How Could I Live Without You?
Lili is a typical girl of our time: she's lonely and tries to convince herself that this is what's good for her. But one day, she finds an old package of letters in her parents' apartment, which her mother apparently didn't want to show her at all. Of course, she doesn't hesitate much, she starts reading, and the past comes alive... an unforgettable summer in the early 1990s, when three good friends are on vacation at Lake Balaton, and of them, only Eszter wants to stay faithful to her boyfriend who left her at home, who swallowed a stake. But her plans, which she usually follows with engineering precision, are slightly messed up when she meets Gergo, easygoing, funny and has another very good quality: he plays in a band and performs with his friends on the beach in Szigliget in the evenings.
The film struggled financially against its modest budget of $9.7M, earning $7.6M globally (-21% loss).
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%)
How Could I Live Without You? (2024) showcases deliberately positioned story structure, characteristic of Dénes Orosz's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 45 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.3, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes The protagonist is shown in a comfortable but emotionally dependent relationship, appearing content but lacking individual identity and purpose.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when The partner suddenly breaks up with them or announces they're leaving, shattering the protagonist's sense of security and forcing them to face life alone.. At 13% through the film, this Disruption is delayed, allowing extended setup of the story world. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 26 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to The protagonist makes an active choice to stop fighting for the relationship and commits to discovering who they are on their own, beginning their journey of self-discovery., moving from reaction to action.
At 53 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat A false victory: the protagonist feels they've found themselves and no longer need anyone, or the ex-partner returns wanting to reconcile, raising the stakes about what the protagonist truly wants., 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 (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The protagonist hits rock bottom: a major setback makes them question everything, they feel completely alone, and the old coping mechanisms fail—a metaphorical death of their former dependent self., reveals 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 80% of the runtime. A moment of clarity: the protagonist realizes they don't need to choose between independence and connection—they can be whole on their own AND open to love, synthesizing the lesson., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
How Could I Live Without You?'s emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping How Could I Live Without You? against these established plot points, we can identify how Dénes Orosz utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish How Could I Live Without You? within the comedy genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
The protagonist is shown in a comfortable but emotionally dependent relationship, appearing content but lacking individual identity and purpose.
Theme
A friend or mentor figure says something about the importance of being complete on your own before you can truly be with someone else.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to the protagonist's world: their relationship, their compromised dreams, their social circle, and the patterns of codependency that define their life.
Disruption
The partner suddenly breaks up with them or announces they're leaving, shattering the protagonist's sense of security and forcing them to face life alone.
Resistance
The protagonist resists the breakup, tries to win them back, debates whether they can survive alone, and gradually begins to consider building an independent life.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
The protagonist makes an active choice to stop fighting for the relationship and commits to discovering who they are on their own, beginning their journey of self-discovery.
Mirror World
Introduction of a new friendship, support group, or mentor figure who represents healthy independence and models what self-sufficiency looks like.
Premise
The protagonist explores life alone: rediscovering old passions, making new friends, taking risks, experiencing the fun and freedom of independence while learning to be comfortable in their own company.
Midpoint
A false victory: the protagonist feels they've found themselves and no longer need anyone, or the ex-partner returns wanting to reconcile, raising the stakes about what the protagonist truly wants.
Opposition
Old patterns and insecurities resurface; the protagonist struggles with loneliness, doubt, or the temptation to return to codependency; external pressures intensify the internal conflict.
Collapse
The protagonist hits rock bottom: a major setback makes them question everything, they feel completely alone, and the old coping mechanisms fail—a metaphorical death of their former dependent self.
Crisis
The dark night of the soul where the protagonist processes the pain, confronts their deepest fears about being alone, and sits with the discomfort of transformation.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
A moment of clarity: the protagonist realizes they don't need to choose between independence and connection—they can be whole on their own AND open to love, synthesizing the lesson.
Synthesis
The protagonist takes action from their new understanding: makes peace with their past, pursues their authentic path, and demonstrates their transformation through decisive choices about relationships and self.
Transformation
Final image mirrors the opening but shows transformation: the protagonist is now complete and content alone, whether or not they're with someone, embodying healthy independence and self-love.