Plot points are linear links that make up the chain of traditional Aristotelian 3-act dramatic structure. This classic structure worked well in Hollywood for almost a century now. Although young movie makers are forcing the limits of this structure, plot points still rule the day as the tent poles that hold up of the circus of our dreams. Here are the plot points of Wings of Desire (1987), as I see them. Wings of Desire (1987) STARRING: Bruno Ganz (Damiel), Solveig Dommartin (Marion), Peter Falk (Himself), Otto Sander (Cassiel)
DIRECTED BY: Wim Wenders
WRITERS: Peter Handke, Richard Reitinger (screenplay) PROTAGONIST DAMIEL'S DILEMMA: He is an angel but wants to become a human being. PROTAGONIST'S DESIRE: To become a human being. HIS CHIEF OBSTACLE: He has no idea what it means to be a human being, and he is invisible. ESTABLISHING SHOT: Aerial B&W shot of Berlin. INCITING INCIDENT: Two angels walking on the streets of West Berlin, riding the trains, etc. Listening to the thoughts inside people's heads. PLOT POINT 1: Damiel confides in Cassiel that he is not totally happy to be an angel. MID POINT EVENT: Damiel falls in love with Marion. PLOT POINT 2: Damiel falls to earth. 3rd ACT RESOLUTION: Damiel and Marion become conscious of the value of their true relationship in a limited world. Life is not a series of random coincidences any more. |
