Presumed Innocent
Rusty Sabich is a deputy prosecutor engaged in an obsessive affair with a coworker who is murdered. Soon after, he's accused of the crime. And his fight to clear his name becomes a whirlpool of lies and hidden passions.
Despite a respectable budget of $22.0M, Presumed Innocent became a box office phenomenon, earning $221.3M worldwide—a remarkable 906% return.
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%)
Presumed Innocent (1990) reveals carefully calibrated dramatic framework, characteristic of Alan J. Pakula's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 14-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 7 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.4, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 2 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Rusty Sabich, chief deputy prosecutor, is shown as a respected, competent attorney in the DA's office, working on high-profile cases in a stable professional life.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 16 minutes when Carolyn Polhemus is found brutally murdered in her apartment. Rusty is assigned to investigate the case, forcing him to confront his former lover's death while hiding their affair.. 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 32 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to Rusty is arrested and charged with Carolyn's murder. He chooses to fight the charges and hires defense attorney Sandy Stern, fully entering the world of the accused rather than the prosecutor., moving from reaction to action.
At 64 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat The prosecution presents damning physical evidence: Rusty's fingerprints at the crime scene, phone records, and fibers from his home. What seemed like a case built on circumstantial evidence becomes a potential conviction., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 95 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The defense case seems to crumble when a crucial piece of evidence - the missing murder weapon analysis - appears to seal Rusty's fate. His career, marriage, and freedom all appear lost., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 102 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. The case is dismissed due to prosecutorial misconduct. Rusty is freed but must confront the aftermath. He returns home to discover the final truth: Barbara killed Carolyn in a rage over the affair, and has been silently watching him stand trial., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Presumed Innocent's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 14 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping Presumed Innocent 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 Presumed Innocent within the mystery 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. Presumed Innocent represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Alan J. Pakula filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional mystery films include Oblivion, From Darkness and American Gigolo. For more Alan J. Pakula analyses, see All the President's Men, Consenting Adults and Starting Over.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Rusty Sabich, chief deputy prosecutor, is shown as a respected, competent attorney in the DA's office, working on high-profile cases in a stable professional life.
Theme
A colleague discusses how the justice system is about perception and appearance, not just truth - foreshadowing the film's exploration of how guilt and innocence are constructed narratives.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of Rusty's world: his position in the DA's office under Raymond Horgan, his past affair with colleague Carolyn Polhemus, his strained marriage to Barbara, and the political pressures of an upcoming election.
Disruption
Carolyn Polhemus is found brutally murdered in her apartment. Rusty is assigned to investigate the case, forcing him to confront his former lover's death while hiding their affair.
Resistance
Rusty investigates Carolyn's murder while concealing his affair. He discovers troubling evidence, realizes he's being implicated, and debates whether to come clean about the relationship. Raymond loses the election to Nico Della Guardia.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Rusty is arrested and charged with Carolyn's murder. He chooses to fight the charges and hires defense attorney Sandy Stern, fully entering the world of the accused rather than the prosecutor.
Mirror World
Rusty's relationship with his wife Barbara becomes the emotional center. Her quiet strength and the question of whether she believes in his innocence mirrors the central theme of faith versus evidence.
Premise
The trial proceedings deliver the courtroom drama promised by the premise. Rusty and Stern navigate the prosecution's case, expose political motivations, cross-examine witnesses, and fight to create reasonable doubt while evidence mounts.
Midpoint
The prosecution presents damning physical evidence: Rusty's fingerprints at the crime scene, phone records, and fibers from his home. What seemed like a case built on circumstantial evidence becomes a potential conviction.
Opposition
The prosecution's case intensifies. Rusty's credibility is destroyed on the stand. His marriage deteriorates under the strain. Former allies testify against him. The political conspiracy becomes clearer but harder to prove.
Collapse
The defense case seems to crumble when a crucial piece of evidence - the missing murder weapon analysis - appears to seal Rusty's fate. His career, marriage, and freedom all appear lost.
Crisis
Rusty faces the darkest moment, confronting the possibility of conviction. He processes the betrayal, the loss of his career, and the damage to his family. The emotional toll of the trial weighs heaviest.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
The case is dismissed due to prosecutorial misconduct. Rusty is freed but must confront the aftermath. He returns home to discover the final truth: Barbara killed Carolyn in a rage over the affair, and has been silently watching him stand trial.
Transformation
Rusty, now knowing the truth about Barbara's guilt, chooses to remain silent and protect her. The prosecutor has become the defender, accepting a life built on a hidden truth - transformed from believer in absolute justice to understanding its moral complexity.