Human Capital
The destinies of two families are irrevocably tied together after a cyclist is hit off the road by a jeep in the night before Christmas Eve.
The film underperformed commercially against its small-scale budget of $6.0M, earning $5.8M globally (-3% 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%)
Human Capital (2013) showcases deliberately positioned narrative architecture, characteristic of Paolo Virzì'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 6.6, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Dino Ossola, a real estate agent in financial trouble, watches his daughter Serena perform in a theater production, establishing his aspirations for upward mobility through her relationship with wealthy Massimiliano.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 14 minutes when A cyclist is struck by a hit-and-run driver on a dark country road and left for dead. This incident becomes the catalyst connecting all characters, though its full significance is not yet revealed.. 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 28 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to Dino commits fully to the investment with Bernaschi, signing away his financial security. The narrative structure shifts to reveal the same timeline from Carla Bernaschi's perspective, entering a new layer of the story., moving from reaction to action.
At 56 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat The narrative shifts to Serena's perspective, revealing that Massimiliano was driving the car that hit the cyclist. The false security of the previous perspectives collapses as the truth of the hit-and-run is exposed., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 83 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The victim dies from his injuries, transforming the hit-and-run into manslaughter. Dino loses everything financially. The full moral and economic cost of everyone's choices becomes devastatingly clear., 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. Serena makes the decision about what she will do with the truth she knows. The legal and moral machinery begins moving toward resolution, though justice remains ambiguous., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Human Capital'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 Human Capital against these established plot points, we can identify how Paolo Virzì utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Human Capital within the drama genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional drama films include Eye for an Eye, South Pacific and Kiss of the Spider Woman.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Dino Ossola, a real estate agent in financial trouble, watches his daughter Serena perform in a theater production, establishing his aspirations for upward mobility through her relationship with wealthy Massimiliano.
Theme
At the Bernaschi family's lavish home, characters discuss the concept of "human capital" - the monetary value of a person's life - foreshadowing the film's exploration of how people are reduced to their economic worth.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to the intersecting worlds: Dino's middle-class struggle and social climbing, the wealthy Bernaschi family's privilege, and the theater community. Establishes class divisions and ambitions.
Disruption
A cyclist is struck by a hit-and-run driver on a dark country road and left for dead. This incident becomes the catalyst connecting all characters, though its full significance is not yet revealed.
Resistance
Dino pursues a risky investment scheme with Giovanni Bernaschi to secure his family's future, mortgaging everything. Meanwhile, relationships between the younger generation develop, and the investigation into the hit-and-run begins.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Dino commits fully to the investment with Bernaschi, signing away his financial security. The narrative structure shifts to reveal the same timeline from Carla Bernaschi's perspective, entering a new layer of the story.
Mirror World
Carla Bernaschi's chapter reveals her empty, privileged existence and loveless marriage. Her dissatisfaction and affair with theater director Donato mirror the film's theme of seeking value in the wrong places.
Premise
The multi-perspective structure unfolds, revealing how each character's choices and secrets interconnect. Carla's affair, Serena's pregnancy, and the various lies and compromises each character makes to maintain their desired image.
Midpoint
The narrative shifts to Serena's perspective, revealing that Massimiliano was driving the car that hit the cyclist. The false security of the previous perspectives collapses as the truth of the hit-and-run is exposed.
Opposition
The cover-up intensifies as the Bernaschi family protects Massimiliano. Pressure mounts from the investigation, Serena's moral conflict grows, and Dino's investment collapses. Each character's world begins to crumble under the weight of their choices.
Collapse
The victim dies from his injuries, transforming the hit-and-run into manslaughter. Dino loses everything financially. The full moral and economic cost of everyone's choices becomes devastatingly clear.
Crisis
Characters face the consequences of their moral compromises. Serena wrestles with whether to reveal the truth, Carla confronts her complicity, and Dino grapples with his total ruin in pursuit of wealth.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Serena makes the decision about what she will do with the truth she knows. The legal and moral machinery begins moving toward resolution, though justice remains ambiguous.
Synthesis
The final chapter reveals the aftermath: the legal resolution, who pays the price, and how each character has been transformed or destroyed by their pursuit of capital - both financial and human.
Transformation
The closing images show the characters in their new realities, having paid various prices for their moral choices. The system continues unchanged, suggesting that human capital remains a cold calculation in society.