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Five Plot Point Breakdowns

"A movie, I think, is really only four or five moments between two people; the rest of it exists to give those moments their impact and resonance. The script exists for that. Everything does." - Robert Towne

When breaking down a film’s structure, generally speaking, “The Eight Sequences” framework is the standard: two in Act One, four in Act Two, and two in Act Three.

But the number 8 is only part of the equation. If the sequences are what shape a screenplay’s three-act structure, then the five major plot points are the building blocks behind sequence construction: Inciting Incident, Lock In, Midpoint, Main Culmination, and Third Act Twist.

Each analysis of selected features breaks the film down to the essential 5 major plot points, time code of when each plot point occurs included.

Saving Private Ryan (1998)

Screenplay Genre: Action / Drama / History

Movie Time: 169 minutes

1. INCITING INCIDENT

During the conflict of World War II, at a base in the United States, workers type letters to the parents of lost soldiers. It comes to one worker’s attention that three brothers have all recently been killed in combat, and that the mother is soon to receive the three telegrams informing her of this tragedy on the same day. It appears that there is a fourth brother somewhere in Germany, though his exact location is unknown, if he is even still alive. Yet, it is decided by General George C. Marshall (Harve Presnell) that a unit should be sent to find and rescue Private James Francis Ryan (Matt Damon). (0:34:43)

Raging Bull (1980)

Screenplay Genre: Biography / Drama / Sport

Movie Time: 129 minutes

1. INCITING INCIDENT

Jake La Motta (Robert De Niro), professional middleweight boxer, is late in rounds and down on points against opponent Jimmy Reeves (Floyd Anderson) until the final round when Jake obliterates Reeves, who is saved by the bell from an inevitable K.O. Amazingly however, the decision goes to Reeves, resulting in Jake’s first loss as a pro. It becomes clear that without representation from Tommy Como (Nicholas Colasanto), the local mob boss, Jake will never get a shot at the title. (10:16)

District 9 (2009)

Screenplay Genre: Sci-Fi / Drama / Action

Movie Time: 112 minutes

1. INCITING INCIDENT

Wikus (Sharlto Copley), an executive of the private military company MNU, has been delegated the task of relocating the aliens from District 9 by fooling them into signing an illegal eviction notice. While probing the shack of one of the aliens, Christopher Johnson (Jason Cope), he finds a container that sprays black alien liquid in his face. (00:23:09)

Gran Torino (2008)

Screenplay Genre: Drama

Movie Time: 116 minutes

1. INCITING INCIDENT

Walt Kowalski (Clint Eastwood), Korean war veteran and a recent widower, attempts to live out the rest of his days quietly despite trying to ignore a family of Koreans that have moved in next door. However, he can’t ignore them any longer when one of the boys, Thao (Bee Vang), is recruited by a gang to steal Walt’s 1972 Gran Torino. Walt wakes up in the middle of the night to thwart Thao’s initiation at gunpoint, though Thao manages to escape. (0:21:52)

Million Dollar Baby (2004)

Screenplay Genre: Drama / Sport

Movie Time: 132 minutes

1. INCITING INCIDENT

Frankie Dunn (Clint Eastwood), owner of a gym and manager for up-and-comer Big Willie Little (Mike Colter), meets Maggie Fitzgerald (Hilary Swank) training in his gym. Frankie ignores Maggie’s attempts to recruit him as her manager, though she catches the eye of retired boxer and Frankie’s friend, Eddie “Scrap-Iron” Dupris (Morgan Freeman), who gives her training advice after-hours. (00:15:10)

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