Final Analysis
A psychiatrist (Gere) has an affair with his patient's sister (Basinger) who is married to a Greek mobster (Roberts). The mobster is a tyrant over his wife. The psychiatrist wants her to get a divorce, but she is afraid of what her husband would do. She has a medical condition that becomes apparent when she drinks. One night she drinks anyway and attacks her husband. The psychiatrist uses his professional pull to try and help her out of the consequences of her actions, but becomes uncertain if she is telling him the truth.
The film underperformed commercially against its moderate budget of $32.0M, earning $28.6M globally (-11% loss).
1 win & 4 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%)
Final Analysis (1992) showcases deliberately positioned narrative architecture, characteristic of Phil Joanou's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 4 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.8, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Dr. Isaac Barr conducts therapy sessions in his San Francisco practice, a rational psychiatrist in control of his professional world.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 15 minutes when Isaac meets Diana's sister Heather Evans at a gallery opening and is immediately drawn to her. She describes terrifying pathological episodes and her controlling husband Jimmy.. 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 25% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to Isaac chooses to begin treating Heather and simultaneously enters into an affair with her, crossing the ethical boundary and entering a dangerous new world., moving from reaction to action.
At 61 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat During a violent confrontation, Heather kills her husband Jimmy during what appears to be one of her pathological episodes. Isaac believes he witnessed her condition, but the stakes have escalated to murder., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 92 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Isaac discovers the truth: Heather and Diana conspired to manipulate him. Heather never had a pathological condition—it was an elaborate scheme to murder Jimmy and use Isaac's testimony as cover., reveals 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. Isaac synthesizes his psychiatric knowledge with the evidence of the conspiracy. He realizes he must use his understanding of psychology to expose the truth and turn the manipulation against the manipulators., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Final Analysis'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 Final Analysis against these established plot points, we can identify how Phil Joanou utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Final Analysis within the drama genre.
Phil Joanou's Structural Approach
Among the 2 Phil Joanou films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.0, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Final Analysis takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Phil Joanou filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional drama films include Eye for an Eye, South Pacific and Kiss of the Spider Woman. For more Phil Joanou analyses, see Gridiron Gang.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Dr. Isaac Barr conducts therapy sessions in his San Francisco practice, a rational psychiatrist in control of his professional world.
Theme
Diana Baylor warns Isaac about getting too involved: "Sometimes the mind plays tricks on us, makes us see what we want to see." The theme of perception versus reality is established.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to Isaac's world as a psychiatrist, his patient Diana Baylor's troubled sessions discussing her sister Heather, and the ethical boundaries of his profession.
Disruption
Isaac meets Diana's sister Heather Evans at a gallery opening and is immediately drawn to her. She describes terrifying pathological episodes and her controlling husband Jimmy.
Resistance
Isaac debates whether to get involved with Heather professionally and personally. He investigates her condition, consults colleagues, and struggles with his growing attraction despite ethical concerns.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Isaac chooses to begin treating Heather and simultaneously enters into an affair with her, crossing the ethical boundary and entering a dangerous new world.
Mirror World
Isaac's relationship with Heather deepens. She represents everything his rational world cannot explain—passion, danger, and emotional surrender that challenges his professional detachment.
Premise
Isaac explores Heather's psychological condition while conducting their secret affair. He experiences the thrill of breaking his own rules, investigating her mysterious episodes and abusive marriage.
Midpoint
During a violent confrontation, Heather kills her husband Jimmy during what appears to be one of her pathological episodes. Isaac believes he witnessed her condition, but the stakes have escalated to murder.
Opposition
Isaac testifies as an expert witness for Heather's defense, committing deeper to her story. Detective Huggins grows suspicious of their relationship. Evidence begins contradicting Heather's condition.
Collapse
Isaac discovers the truth: Heather and Diana conspired to manipulate him. Heather never had a pathological condition—it was an elaborate scheme to murder Jimmy and use Isaac's testimony as cover.
Crisis
Isaac realizes he's been completely deceived and manipulated. His career, credibility, and freedom are at stake. He faces the darkness of his own hubris and compromised ethics.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Isaac synthesizes his psychiatric knowledge with the evidence of the conspiracy. He realizes he must use his understanding of psychology to expose the truth and turn the manipulation against the manipulators.
Synthesis
Isaac orchestrates a confrontation at the lighthouse where he exposes the conspiracy. A climactic struggle ensues where Heather's true nature is revealed and justice is achieved through psychological insight.
Transformation
Isaac emerges wiser but wounded, having learned that rationality must be tempered with ethical boundaries. His final image shows a man who understands the limits of perception and the cost of hubris.