Closer
The relationships of two couples become complicated and deceitful when the man from one couple meets the woman of the other.
Despite a mid-range budget of $27.0M, Closer became a financial success, earning $115.5M worldwide—a 328% return.
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%)
Closer (2004) exemplifies carefully calibrated plot construction, characteristic of Mike Nichols's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 44 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.1, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Dan walks through London's crowded streets, observing strangers. He is detached, voyeuristic, emotionally disconnected—a writer who watches life rather than living it.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when Dan meets Anna, the photographer, while being photographed for his book about Alice. He is immediately attracted to her sophisticated elegance—she represents the life he thinks he wants. Anna is engaged but intrigued.. 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 27 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 26% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to Larry actually meets the real Anna at the aquarium. She is charmed by his directness and crude honesty. They begin a relationship. Dan's deception has unleashed consequences he cannot control. The four lives are now entangled., moving from reaction to action.
At 52 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat Larry discovers Anna's affair with Dan. In a devastating confrontation, he demands the truth about every sexual detail. Anna confesses everything. Their marriage is shattered. Larry vows revenge. The stakes escalate from romantic games to emotional warfare., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 79 minutes (76% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Alice is hit by a car in New York—she dies (metaphorically in Dan's life). Dan realizes too late that Alice was the only one who truly loved him. He has destroyed the one authentic relationship he had. Larry gets Anna back by trading her for information about Alice, revealing the transactional emptiness of their desires., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 84 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 81% of the runtime. Dan discovers that "Alice" lied about her identity—her real name was Jane Jones. He never truly knew her. This revelation clarifies the film's thesis: intimacy is impossible without truth, and perhaps truth itself is impossible. He must accept the unknowability of others., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Closer's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping Closer against these established plot points, we can identify how Mike Nichols utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Closer within the drama genre.
Mike Nichols's Structural Approach
Among the 15 Mike Nichols films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.0, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. Closer represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Mike Nichols filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional drama films include Eye for an Eye, South Pacific and Kiss of the Spider Woman. For more Mike Nichols analyses, see Carnal Knowledge, Primary Colors and Postcards from the Edge.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Dan walks through London's crowded streets, observing strangers. He is detached, voyeuristic, emotionally disconnected—a writer who watches life rather than living it.
Theme
Alice tells Dan, "Lying is the most fun a girl can have without taking her clothes off... but it's better if you do." The theme of truth, deception, and intimacy is established.
Worldbuilding
Dan and Alice meet after she's hit by a car. They fall into an intense relationship. Dan photographs Alice, they become lovers. Dan is happy but still searching for something more. We see his world as an obituary writer yearning for artistic recognition.
Disruption
Dan meets Anna, the photographer, while being photographed for his book about Alice. He is immediately attracted to her sophisticated elegance—she represents the life he thinks he wants. Anna is engaged but intrigued.
Resistance
Dan pursues Anna despite being with Alice. He debates whether to betray Alice, who loves him genuinely. Anna resists but is tempted. Dan impulsively uses Anna's identity in a sex chat room, where he unknowingly sets up dermatologist Larry to meet "Anna" at an aquarium.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Larry actually meets the real Anna at the aquarium. She is charmed by his directness and crude honesty. They begin a relationship. Dan's deception has unleashed consequences he cannot control. The four lives are now entangled.
Mirror World
One year later: Larry and Anna are together; Dan and Alice are together. Larry embodies brutal honesty in contrast to Dan's romanticized deceptions. Larry will become the mirror that forces everyone to confront truth versus lies.
Premise
The quadrangle plays out. Dan still pursues Anna. Larry and Anna get married but cracks form. Alice tries to hold onto Dan. Affairs begin: Dan and Anna sleep together, betraying Larry and Alice. The promise of the premise—watching brutal emotional chess between lovers—unfolds with sharp dialogue and shifting power dynamics.
Midpoint
Larry discovers Anna's affair with Dan. In a devastating confrontation, he demands the truth about every sexual detail. Anna confesses everything. Their marriage is shattered. Larry vows revenge. The stakes escalate from romantic games to emotional warfare.
Opposition
Larry retaliates by seducing Alice at the strip club where she works. He is cruel and possessive. Dan leaves Alice for Anna, but his guilt haunts him. Anna divorces Larry. The relationships implode under the weight of lies, jealousy, and the characters' inability to truly connect. Everyone is losing what they wanted.
Collapse
Alice is hit by a car in New York—she dies (metaphorically in Dan's life). Dan realizes too late that Alice was the only one who truly loved him. He has destroyed the one authentic relationship he had. Larry gets Anna back by trading her for information about Alice, revealing the transactional emptiness of their desires.
Crisis
Dan is devastated, alone, processing his loss. Anna returns to Larry out of exhaustion and defeat rather than love. Larry has won, but it's hollow. Each character sits in the darkness of their choices, recognizing that their pursuit of desire has led to profound loneliness.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Dan discovers that "Alice" lied about her identity—her real name was Jane Jones. He never truly knew her. This revelation clarifies the film's thesis: intimacy is impossible without truth, and perhaps truth itself is impossible. He must accept the unknowability of others.
Synthesis
The finale shows the aftermath. Dan is alone with his memories and regrets. Larry and Anna are together but emotionally distant. Alice/Jane has left London, returning to New York and her true identity. Each character faces the consequences of their deceptions and desires.
Transformation
Alice walks through a New York crosswalk, passing strangers, returning to anonymity. Dan stands alone in London looking at her photographs. The symmetry with the opening is complete but inverted—connection has been replaced by permanent separation. Love has failed; isolation remains.