Klute
Six months after the disappearance of Tuscarora, PA businessman Tom Gruneman, his boss, Peter Cable, and his wife, Holly Gruneman, hire Tom's friend, private detective John Klute to find out what happened to Tom, as the police have been unable to do so, and despite John having no expertise in missing persons cases. The only lead is a typewritten obscene letter Tom purportedly wrote to Manhattan actress/model/call girl Bree Daniel, who admits to having received such letters from someone, and since having received several mysterious telephone calls as well. The suggestion/belief is that Tom was one of Bree's past johns, although she has no recollection of him when shown his photograph. Bree's tricking is both a compulsion and a financial need. In their initial encounters, John and Bree do whatever they can to exert their psychological dominance over the other, especially as Bree initially refused to even speak to him. Despite their less than friendly start, they embark on a personal relationship based on emotional need, but it is a relationship Bree tries to sabotage because of those same issues which causes her to turn tricks. As they follow the leads through Bree's call girl world, they know they're getting close to finding the truth when someone continues to torment Bree. They believe the key to Tom's disappearance is a violent john who tried to kill her a few years earlier when Tom disappeared but who she doesn't remember. The questions become whether John and Bree can discover his identity and stop him before he tries to kill Bree again, and whether there is a future for them together.
Despite its tight budget of $2.5M, Klute became a commercial success, earning $12.5M worldwide—a 401% return. The film's unique voice found its audience, confirming that strong storytelling can transcend budget limitations.
1 Oscar. 9 wins & 5 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%)
Klute (1971) exhibits precise narrative design, characteristic of Alan J. Pakula's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 13-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 54 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.1, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Opening board meeting establishes Tom Gruneman's disappearance six months ago; his colleague Cable listens to disturbing audio tape of woman and Gruneman, setting the mystery in motion.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 14 minutes when Klute arrives at Bree's apartment to question her about obscene letters written to her on Gruneman's typewriter, forcing her controlled world to intersect with a dangerous mystery.. 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 29 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to Bree agrees to actively help Klute investigate, visiting her former pimp Frank Ligourin and entering the dangerous underworld of the case, committing herself to the investigation., moving from reaction to action.
At 57 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat Discovery that another prostitute (Arlyn Page) who knew Gruneman has been murdered; stakes escalate dramatically as Bree realizes she's being stalked and her life is in genuine danger., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 86 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Bree is attacked in her apartment and nearly killed; Klute saves her but the psychological toll shatters her defenses, forcing her to confront her deepest fears about powerlessness., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 92 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Climactic confrontation at Cable's garment factory where he confesses to murdering Gruneman and Arlyn; Klute rescues Bree as Cable falls to his death; case resolved., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Klute's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 13 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping Klute against these established plot points, we can identify how Alan J. Pakula utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Klute within the crime genre.
Alan J. Pakula's Structural Approach
Among the 10 Alan J. Pakula films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.3, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Klute takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Alan J. Pakula filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional crime films include The Bad Guys, Batman Forever and 12 Rounds. For more Alan J. Pakula analyses, see All the President's Men, Presumed Innocent and Consenting Adults.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Opening board meeting establishes Tom Gruneman's disappearance six months ago; his colleague Cable listens to disturbing audio tape of woman and Gruneman, setting the mystery in motion.
Theme
Bree Daniels in therapy session states, "I need to be in control," revealing the film's central theme of control versus vulnerability and authentic human connection.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to Bree's world as a high-end call girl in New York, her therapy sessions revealing emotional detachment; John Klute shown as methodical small-town detective beginning investigation into his missing friend.
Disruption
Klute arrives at Bree's apartment to question her about obscene letters written to her on Gruneman's typewriter, forcing her controlled world to intersect with a dangerous mystery.
Resistance
Bree resists Klute's investigation, denying knowledge while he methodically pursues leads; she debates whether to help or maintain her protective emotional distance from the case.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Bree agrees to actively help Klute investigate, visiting her former pimp Frank Ligourin and entering the dangerous underworld of the case, committing herself to the investigation.
Premise
The investigation proceeds with Bree and Klute working together, following leads through New York's underground; Bree begins losing clients and control while growing closer to Klute emotionally.
Midpoint
Discovery that another prostitute (Arlyn Page) who knew Gruneman has been murdered; stakes escalate dramatically as Bree realizes she's being stalked and her life is in genuine danger.
Opposition
Bree's paranoia intensifies as surveillance and threats increase; her relationship with Klute deepens but she fights vulnerability; investigation points toward someone in Gruneman's corporate circle.
Collapse
Bree is attacked in her apartment and nearly killed; Klute saves her but the psychological toll shatters her defenses, forcing her to confront her deepest fears about powerlessness.
Crisis
In the aftermath of the attack, Bree processes trauma and her feelings for Klute; she wrestles with whether to flee back to her old defended life or embrace authentic vulnerability.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Climactic confrontation at Cable's garment factory where he confesses to murdering Gruneman and Arlyn; Klute rescues Bree as Cable falls to his death; case resolved.
Transformation
Final therapy session and Bree packing to leave with Klute for Pennsylvania; her voiceover reveals continued ambivalence but willingness to try authentic relationship, showing growth while honestly acknowledging her uncertainties.