The 3-Act Paradigm at Work: Lolita

written by Stephen Schiff

(based on a single theater viewing)


The second film based on Nabokov's famous novel. Clean 3-act structure. Manages to draw an almost sympathetic pervert.

Structural Analysis

  1. Hook
    • Humbert, the protagonist, weaving on the road, a complete wreck, blood on his face, thinking of Lolita.
  2. Complication
    • At 14 he falls in love with Annabel and is marked for life. He will search for her all his days.
  3. Call to Action
    • Rents a room in New England -- only because Lolita is there.
  4. Act One Plot Point
    • Quick twists: marries Lo's mother; she discovers his diary about Lo; she runs off and gets hit by car, dies. Humbert is alone with Lo, his step-daughter.
  5. Midpoint Plot Point
    • Finally tells Lo her mother is dead. They become lovers, go to prep school where he will teach.
  6. Act Two Plot Point
    • Lo in hospital with virus -- someone else checks her out. He's lost her.
  7. Climax and Resolution
    • Meets Lo after she's married and pregnant. She rejects running off with him. He learns who checked her out of hospital, and he goes and kills him. Afterwards, image of beginning, weaving down highway with police in pursuit.

Notes

A touching tragedy, despite its subject matter.


MODULE 4: SCREENWRIGHT: the craft of screenwriting

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