Coming Home
Lu and Feng are a devoted couple forced to separate when Lu is arrested and sent to a labor camp as a political prisoner during the Cultural Revolution. He finally returns home only to find that his beloved wife no longer remembers him.
The film earned $47.6M at the global box office.
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%)
Coming Home (2014) demonstrates strategically placed plot construction, characteristic of Zhang Yimou's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 51 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.5, the film showcases strong structural fundamentals.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 2 minutes (2% through the runtime) establishes Feng Wanyu and daughter Dandan live in constant fear during the Cultural Revolution. The family is broken - father Lu Yanshi has been in labor camp for years. Wanyu works at the factory while Dandan rehearses revolutionary ballet, both waiting and hoping.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when Word arrives that Lu Yanshi has escaped from the labor camp and is trying to come home. This disrupts the fragile stability Wanyu and Dandan have built. Wanyu is torn between hope and terror, while Dandan fears this will ruin her chances at the ballet role.. 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 24% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to Yanshi is captured and sent back to the labor camp. Wanyu makes the choice to wait for him, no matter how long it takes. She commits to preserving their love and her memories of him despite the system trying to erase both. This active choice defines her journey through Act 2., moving from reaction to action.
At 53 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 48% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat False victory: Wanyu seems to have a breakthrough moment of recognition when Yanshi plays their song on the piano. She smiles, seems to connect. For a moment, it appears love and persistence might overcome the psychological damage. The stakes raise - hope feels possible., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 80 minutes (72% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Yanshi realizes Wanyu may never remember him. The doctor confirms her amnesia is likely permanent - a psychological protection from unbearable trauma. The dream of their reunion "the way it was" dies. Their old love, their old life together, is truly gone forever., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 89 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Yanshi has a realization: he doesn't need her to remember the past. He can love her in the present, as she is now. He chooses to join her in her reality rather than forcing her into his. This synthesis of acceptance and devotion gives him new purpose., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Coming Home's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping Coming Home against these established plot points, we can identify how Zhang Yimou utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Coming Home within the drama genre.
Zhang Yimou's Structural Approach
Among the 11 Zhang Yimou films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.8, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. Coming Home represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Zhang Yimou filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional drama films include Eye for an Eye, South Pacific and Kiss of the Spider Woman. For more Zhang Yimou analyses, see The Great Wall, Cliff Walkers and Raise the Red Lantern.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Feng Wanyu and daughter Dandan live in constant fear during the Cultural Revolution. The family is broken - father Lu Yanshi has been in labor camp for years. Wanyu works at the factory while Dandan rehearses revolutionary ballet, both waiting and hoping.
Theme
A fellow factory worker tells Wanyu: "Some things, once broken, can never be put back together the same way." The theme of irreparable damage from trauma and separation is stated, foreshadowing the film's exploration of memory and loss.
Worldbuilding
We see the oppressive world of 1970s China: propaganda, political rehearsals, factory work, surveillance. Dandan is obsessed with being chosen as lead dancer. Wanyu maintains hope her husband will return, keeping his clothes and belongings. Mother and daughter have a strained relationship over the past.
Disruption
Word arrives that Lu Yanshi has escaped from the labor camp and is trying to come home. This disrupts the fragile stability Wanyu and Dandan have built. Wanyu is torn between hope and terror, while Dandan fears this will ruin her chances at the ballet role.
Resistance
Wanyu must decide whether to help her husband or protect her daughter's future. Dandan refuses to help, prioritizing her ballet audition. Yanshi secretly visits, and Wanyu sees him briefly at the train station. The reunion is heartbreaking - they cannot safely be together. Political authorities are watching.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Yanshi is captured and sent back to the labor camp. Wanyu makes the choice to wait for him, no matter how long it takes. She commits to preserving their love and her memories of him despite the system trying to erase both. This active choice defines her journey through Act 2.
Mirror World
Years pass. The Cultural Revolution ends. Yanshi is finally released and returns home as a free man. This moment introduces the relationship that will carry the theme - but Wanyu has developed amnesia from psychological trauma and doesn't recognize her own husband.
Premise
The "promise of the premise" - Yanshi tries everything to help Wanyu remember him. He moves into their home as a "boarder." He recreates moments from their past, plays piano, shows photographs. Each attempt brings small glimmers but no breakthrough. This is both tender and heartbreaking.
Midpoint
False victory: Wanyu seems to have a breakthrough moment of recognition when Yanshi plays their song on the piano. She smiles, seems to connect. For a moment, it appears love and persistence might overcome the psychological damage. The stakes raise - hope feels possible.
Opposition
But the recognition fades. Wanyu continues waiting at the train station every day for "her husband" to return, not understanding he's already here. Yanshi's efforts intensify but seem futile. Dandan, now grown, feels guilty about her past choices. The psychological damage proves deeper than anyone understood.
Collapse
Yanshi realizes Wanyu may never remember him. The doctor confirms her amnesia is likely permanent - a psychological protection from unbearable trauma. The dream of their reunion "the way it was" dies. Their old love, their old life together, is truly gone forever.
Crisis
Yanshi sits in darkness, processing this loss. He must decide: abandon hope of being recognized, or find a new way to love her. Dandan confronts her own guilt and grief. The family mourns what can never be recovered while sitting in the same room together.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Yanshi has a realization: he doesn't need her to remember the past. He can love her in the present, as she is now. He chooses to join her in her reality rather than forcing her into his. This synthesis of acceptance and devotion gives him new purpose.
Synthesis
Yanshi begins meeting Wanyu at the train station, pretending to be a stranger helping her wait for "her husband." He brings her food, keeps her company, protects her. She accepts his kindness. They build a new relationship - not the old one, but something real and present. Dandan watches and understands.
Transformation
Final image mirrors the opening but transformed: Wanyu and Yanshi sit together at the station, waiting. She still doesn't recognize him, but she smiles at his presence. He has learned that love isn't about being remembered - it's about staying. The broken thing hasn't been fixed, but something new and beautiful has emerged.