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Just Getting Started (2017) movie poster

Timeline

Just Getting Started (2017) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2017 · 91 min · English
Echo score 28
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Directed by
Ron Shelton
Starring
Tommy Lee Jones, Morgan Freeman, Joe Pantoliano, Rene Russo, George Wallace, Glenne Headly
Budget
$22M

This energetic comedy follows Duke Diver, a charming resort manager at the luxurious Villa Capri in Palm Springs, portrayed by Morgan Freeman. His relaxed world is disrupted by the arrival of Leo, an ex-military man played by Tommy Lee Jones, who challenges Duke’s position and pursues the same romantic interests. As Duke’s past resurfaces, threatening the resort, he and Leo must overcome their rivalry and team up to confront a dangerous situation and protect Villa Capri.

On this page (6)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (13)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Movies like Just Getting Started
  6. 6 Every angle
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13 events in order · contains spoilers

Just Getting Started Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of Just Getting Started (2017) in order, scene by scene, with when and where it takes place. Use it to untangle flashbacks, time jumps and parallel storylines, to refresh your memory before the sequel or to find the exact scene you are thinking of.

  1. Duke Diver's New Life

    Once a renowned defense attorney for criminal organizations, Duke Diver now manages the luxurious Villa Capri in Palm Springs, California. His new life is a stark contrast to his previous high-stakes career.

    Where
    Villa Capri, Palm Springs
  2. The Rivalry Begins

    The arrival of former FBI agent Leo disrupts Duke's routine as he claims Duke's parking spot. This moment marks the beginning of a competitive rivalry between the two men.

    Where
    Villa Capri
  3. Delilah's Revenge

    In New Jersey, Delilah sees an advertisement for Villa Capri featuring Duke, who is actually William Dupree, the man she blames for her husband's imprisonment. Infuriated, she plots to bring him down, setting a dangerous chain of events in motion.

    Where
    New Jersey
  4. Leo's Arrival

    As Leo settles into the resort, he competes against Duke for the affection of various female guests. Duke takes note of Leo's charm, especially as he challenges Duke's former title of the resort's 'Casanova.'

    Where
    Villa Capri
  5. The Poker Game

    Duke invites Leo to a poker game after learning that Leo paid for his stay in cash. In a twist of fate, Leo reveals a fabricated backstory and unexpectedly wins all of Duke’s poker chips, marking a significant defeat for Duke.

    Where
    Villa Capri
  6. Christmas Preparations

    With the Christmas season approaching, Duke is determined to create a festive atmosphere at the resort. However, complications arise when a new camel supplier threatens to disrupt his plans for a nativity scene.

    When
    Christmas season
    Where
    Villa Capri
  7. Golf Match Gone Wrong

    Duke challenges Leo to a game of golf, which quickly descends into chaos when a rattlesnake is discovered in Duke’s golf bag. The incident underscores their escalating rivalry as comedic mishaps unfold.

    Where
    Villa Capri Golf Course
  8. Corporate Santa's Arrival

    Corporate sends a Santa Claus to evaluate Duke’s management skills. A humorous fight breaks out between Duke and Santa, creating an unexpected alliance between Duke and Leo as they navigate the situation together.

    When
    Christmas season
    Where
    Villa Capri
  9. Johnny Mathis at the Resort

    During the Christmas festivities, Duke performs with his friend Johnny Mathis, bringing a festive spirit to the event. Meanwhile, Leo grows closer to Suzie, leading to a display of jealousy from Duke.

    When
    Christmas festivities
    Where
    Villa Capri
  10. The Return of Duke's Past

    Duke's dangerous history as a mob lawyer resurfaces when a hitman, the son of a mob boss, targets him. This revelation catches both Duke and Leo off guard, forcing them into a precarious situation.

    Where
    Villa Capri
  11. Suzie's Kidnapping

    The situation escalates when Suzie is kidnapped by the mob boss's son, Oscar. Duke and Leo realize they must put aside their rivalry and work together to save her from this perilous predicament.

