Todorovs 5 Stages of Narrative (Hangover)

1. A state of equilibrium. At the start of the film it shows Phil, Stu, Alan and Doug all in their careers or with families, getting on peacefully. When they all meet up they all get along fine, even when they arrive in Vegas, they have a 'friendship shot' on the rooftop of their hotel.

2. A disruption of order. The next scene Phil, Alan and Stu awake in the hotel room not remembering anything at all, all dazed and hungover. Being unsure on the situation they struggle to remember why they are even in this circumstance. We only see the effects of what happened, we don't see what actually occurred until later on in the film when they begin to have flashbacks. This means that Todorov's 5 stages of narrative doesn't fit in perfectly in Hangover.

3. The recognition that the order has been disrupted. They all notice that there has been serious damage conflicted to the room, as well as finding a mysterious baby, various animals, and Phil losing a tooth, then later realising Doug is not there and nowhere to be found.

4. An attempt to repair the damage. They attempt to link up everything they remember, finding reciepts for strip clubs, going to the hospital and even trying to find information from the police. Getting closer and closer to finding Doug, but somehow further away. They scatter everything that can find together and attempt to piece it all up. They end up being attacked in the desert, to Alan being knocked out by Mike Tyson.

5. A state of new equilibrium. They eventually find Doug on the hotel roof, and somehow manage to get to the wedding in time. Carrying on with the ceremoney without the wife or anybody else knowing what went on. They proceed to look at all of the photos of the night they can't remember, and make a pact to never show or talk about it again.