Dying Young
After she discovers that her boyfriend has betrayed her, Hilary O'Neil is looking for a new start and a new job. She begins to work as a private nurse for a young man suffering from blood cancer. Slowly, they fall in love, but they always know their love cannot last because he is destined to die.
Despite a moderate budget of $18.0M, Dying Young became a commercial success, earning $82.3M worldwide—a 357% 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%)
Dying Young (1991) reveals strategically placed narrative architecture, characteristic of Joel Schumacher's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 9-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 51 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 5.9, the film takes an unconventional approach to traditional narrative frameworks.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Hilary O'Neil is shown in her struggling working-class life in San Francisco, recently fired from her waitressing job, financially unstable, and dealing with a cheating boyfriend. Her world is one of disappointment and dead-ends.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The Collapse moment at 83 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Victor suffers a severe health crisis and nearly dies. Hilary realizes she may lose him and confronts the full weight of loving someone who is dying. The dream of their future together shatters, and death becomes imminent and real., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 89 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Hilary and Victor face his illness together with honesty and courage. They navigate the final stages of treatment and his uncertain prognosis, choosing to embrace whatever time they have with dignity, love, and presence rather than fear., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Dying Young's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 9 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping Dying Young against these established plot points, we can identify how Joel Schumacher utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Dying Young within the drama genre.
Joel Schumacher's Structural Approach
Among the 17 Joel Schumacher films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.0, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Dying Young takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Joel Schumacher filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional drama films include Eye for an Eye, South Pacific and Kiss of the Spider Woman. For more Joel Schumacher analyses, see Batman Forever, Phone Booth and The Client.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Hilary O'Neil is shown in her struggling working-class life in San Francisco, recently fired from her waitressing job, financially unstable, and dealing with a cheating boyfriend. Her world is one of disappointment and dead-ends.
Theme
Hilary's friend mentions the opportunity to be a caregiver, suggesting that sometimes taking care of someone else can change your life. The theme of finding purpose and transformation through love and sacrifice is introduced.
Worldbuilding
We see Hilary's ordinary world: her modest apartment, her troubled relationship, her working-class struggles, and her lack of direction. Meanwhile, we're introduced to Victor Geddes, a wealthy young man with leukemia who needs a caregiver.
Resistance
Hilary debates whether to accept this challenging job caring for a dying man. She meets Victor properly, experiences his mood swings and the difficulty of chemotherapy care, and questions if she can handle this emotionally demanding role.
Act II
ConfrontationPremise
The promise of the premise unfolds: a romance between a dying wealthy man and his working-class caregiver. They fall in love, escape to a coastal mansion, experience moments of joy and beauty, and Hilary discovers a world of art, culture, and deep emotional connection she never knew.
Opposition
Victor's father and the outside world close in, questioning the relationship. Victor's health becomes unstable again. The reality of his illness resurfaces with complications and setbacks. Hilary must face that love may not be enough, and Victor struggles with becoming a burden.
Collapse
Victor suffers a severe health crisis and nearly dies. Hilary realizes she may lose him and confronts the full weight of loving someone who is dying. The dream of their future together shatters, and death becomes imminent and real.
Crisis
In the darkness following Victor's collapse, Hilary processes her grief and fear. She must decide whether to stay and face the inevitable loss or protect herself by leaving. Victor, too, faces whether to push her away to spare her pain.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Hilary and Victor face his illness together with honesty and courage. They navigate the final stages of treatment and his uncertain prognosis, choosing to embrace whatever time they have with dignity, love, and presence rather than fear.