    Where
    Villa Capri
  12. Duke and Leo's Alliance

    Facing the threat posed by Oscar, Duke and Leo form an alliance to rescue Suzie. Their combined efforts highlight the growth of their friendship amid the chaos surrounding them.

    Where
    Villa Capri
  13. New Beginnings

    After successfully rescuing Suzie, Duke receives a new identity and is assigned to manage a resort in Florida. This marks a fresh start for him, while Leo and Suzie blossom romantically, leaving the tumultuous past behind.

    Where
    Florida

Last updated: October 27, 2024 at 22:36

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Timeline questions answered

Just Getting Started Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of Just Getting Started (2017): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why is Duke being targeted by a hitman?

Duke is targeted because he was formerly William Dupree, a defense attorney who represented leaders of dangerous criminal organizations. When the mob boss's son Oscar learns Duke is alive and working at Villa Capri, he sends a hitman to eliminate him as revenge for Duke's past work defending criminals.

Foreshadowing: Earlier, Duke's assistant Jimmy and accountant Ginger help manage his finances, hinting at his need to maintain a hidden identity.

  • duke diver
  • mob lawyer
  • hitman
  • oscar
  • william dupree
  • villa capri
Q2

Who is Oscar and why is he after Duke?

Oscar is the son of a mob boss whose leaders Duke once defended in court. Oscar tracks Duke down to Villa Capri after learning he's still alive, and he kidnaps Suzie to force Duke into a dangerous confrontation. His goal is to settle the score for his father's legal troubles.

  • oscar
  • mob boss son
  • villain
  • kidnapping suzie
Q3

What is Duke's real identity?

Duke's real name is William Dupree. He was once a high-profile defense attorney who represented the leaders of the world's deadliest criminal organizations. He changed his identity and moved to Villa Capri to escape his dangerous past, but it eventually catches up with him.

Foreshadowing: Duke's luxurious spending habits and the lack of documentation in his management suggest he built his new life quickly and secretly.

  • william dupree
  • duke diver
  • new identity
  • mob lawyer past
Q4

How does Delilah's revenge plot connect to the mob threat?

Delilah, a New Jersey resident, sees an advertisement for Villa Capri featuring Duke (William Dupree). She blames him for her husband's imprisonment due to his poor legal defense. While planning revenge by requesting 'a gift' (Dupree's head) from her son, she unknowingly sets events in motion that draw attention to Duke's location, allowing the mob to find him.

  • delilah
  • revenge
  • new jersey
  • dupree
  • christmas gift
Q5

Why do Duke and Leo end up teaming up?

Duke and Leo initially compete for status and romantic interests at the resort. However, when Oscar's hitman targets them both, they realize they must put aside their rivalry. Leo, a former FBI agent, and Duke combine their skills to survive the attack, rescue Suzie, and defeat Oscar, transforming their rivalry into a strategic alliance.

Foreshadowing: Their first moment of teamwork comes when they fight together against the corporate Santa, hinting at their potential partnership.

  • duke
  • leo
  • alliance
  • teamwork
  • rivals
  • rescue suzie
Q6

What happens to Suzie at the end of the movie?

Suzie, the regional director for the resort chain, is kidnapped by Oscar during the climax. Duke and Leo work together to rescue her from the mob boss's son. After being saved, she and Leo end up together romantically, while Duke receives a new identity and moves to a Florida resort to start fresh.

  • suzie
  • kidnapping
  • rescue
  • romance
  • leo suzie
  • florida
Q7

How does the rivalry between Duke and Leo develop?

The rivalry begins when Leo takes Duke's parking spot upon arrival at Villa Capri. It escalates through competing for the title of resort 'Casanova,' a poker game where Leo defeats Duke for the first time, a chaotic golf match interrupted by a rattlesnake, and vying for Suzie's attention. Their competition is friendly but intense until the mob threat forces them together.

