5 Plot Point Breakdown: J. Edgar (2011)

Screenplay Genre: Biography / Crime / Drama

Movie Time: 137 minutes

1. INCITING INCIDENT

After MITCHELL PALMER’s (Geoff Pierson) house is bombed by communist revolutionaries, J. EDGAR (Leonardo DiCaprio) is promoted and given a staff to search out federal suspects. (00:10:12)

2. LOCK IN (End of Act One)

J. Edgar is promoted as acting director of Bureau of Investigation. (00:27:04)

3. FIRST CULMINATION (Midpoint)

The Lindbergh baby’s remains are found in the woods just outside the Lindbergh house (01:03:41)

4. MAIN CULMINATION (End of Act Two)

After BRUNO HAUPTMANN (Damon Herriman) is arrested for the kidnapping and murder of the Lindbergh baby, Hauptmann is sentenced to death using J. Edgar’s advanced evidence. (01:46:44)

5. THIRD ACT TWIST

CLYDE TOLSON (Armie Hammer) reveals to J. Edgar that he read the manuscript for J. Edgar’s memoirs and most of what was written was an exaggeration and some facts were blatant lies. (02:01:02)

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