The Man Who Wasn't There

2001116 minutes
3.6
Arcplot Score
📝 Unconventional
Unverified
Directed by: Coen Brothers

Arcplot Score Breakdown

Beat Timing Precision5.9/10
Emotional Arc Impact3/10
Thematic Consistency2/10
Overall Score3.6/10

Beat Sheet

15 plot points

The Man Who Wasn't There Arcplot
1
Opening Image
1 min
2
Theme Stated
5 min
3
Set-Up
15 min
4
Catalyst
25 min
5
Debate
35 min
6
Break Into Two
45 min
7
B Story
55 min
8
Fun and Games
65 min
9
Midpoint
75 min
10
Bad Guys Close In
85 min
11
All Is Lost
95 min
12
Dark Night of the Soul
105 min
13
Break Into Three
110 min
14
Finale
115 min
15
Final Image
116 min

Emotional Arc

+100-10

Plot Points

#1

Opening Image

1 min

Ed Crane, silent barber in 1940s California. Monotony and isolation.

#2

Theme Stated

5 min

Consequence of inaction and moral choices.

#3

Set-Up

15 min

Ed's family life dull, business struggling. Encounters blackmail scheme.

#4

Catalyst

25 min

Decides to engage in crime to improve life.

#5

Debate

35 min

Can Ed commit crime and stay unnoticed? Moral tension.

#6

Break Into Two

45 min

Criminal plot initiated. Risk and suspense escalate.

#7

B Story

55 min

Relationship with wife Doris and co-worker. Emotional stakes.

#8

Fun and Games

65 min

Crime unfolds, mistakes made. Suspenseful maneuvers.

#9

Midpoint

75 min

Unexpected death; false victory gone. Stakes critically high.

#10

Bad Guys Close In

85 min

Investigation tightens. Ed cornered.

#11

All Is Lost

95 min

Ed faces consequences, trapped by his choices.

#12

Dark Night of the Soul

105 min

Reflects silently on life, death, and choices.

#13

Break Into Three

110 min

Final attempt to control fate, though futile.

#14

Finale

115 min

Resolution of criminal plot; moral balance restored.

#15

Final Image

116 min

Ed remains silent, world indifferent; existential closure.