Body of Evidence
A lawyer defends a woman accused of killing her older lover by having sex with him.
Working with a mid-range budget of $30.0M, the film achieved a respectable showing with $38.0M in global revenue (+27% profit margin).
1 win & 8 nominations
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%)
Body of Evidence (1993) exhibits strategically placed story structure, characteristic of Uli Edel's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 13-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 41 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.8, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Rebecca Carlson
Frank Dulaney
Robert Garrett
Sharon Dulaney
Dr. Alan Paley
Joanne Braslow
Main Cast & Characters
Rebecca Carlson
Played by Madonna
A seductive gallery owner accused of murdering her wealthy elderly lover through dangerous sexual practices.
Frank Dulaney
Played by Willem Dafoe
A married defense attorney who becomes dangerously obsessed with his client Rebecca while defending her in a murder trial.
Robert Garrett
Played by Joe Mantegna
The aggressive district attorney prosecuting Rebecca for murder, determined to prove she killed for inheritance money.
Sharon Dulaney
Played by Julianne Moore
Frank's wife and secretary, a grounded professional who becomes increasingly concerned about her husband's behavior.
Dr. Alan Paley
Played by Jürgen Prochnow
A psychiatrist who provides expert testimony about sexual behavior and becomes entangled in the case.
Joanne Braslow
Played by Anne Archer
The medical examiner who testifies about the victim's cause of death and physical evidence.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Rebecca Carlson discovered in bed with her elderly lover Andrew Marsh as he dies during violent sexual activity, establishing her as a femme fatale under suspicion.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Frank Dulaney agrees to defend Rebecca Carlson despite the controversial nature of the case and warning signs about her seductive nature.. 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 25 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to Frank crosses the line and begins a sexual affair with Rebecca, committing fully to her world of dangerous passion despite knowing it will destroy his marriage and career., moving from reaction to action.
At 51 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat The trial reaches a turning point as evidence mounts against Rebecca, and Frank realizes he may be defending a murderer while his wife discovers the affair., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 76 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Frank's secretary Joanne is murdered, creating a "whiff of death" and suggesting Rebecca eliminates anyone who threatens her, forcing Frank to confront the truth., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 81 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Final courtroom confrontation where Frank turns against Rebecca, the verdict is delivered, and Rebecca attempts to kill Frank before being shot by police., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Body of Evidence's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 13 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping Body of Evidence against these established plot points, we can identify how Uli Edel utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Body of Evidence within the drama genre.
Uli Edel's Structural Approach
Among the 3 Uli Edel films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.0, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Body of Evidence takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Uli Edel filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional drama films include Eye for an Eye, South Pacific and Kiss of the Spider Woman. For more Uli Edel analyses, see The Little Vampire, The Baader Meinhof Complex.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Rebecca Carlson discovered in bed with her elderly lover Andrew Marsh as he dies during violent sexual activity, establishing her as a femme fatale under suspicion.
Theme
Prosecutor Robert Garrett states that the case is about whether passion can be weaponized, foreshadowing the central question of desire versus manipulation.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of the murder investigation, Rebecca's inheritance motive, the prosecution's case, and introduction of defense attorney Frank Dulaney and his stable marriage to Sharon.
Disruption
Frank Dulaney agrees to defend Rebecca Carlson despite the controversial nature of the case and warning signs about her seductive nature.
Resistance
Frank investigates the case, interviews Rebecca, and begins to feel the pull of her sexuality while wrestling with professional ethics and his marriage vows.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Frank crosses the line and begins a sexual affair with Rebecca, committing fully to her world of dangerous passion despite knowing it will destroy his marriage and career.
Premise
Frank and Rebecca engage in increasingly dangerous sexual encounters while preparing for trial, blurring the lines between legal defense and personal obsession.
Midpoint
The trial reaches a turning point as evidence mounts against Rebecca, and Frank realizes he may be defending a murderer while his wife discovers the affair.
Opposition
Prosecution presents damaging evidence, Frank's marriage crumbles, and he begins to suspect Rebecca may have seduced and manipulated him just as she did her victim.
Collapse
Frank's secretary Joanne is murdered, creating a "whiff of death" and suggesting Rebecca eliminates anyone who threatens her, forcing Frank to confront the truth.
Crisis
Frank processes the devastating realization that he has been manipulated and used, losing everything—his marriage, his integrity, and possibly his life.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Final courtroom confrontation where Frank turns against Rebecca, the verdict is delivered, and Rebecca attempts to kill Frank before being shot by police.
Transformation
Frank stands alone, having survived but destroyed, transformed from a confident attorney with a stable life into a hollow man who learned the cost of surrendering to desire.