Mulholland Falls
In 1950s Los Angeles, a special crime squad of the LAPD investigates the murder of a young woman.
The film commercial failure against its mid-range budget of $29.0M, earning $11.5M globally (-60% loss). While initial box office returns were modest, the film has gained appreciation for its bold vision within the drama 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%)
Mulholland Falls (1996) demonstrates deliberately positioned narrative design, characteristic of Lee Tamahori's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 14-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 47 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 Max Hoover and the elite "Hat Squad" demonstrate their brutal but effective methods, enforcing their own brand of justice in 1950s Los Angeles. They're untouchable lawmen operating with impunity.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 14 minutes when Allison Pond's body is discovered at the bottom of a ravine off Mulholland Drive. What appears to be a suicide becomes Max's case, unknowingly pulling him into a conspiracy involving his own past.. 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 27 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 26% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to Max discovers Allison's connection to himself—she was his former lover. He commits to pursuing the investigation despite the personal cost and mounting pressure to abandon the case., moving from reaction to action.
At 54 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat Max confronts General Marty at the military installation, discovering the scope of the conspiracy. This false victory—getting access to the general—becomes a defeat as Max realizes how powerful and untouchable his adversaries are., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 80 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Max is ordered off the case and threatened with losing everything. The Hat Squad is disbanded. The death of justice itself—the realization that Allison's murder will be covered up and forgotten., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 85 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Max confronts General Marty and those responsible for Allison's death. The final confrontation combines his detective skills with moral clarity, delivering his own form of justice outside the corrupted system., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Mulholland Falls's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 14 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping Mulholland Falls against these established plot points, we can identify how Lee Tamahori utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Mulholland Falls within the drama genre.
Lee Tamahori's Structural Approach
Among the 8 Lee Tamahori films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.2, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Mulholland Falls takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Lee Tamahori filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional drama films include Eye for an Eye, South Pacific and Kiss of the Spider Woman. For more Lee Tamahori analyses, see The Edge, xXx: State of the Union and Next.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Max Hoover and the elite "Hat Squad" demonstrate their brutal but effective methods, enforcing their own brand of justice in 1950s Los Angeles. They're untouchable lawmen operating with impunity.
Theme
A character remarks about power and corruption in Los Angeles, suggesting that some truths are too dangerous to pursue. The theme of institutional corruption versus individual justice is established.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to Max's world: the Hat Squad's brotherhood, their methods, Max's marriage, the glamorous yet corrupt backdrop of 1950s LA, and the power structures they navigate.
Disruption
Allison Pond's body is discovered at the bottom of a ravine off Mulholland Drive. What appears to be a suicide becomes Max's case, unknowingly pulling him into a conspiracy involving his own past.
Resistance
Max begins investigating Allison's death, uncovering strange evidence and connections to powerful figures. He debates how deep to dig as warnings emerge that this case is different and dangerous.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Max discovers Allison's connection to himself—she was his former lover. He commits to pursuing the investigation despite the personal cost and mounting pressure to abandon the case.
Mirror World
Max's relationship with his wife Katherine becomes strained as the investigation consumes him. This subplot mirrors the theme of loyalty versus truth, personal relationships versus duty.
Premise
Max and the Hat Squad investigate deeper, uncovering Allison's connection to General Marty and a military conspiracy involving atomic testing and cover-ups. Classic noir detective work amid 1950s intrigue.
Midpoint
Max confronts General Marty at the military installation, discovering the scope of the conspiracy. This false victory—getting access to the general—becomes a defeat as Max realizes how powerful and untouchable his adversaries are.
Opposition
The military and LAPD brass close ranks against Max. His squad faces threats, his marriage deteriorates, and evidence disappears. The system Max once dominated now works against him.
Collapse
Max is ordered off the case and threatened with losing everything. The Hat Squad is disbanded. The death of justice itself—the realization that Allison's murder will be covered up and forgotten.
Crisis
Max sits in darkness, processing the loss. He must choose between accepting defeat and the security of his old life, or sacrificing everything for a truth no one wants exposed.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Max confronts General Marty and those responsible for Allison's death. The final confrontation combines his detective skills with moral clarity, delivering his own form of justice outside the corrupted system.
Transformation
Max stands alone, no longer the untouchable enforcer from the opening. He's sacrificed his position and perhaps his marriage, but maintained his integrity. The noir hero transformed by pursuing truth in a corrupt world.