Jade
Someone does a nasty hatchet job on a San Fransisco big noise and the Assistant D.A. takes charge of the investigation. Through a web of blackmail and prostitution involving the Governor, an old lover of the lawman emerges as a prime suspect and he has to deal with his personal feelings as well as the case.
The film commercial failure against its respectable budget of $50.0M, earning $9.9M globally (-80% loss). While initial box office returns were modest, the film has gained appreciation for its distinctive approach within the crime genre.
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%)
Jade (1995) exhibits meticulously timed story structure, characteristic of William Friedkin's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 35 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.5, the film showcases strong structural fundamentals.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes San Francisco Assistant DA David Corelli lives a structured life as a successful prosecutor, navigating the city's legal and social elite with confidence and authority.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Evidence at the murder scene points to someone connected to Corelli's past: his former lover Trina, now married to the governor, making this a personally devastating and professionally dangerous case.. 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 24 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to Corelli makes the active choice to pursue the investigation despite the personal connection, crossing into a morally ambiguous world where he must investigate the woman he once loved., moving from reaction to action.
At 48 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat Corelli discovers that Trina is "Jade," a high-class escort involved in the dangerous sexual underground, and evidence increasingly implicates her in the murder. The stakes escalate from investigation to potential prosecution of someone he loves., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 72 minutes (76% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Corelli's partner is killed during the investigation, a literal death that represents the destruction of Corelli's faith in justice and his former idealistic self. Everything he believed in falls apart., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 77 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 81% of the runtime. Corelli uncovers the real killer's identity through a critical piece of evidence, synthesizing his investigative skills with his understanding of the people involved. He sees the truth clearly for the first time., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Jade's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping Jade against these established plot points, we can identify how William Friedkin utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Jade within the crime genre.
William Friedkin's Structural Approach
Among the 10 William Friedkin films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.1, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Jade represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete William Friedkin filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional crime films include The Bad Guys, Batman Forever and 12 Rounds. For more William Friedkin analyses, see To Live and Die in L.A., Cruising and Rules of Engagement.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
San Francisco Assistant DA David Corelli lives a structured life as a successful prosecutor, navigating the city's legal and social elite with confidence and authority.
Theme
At the crime scene, a detective remarks that "everyone has secrets" and "the people you think you know, you don't know at all," establishing the film's exploration of hidden identities and moral ambiguity.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to San Francisco's elite circles, the DA's office dynamics, Corelli's relationship with Governor Marsh and his wife Trina, and the discovery of millionaire Kyle Medford's brutal murder in his Pacific Heights mansion.
Disruption
Evidence at the murder scene points to someone connected to Corelli's past: his former lover Trina, now married to the governor, making this a personally devastating and professionally dangerous case.
Resistance
Corelli debates whether to recuse himself or investigate, consulting with his partner and confronting his conflicted feelings about Trina. He struggles with professional duty versus personal loyalty.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Corelli makes the active choice to pursue the investigation despite the personal connection, crossing into a morally ambiguous world where he must investigate the woman he once loved.
Mirror World
Corelli reconnects with Trina, who represents the thematic counterpoint of passion versus propriety, desire versus duty, forcing him to confront who he has become versus who he was.
Premise
Corelli investigates San Francisco's underground sexual subculture, uncovering connections between the victim, Trina, and a world of hidden desires. The investigation reveals layers of deception in the city's elite.
Midpoint
Corelli discovers that Trina is "Jade," a high-class escort involved in the dangerous sexual underground, and evidence increasingly implicates her in the murder. The stakes escalate from investigation to potential prosecution of someone he loves.
Opposition
Political pressure mounts from Governor Marsh, the evidence against Trina builds, and Corelli faces corruption within the DA's office. His professional reputation crumbles as he's torn between truth and loyalty.
Collapse
Corelli's partner is killed during the investigation, a literal death that represents the destruction of Corelli's faith in justice and his former idealistic self. Everything he believed in falls apart.
Crisis
Corelli spirals in darkness, questioning everything about his career, his judgment, and his feelings for Trina. He must decide whether to pursue justice or protect the woman he loves.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Corelli uncovers the real killer's identity through a critical piece of evidence, synthesizing his investigative skills with his understanding of the people involved. He sees the truth clearly for the first time.
Synthesis
Corelli confronts the actual murderer in a violent climax involving a high-speed chase through San Francisco. He executes justice outside the courtroom, resolving both the case and his personal crisis.
Transformation
Corelli stands alone, having lost his innocence and idealism but gained a harder wisdom about human nature, secrets, and the distance between legal justice and moral truth.