The 3-Act Paradigm at Work: Antwone Fisher

written by Antwone Fisher

(based on a single theater viewing)


Antwone Fisher celebrates the survival of the human spirit. An abused child grows into a young man with a severe anger problem who, with the help of a Navy psychiatrist, learns to become whole and find his family.

Structural Analysis

  1. Hook
    • A boy is strangely led to a long table filled with food -- and a young man awakes from a nightmare.
  2. Complication
    • The young sailor, Antwone, has a severe anger problem and is sent to a shrink.
  3. Call to Action
    • After a long period of silence, he agrees to talk to the Navy shrink.
  4. Act One Plot Point
    • He becomes a regular patient.
  5. Midpoint Plot Point
    • He starts dating a woman he likes.
  6. Act Two Plot Point
    • He meets the mother who abandoned him -- who won't talk to him.
  7. Climax and Resolution
    • He meets his huge extended family, with his girl friend beside him. He becomes whole.

Notes

A tear-jerker, well done and tightly structured. Few surprises but a "feel good" movie all the same.


MODULE 4: SCREENWRIGHT: the craft of screenwriting

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