City Slickers Story Analysis: Plot Summary & Character Arcs
Deep dive into the narrative structure and emotional journey of City Slickers.
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 1991, City Slickers is a Comedy, Western film directed by Ron Underwood, written by Lowell Ganz. The narrative brings laughter through sharp writing and comedic timing, providing amusement while touching on deeper societal themes. As part of the City Slickers Collection, it provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Billy Crystal as Mitch Robbins.
What Is the Story of City Slickers?
The comedic structure relies on both situational humor and character-based comedy. Three New York businessmen decide to take a "Wild West" vacation that turns out not to be the relaxing vacation they had envisioned. The production finds humor in relatable situations while maintaining narrative momentum. The jokes serve the story, with callbacks that reward attentive viewers.
How Is City Slickers Structured?
- Opening Hook: City Slickers's opening establishes the comedic tone through Billy Crystal as Mitch Robbins's interactions, introducing the central conflict with humor and character quirks that Ron Underwood layers throughout.
- Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. Billy Crystal's arc is present but occasionally predictable.
- Climax & Resolution: The comedic climax ties together the recurring threads, with Billy Crystal's storyline wrapping up predictably but entertainingly.