedding ceremony. Happy newlyweds celebrating their perfect day, surrounded by friends and family, representing their optimistic view of married life ahead.
Theme
Dupree's wedding toast about friendship and change. He philosophizes about how relationships evolve and the importance of staying true to yourself while adapting to new circumstances.
Worldbuilding
Establishing Carl and Molly's honeymoon, their return to work at her father's company, Carl's strained relationship with his demanding father-in-law Mr. Thompson, and Dupree's carefree bachelor lifestyle that leads to him losing his job and apartment.
Disruption
Dupree shows up at Carl and Molly's door, homeless and jobless after being evicted. His arrival disrupts the newlyweds' carefully planned life together.
Resistance
Carl and Molly debate whether to let Dupree stay temporarily. Molly is hesitant while Carl feels obligated to help his best friend. They agree to let him stay "just a few days" despite reservations about how it will affect their marriage.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Dupree officially moves in with Carl and Molly. They set up the couch for him, marking the beginning of their unconventional three-person household and the complications that will follow.
Mirror World
Dupree bonds with Molly, offering her a perspective on life and marriage that differs from Carl's corporate-driven mindset. He represents the freedom and authenticity that the newlyweds are sacrificing.
Premise
The "fun and games" of Dupree living with the couple. Comic mishaps include Dupree accidentally burning down their garage, watching pornography, throwing parties, and generally creating chaos while Carl struggles to balance work demands from Mr. Thompson with his deteriorating home life.
Midpoint
Carl discovers Dupree and Molly having an intimate conversation. His paranoia peaks as Mr. Thompson also questions Carl's commitment to the job, creating false suspicion that leads Carl to believe his marriage and career are both threatened.
Opposition
Tensions escalate. Carl becomes increasingly jealous and controlling. Mr. Thompson manipulates Carl into working excessive hours and missing important moments with Molly. Dupree actually starts to mature and get his life together, which ironically makes Carl more insecure.
Collapse
Carl violently attacks Dupree and throws him out of the house in a fit of jealous rage. Molly witnesses Carl's uncontrolled behavior and is horrified. The marriage appears to be over as Molly leaves Carl, disgusted by who he has become.
Crisis
Carl sits alone in the dark, realizing he has destroyed his friendships and marriage by losing himself to corporate pressure and jealousy. He reflects on how he abandoned his true self trying to please Mr. Thompson.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Carl has a revelation: he needs to stand up to Mr. Thompson and reclaim his autonomy. He realizes Dupree was never the problem - Carl's inability to set boundaries and be himself was destroying everything.
Synthesis
Carl confronts Mr. Thompson, quitting his job and asserting his independence. He reconciles with Dupree, apologizing for his behavior. He makes a grand gesture to win back Molly, proving he has learned to prioritize their relationship over external pressures.
Transformation
Carl and Molly are shown happy together in their home, now with healthy boundaries. Dupree has found success and purpose in his own life. The final image shows the trio as friends again, but with Carl and Molly's marriage properly prioritized - a balanced life achieved.