  • duke
  • leo
  • rivalry
  • casanova
  • golf
  • poker
  • competition
Q8

Why does Leo win at poker against Duke?

Leo wins because he uses a fabricated backstory as an ex-military international trader, which throws Duke off his usual strategy. This is the first time Duke has lost his poker chips in what he normally dominates. Leo's ability to bluff successfully gives him an early advantage in their rivalry.

  • poker
  • leo wins
  • bluff
  • duke loses
  • chips
Q9

What is the significance of the camels for the nativity scene?

Duke orders camels for a Christmas nativity scene at the resort as part of his efforts to create a festive atmosphere. The subplot adds comedic elements to his character, showing his dedication to maintaining the resort's charm, though it also introduces a brief conflict with a new camel supplier.

  • camels
  • nativity
  • christmas
  • palm springs
  • resort
Q10

When does Duke confess his feelings to Suzie?

Duke confesses his admiration for Suzie while becoming increasingly intoxicated during the Christmas festivities. However, this confession happens just as his dangerous past resurfaces, with a hitman arriving to target him. The timing creates tension as Duke must immediately deal with the threat while also revealing his true feelings.

  • duke
  • suzie
  • confession
  • jealousy
  • christmas party
  • johnny mathis
Q11

Why do Duke and Leo fight the corporate Santa?

Corporate sends a Santa Claus to evaluate Duke's management skills at the resort. A fight breaks out between Duke and the corporate Santa, with Leo stepping in to assist Duke. This unexpected conflict marks the first moment Duke and Leo work together as allies, setting the stage for their eventual partnership against the mob threat.

Foreshadowing: This fight serves as a preview of their later teamwork against Oscar.

  • corporate santa
  • fight
  • evaluation
  • duke
  • leo
  • teamwork

Movie threads

More Movies Like Just Getting Started, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Just Getting Started tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Movies like Just Getting Started where rivals become allies

Where antagonistic competition blossoms into an unlikely but effective partnership. If you enjoyed the competitive dynamic and eventual teamwork in Just Getting Started, you'll like these movies featuring charismatic feuds that turn into powerful alliances. Discover similar comedies and action films where initial rivalry gives way to an unstoppable partnership.

  • rivalrous
  • comedic
  • teamwork
  • playful
  • action-comedy
  • charismatic
  • Tone: light, playful, comedic
  • Pacing: steady, character-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative follows a clear three-act structure: establishing the rivalry through humorous competition, introducing a shared external conflict that threatens both parties, and culminating in a cooperative effort where the rivals' contrasting strengths complement each other to overcome the challenge, often leading to a newfound friendship.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here for their shared focus on the 'enemies-to-friends' character arc, a LIGHT tone that uses rivalry for comedy, and a STEADY pacing that balances character clashes with collaborative action, resulting in a HAPPY, satisfying resolution.

Resort action comedies with a vibe like Just Getting Started

High-stakes antics and humor collide in a luxurious, relaxed vacation setting. Looking for more movies like Just Getting Started that mix action and comedy in a sunny resort setting? This list features films where picturesque vacation spots turn into playgrounds for thrilling escapades and humorous situations, perfect for a fun, easy watch.

  • festive
  • energetic
  • resort life
  • lighthearted
  • playful
  • sun-drenched
  • Tone: light, festive, energetic
  • Pacing: steady, playful
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative typically involves a protagonist enjoying or managing a peaceful locale, whose past or a new arrival disrupts the tranquility. The threat is serious enough to drive the plot but is handled with a comedic touch, ensuring the sunny, festive atmosphere of the setting remains dominant, leading to an action-packed yet ultimately fun and positive conclusion.

Why they belong together: These movies share a specific vibe defined by the juxtaposition of a festive, relaxed WORLD (like a resort) with a MEDIUM-intensity ACTION plot, all filtered through a LIGHT, comedic TONE. The STEADY pacing and STRAIGHTFORWARD plots ensure an energetic but undemanding experience.

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Every angle

Just Getting Started (2017) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Just Getting Started in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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