Yuppies 2
The adventures of the Milanese yuppies continue, always polished, "at home" in via Montenapoleone or at Nepentha, impeccable in dressing and "winning" at work, a little less in private life.
Despite its modest budget of $1.7M, Yuppies 2 became a commercial success, earning $6.0M worldwide—a 250% return. The film's fresh perspective attracted moviegoers, showing that strong storytelling can transcend budget limitations.
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 The yuppie friends reunite at an upscale Milan venue, showcasing their flashy lifestyles, designer clothes, and superficial conversations about money and status—establishing their materialistic world.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when A major business opportunity arises that puts the friends in direct competition with each other, threatening to expose the shallow foundation of their relationships.. 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 25% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to The group decides to embark on an ambitious joint venture, committing to work together despite underlying tensions—choosing partnership over solo competition., moving from reaction to action.
At 52 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat The venture appears to be a major success, and the friends celebrate what seems like the pinnacle of their yuppie dreams—false victory as underlying problems remain hidden., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 78 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The deal falls apart spectacularly, exposing betrayals within the group. The friendships seem destroyed, and everything they've built—both professionally and personally—lies in ruins., indicates 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. Realizing that their friendship—despite its flaws—matters more than money or status, the protagonist reaches out to reconcile, choosing authenticity over pride., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Yuppies 2's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping Yuppies 2 against these established plot points, we can identify how Enrico Oldoini utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Yuppies 2 within the comedy genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Bad Guys, Ella Enchanted and The Evening Star.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
The yuppie friends reunite at an upscale Milan venue, showcasing their flashy lifestyles, designer clothes, and superficial conversations about money and status—establishing their materialistic world.
Theme
An older character remarks that all their expensive toys and status symbols won't keep them warm at night—hinting that genuine human connection matters more than wealth.
Worldbuilding
The group's daily lives are established: competitive careers in finance and advertising, casual romantic pursuits, expensive apartments, luxury cars, and the constant one-upmanship that defines their friendships.
Disruption
A major business opportunity arises that puts the friends in direct competition with each other, threatening to expose the shallow foundation of their relationships.
Resistance
The friends debate whether to pursue the opportunity together or individually. They scheme and strategize, each privately calculating how to come out on top while maintaining the facade of friendship.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
The group decides to embark on an ambitious joint venture, committing to work together despite underlying tensions—choosing partnership over solo competition.
Mirror World
A romantic subplot develops as one of the yuppies meets a woman who values authenticity over wealth, providing a contrasting perspective to their materialistic worldview.
Premise
The comedic heart of the film: the yuppies navigate their business scheme through increasingly absurd situations—mixing professional ambitions with romantic misadventures, social climbing, and competitive one-upmanship.
Midpoint
The venture appears to be a major success, and the friends celebrate what seems like the pinnacle of their yuppie dreams—false victory as underlying problems remain hidden.
Opposition
Complications mount as personal jealousies surface, romantic entanglements create conflicts, and the business deal begins to unravel. Their shallow bonds crack under real pressure.
Collapse
The deal falls apart spectacularly, exposing betrayals within the group. The friendships seem destroyed, and everything they've built—both professionally and personally—lies in ruins.
Crisis
Isolated and humiliated, the friends separately confront the emptiness of their materialistic pursuits. The protagonist questions whether success means anything without genuine connection.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Realizing that their friendship—despite its flaws—matters more than money or status, the protagonist reaches out to reconcile, choosing authenticity over pride.
Synthesis
The friends reunite and work together to salvage what they can—not the business deal, but their relationships. They help each other through the aftermath with genuine support.
Transformation
The group gathers again, but the dynamic has shifted—they're still yuppies, still ambitious, but now with a deeper appreciation for their bond, suggesting superficial change wrapped around genuine growth.