Aline
A fictionalized biopic of Aline Dieu, a multitalented singer from a musically inclined family.
The film commercial failure against its moderate budget of $25.9M, earning $11.1M globally (-57% loss). While initial box office returns were modest, the film has gained appreciation for its fresh perspective within the music genre.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Aline (2021) exemplifies carefully calibrated narrative design, characteristic of Valérie Lemercier's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 5 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.3, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Aline Dieu
Guy-Claude Kamar
Sylvette Dieu
Anglomard Dieu
Main Cast & Characters
Aline Dieu
Played by Valérie Lemercier
A talented singer from a large Quebec family who rises to international stardom, inspired by Céline Dion's life story.
Guy-Claude Kamar
Played by Sylvain Marcel
Aline's manager and eventual husband, who discovers her talent and guides her career despite their age difference.
Sylvette Dieu
Played by Danielle Fichaud
Aline's devoted mother and early supporter, who recognizes her daughter's gift and fights for her dreams.
Anglomard Dieu
Played by Roc LaFortune
Aline's father, a loving patriarch of the large Dieu family who supports his daughter's ambitions.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 2 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Aline Dieu is born as the 14th child in a large Quebec family. The cramped, loving household filled with music establishes her humble origins and natural gift for singing.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 15 minutes when Guy-Claude hears Aline's demo tape and is moved to tears. He invites her to audition, offering the possibility of a professional music career beyond her small-town life.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 30 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to Aline wins the 1988 Eurovision Song Contest representing Switzerland, launching her international career. She actively chooses to pursue global stardom, leaving behind her simple Quebec life., moving from reaction to action.
At 61 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 49% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat Aline and Guy-Claude publicly announce their relationship and get married in a lavish ceremony. This false victory represents her having "everything" - love and career - but the pressure and stakes are about to intensify., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 93 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Guy-Claude is diagnosed with throat cancer. The man who discovered her voice, her husband and manager, faces a potentially fatal illness. Aline must confront the possibility of losing him - a metaphorical and literal death., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 99 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Guy-Claude recovers, and Aline realizes that love and family are what give her strength to perform. She synthesizes her personal life with her professional calling, understanding she can have both if she sets proper boundaries., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Aline's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping Aline against these established plot points, we can identify how Valérie Lemercier utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Aline within the music genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional music films include South Pacific, Journey to Bethlehem and The Fabulous Baker Boys.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Aline Dieu is born as the 14th child in a large Quebec family. The cramped, loving household filled with music establishes her humble origins and natural gift for singing.
Theme
Aline's mother tells her that talent is a gift from God, but what you do with it is your gift back. This establishes the theme of destiny, sacrifice, and the price of greatness.
Worldbuilding
Young Aline grows up in her musical family, performing at local venues and family gatherings. Her extraordinary voice emerges, and her mother becomes her fierce advocate, sending a demo tape to music producer Guy-Claude Kamar.
Disruption
Guy-Claude hears Aline's demo tape and is moved to tears. He invites her to audition, offering the possibility of a professional music career beyond her small-town life.
Resistance
Guy-Claude becomes Aline's manager and mentor. He mortgages his house to fund her first album. The family debates whether to trust this stranger with their daughter's future. Aline begins professional training and recording.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Aline wins the 1988 Eurovision Song Contest representing Switzerland, launching her international career. She actively chooses to pursue global stardom, leaving behind her simple Quebec life.
Mirror World
Aline realizes she has fallen in love with Guy-Claude, despite their significant age difference. This romantic subplot becomes the emotional core that will teach her about sacrifice and choosing between love and career.
Premise
Aline's career skyrockets. She records in English, performs for the Pope, and becomes an international sensation. She and Guy-Claude conduct a secret romance. The fun of stardom, sold-out concerts, and living the dream of fame.
Midpoint
Aline and Guy-Claude publicly announce their relationship and get married in a lavish ceremony. This false victory represents her having "everything" - love and career - but the pressure and stakes are about to intensify.
Opposition
The relentless demands of fame take their toll. Aline pushes herself to exhaustion, struggles with vocal strain, and faces the challenge of balancing marriage and career. She desperately wants a child but faces fertility struggles and miscarriages.
Collapse
Guy-Claude is diagnosed with throat cancer. The man who discovered her voice, her husband and manager, faces a potentially fatal illness. Aline must confront the possibility of losing him - a metaphorical and literal death.
Crisis
Aline withdraws from performing to care for Guy-Claude during his treatment. She faces her darkest fears about loss, mortality, and what truly matters beyond fame and success.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Guy-Claude recovers, and Aline realizes that love and family are what give her strength to perform. She synthesizes her personal life with her professional calling, understanding she can have both if she sets proper boundaries.
Synthesis
Aline returns to the stage with renewed purpose, performing with deeper emotional connection. She successfully has children through IVF, establishes a Las Vegas residency, and achieves a sustainable balance between her roles as artist, wife, and mother.
Transformation
Aline performs triumphantly on stage, surrounded by her family in the wings. The final image mirrors the opening: she's still singing, but now as a complete person who has integrated her gift, her love, and her identity.