The 3-Act Paradigm at Work: Changing Lanes

written by Chap Taylor

(based on a single theater viewing)


Changing Lanes is a "double protagonist" psychological thriller that dissipates too much energy in its changing focus. Its traditional structure, however, is clear.

Structural Analysis

  1. Hook
    • An estranged husband is nervous about buying his first house. He's trying to keep his wife from moving across the country with his kids.
  2. Complication
    • He's in a fender-bender with a lawyer who leaves the scene, leaving behind an important file he needs for a case.
  3. Call to Action
    • The husband throws away the file but retrieves it when he learns it's important to the lawyer, who made him late to a court date -- his wife is moving with the kids.
  4. Act One Plot Point
    • The lawyer hires a man to sabotage the husband's credit when he won't turn over the file. A battle between them begins.
  5. Midpoint Plot Point
    • The lawyer is being pressured to cheat about the lost file. The husband causes a crash of the lawyer's car.
  6. Act Two Plot Point
    • The husband is arrested.
  7. Climax and Resolution
    • The lawyer helps the man get his house back and explains what happened to the wife. He also has his law firm on edge regarding his proof of fraud.

Notes

The ending is a bit too pat, easy and happy given the circumstances. Also, the split energy between the heroes doesn't give us enough time with each to root for them with much energy. A disappointing movie, all in all.


MODULE 4: SCREENWRIGHT: the craft of screenwriting

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