Comments on: Structure: Inception

By: JET

JET — Tue, 20 Feb 2024 02:40:31 +0000

In reply to Karel Segers. whats up with that link?

By: kwon, seungtae

kwon, seungtae — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 03:43:30 +0000

Your analysis is brilliant.
I think that the second act ends when Cobb faces the lowest point that his mission fails because of his flaw.
And there are two climaxes in the third act, one is the moment that Cobb lets Mal go and resolve his flaw, another is the moment that Fisher lets his animosity toward his father go and resolve his flaw. That means has main plot as the adventure plot with the outer goal, inception and subplot as the love plot with the inner goal, resolving the personal trauma.

By: Karel Segers

Karel Segers — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 08:13:52 +0000

In reply to James Pero.

It’s about time we put you all out of your misery about Inception’s ending.

1. Download the script: https://www.mypdfscripts.com/screenplays/inception
2. Go to the last page
3. Read the last two words IN CAPS of the final scene.

End of story.

By: joe

joe — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 04:23:42 +0000

In reply to James Pero. Disagree. The point is that we don't find out. It doesn't matter to Cobb at this point whether he is dreaming or not, he just wants to be with his kids. So it shouldn't matter to us whether the the top topples.

By: Tony McFadden

Tony McFadden — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 08:06:56 +0000

I would say that Act 1 ends at the 34 minute point. Cobb’s trajectory, at least to the viewer, changes at that point. It’s not longer a ‘standard’ dream sequence with the attack by Mal. He’s met someone (Ariadne) that changes the way the dreams behave and is a ‘constructor’ beyond what he’s experienced.

And I think Act three starts a lot earlier, like at the 104 minute mark. Once the van goes through the railing, the end is inevitable. There’s no way the van is going to levitate. Nothing new in the ‘real’ life can change. It is 100% endgame at that point.

Great break down though. My son and I watched the movie three times now and I’m still not 100% sure it’s not a dream at the (beginning) end.

By: Cheyo

Cheyo — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 22:53:38 +0000

Have you thought about the possibility that they would have all woken up when the plane landed?

The plane landed was the real life kick. The ear sensing was unaffected by the sedative.

I think they were going to wake up regardless of what happened in the levels or limbo kicks.

By: Karel Segers

Karel Segers — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 04:12:42 +0000

Hi Santiago,

There is no one book I can recommend but if you’re starting out in screenwriting, I would recommend BLAKE SNYDER: SAVE THE CAT. After that perhaps McKEE: STORY.

After a while you might also consider reading CHRIS VOGLER: THE WRITER’S JOURNEY and PAUL GULINO: THE SEQUENCE APPROACH.

Some of these books are here: https://thestorydepartment.com/a-z/our-book-shop/

As to your view on Inception, you may well be right. I have problems with that 3rd Act and you can probably build a case supporting your suggestion.

Cheers,

Karel

By: Santiago

Santiago — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 01:43:30 +0000

Hi Karel

Thank you very much for that breakdown. Do you know a good reference book for screen writing? My last source was Lagos Egri’s the art of screen writing.

I was sure the first act ends at min 54, Act 2 starts on the plane (747) and Act 3 when cobb follows saito into Limbo.

Please correct me if I am wrong.
Thanks

santiago.

By: Karel Segers

Karel Segers — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 10:51:51 +0000

In reply to TOAST. Nice one... :)

By: TOAST

TOAST — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 10:42:25 +0000

Damn you’re good!

(Although… well, he could have just had Michael Caine fly his kids to Paris… just sayin’ :-P~ )