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 The Crossing Guard (1995), as I see them.

The Crossing Guard (1995)

Starring: Jack Nicholson (Freddy Gale), David Morse (John Booth), Anjelica Huston (Mary)
Directed by: Sean Penn
Writer: Sean Penn

PROTAGONIST FREDDY’S DILEMMA: He wants revenge for his 7 yr old daughter Emily’s murder but his anger consumes him first.

PROTAGONIST’S DESIRE: To get his revenge by killing John Booth, his daughter’s murderer.

HIS CHIEF OBSTACLE: John Booth is still in jail.

ESTABLISHING SHOT: A torch is rolled on the naked skin of a strip joint dancer. A sensitivity group in meeting, talking about how they are coping with their grief.

INCITING INCIDENT: Freddy visits ex-wife Mary at her new house and tells her that he is going to kill John Booth, who has just been released from prison.

PLOT POINT 1: Freddy catches John Booth alone in his trailer but he fails to kill him because his handgun turns out to be empty.

MID POINT EVENT: John Booth tells his girlfriend that he can’t just choose to live a happy and new life with her. His guilt is just too overpowering for having killed Emily in an accident.

PLOT POINT 2: After being stopped for drunk driving, Freddy runs away from the cops and heads for John Booth’s trailer.

3rd ACT RESOLUTION: Freddy and the wounded John Booth meet at Emily’s grave and make a painful peace as two tortured souls who have nothing more to gain by killing one another.