Respect
The rise of Aretha Franklin’s career from a child singing in her father’s church’s choir to her international superstardom.
The film underperformed commercially against its moderate budget of $55.0M, earning $31.2M globally (-43% loss). While initial box office returns were modest, the film has gained appreciation for its innovative storytelling 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%)
Respect (2021) demonstrates precise narrative architecture, characteristic of Liesl Tommy's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 25 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.9, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Young Aretha awakened at night by her father's party, witnessing her mother's pain and the chaotic household. Establishes her world of gospel music, her father's domineering presence, and her mother's quiet suffering.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 19 minutes when Adult Aretha (Jennifer Hudson) is introduced, now recording for Columbia Records but struggling to find commercial success. Her talent is undeniable but her recordings lack authenticity—she's singing other people's visions, not her own voice.. 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 36 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to Aretha makes the active choice to sign with Atlantic Records and travels to Muscle Shoals, Alabama to record with producer Jerry Wexler. This is her decision to pursue authentic soul music on her own terms, leaving behind the supper-club standards of Columbia., moving from reaction to action.
At 73 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat Aretha achieves massive success with "Respect" becoming an anthem. She appears to have everything—fame, critical acclaim, commercial success. False victory: outwardly triumphant, but her personal life is deteriorating as Ted's abuse escalates and she begins drinking heavily to cope., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 110 minutes (76% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Aretha hits rock bottom during a disastrous performance where she's clearly intoxicated and breaks down on stage. Ted's abuse has broken her spirit. The woman who sang about respect has lost all self-respect. This is her "whiff of death"—the death of her sense of self and her gift., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 116 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Aretha finds the strength to leave Ted White and reclaim her independence. She synthesizes her mother's lesson about finding her voice with her own power. She reconnects with her faith and her sisters. She realizes that her voice—both literal and metaphorical—belongs to her alone., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Respect'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 Respect against these established plot points, we can identify how Liesl Tommy utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Respect 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
Young Aretha awakened at night by her father's party, witnessing her mother's pain and the chaotic household. Establishes her world of gospel music, her father's domineering presence, and her mother's quiet suffering.
Theme
Aretha's mother tells her: "You have to find your own voice. Don't let anyone take it from you." This becomes the central thematic question of whether Aretha can claim her own identity and power.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of young Aretha's world: her prodigious talent singing gospel in her father C.L. Franklin's church, her mother's departure, her traumatic childhood experiences, and her father's control over her career. Shows the foundation of her musical gift and the wounds that will shape her journey.
Disruption
Adult Aretha (Jennifer Hudson) is introduced, now recording for Columbia Records but struggling to find commercial success. Her talent is undeniable but her recordings lack authenticity—she's singing other people's visions, not her own voice.
Resistance
Aretha meets and marries Ted White, her first husband who becomes her manager. She debates leaving Columbia Records. Ted pushes her to take control of her career, but his controlling and abusive nature begins to emerge. Her father disapproves of Ted. Aretha is caught between men trying to control her.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Aretha makes the active choice to sign with Atlantic Records and travels to Muscle Shoals, Alabama to record with producer Jerry Wexler. This is her decision to pursue authentic soul music on her own terms, leaving behind the supper-club standards of Columbia.
Mirror World
In Muscle Shoals studio, Aretha connects with the musicians and begins to find her authentic voice. Her relationship with the supportive creative team (Jerry Wexler, the Muscle Shoals players) represents the collaborative respect she needs versus the control she experiences with Ted and her father.
Premise
The promise of the premise: Aretha recording classic hits including "I Never Loved a Man," "Respect," "Dr. Feelgood," and "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman." Her star rises meteorically. She becomes the Queen of Soul, performing on tours, appearing on magazine covers, achieving the success she's always deserved. The fun of watching her genius emerge.
Midpoint
Aretha achieves massive success with "Respect" becoming an anthem. She appears to have everything—fame, critical acclaim, commercial success. False victory: outwardly triumphant, but her personal life is deteriorating as Ted's abuse escalates and she begins drinking heavily to cope.
Opposition
The bad guys close in: Ted's physical and emotional abuse intensifies. Aretha's drinking worsens. She becomes increasingly isolated and controlled. Her father tries to intervene but she pushes him away. Her performances suffer. The pressure of fame, combined with her unhealed childhood trauma and abusive marriage, threatens to destroy her.
Collapse
Aretha hits rock bottom during a disastrous performance where she's clearly intoxicated and breaks down on stage. Ted's abuse has broken her spirit. The woman who sang about respect has lost all self-respect. This is her "whiff of death"—the death of her sense of self and her gift.
Crisis
Aretha retreats from performing, struggling with depression and alcoholism. She confronts the darkness of her childhood trauma, her mother's absence, and the pattern of allowing men to control her. Dark night of the soul as she processes whether she can reclaim herself.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Aretha finds the strength to leave Ted White and reclaim her independence. She synthesizes her mother's lesson about finding her voice with her own power. She reconnects with her faith and her sisters. She realizes that her voice—both literal and metaphorical—belongs to her alone.
Synthesis
Aretha records "Amazing Grace," the best-selling gospel album of all time, in her father's church. She returns to her roots but now as a free woman in control of her artistry. She performs with power, authority, and authenticity. She confronts her past, makes peace with her father, and honors her mother's memory. The finale is her triumph as a complete artist and self-possessed woman.
Transformation
Aretha performs "Amazing Grace" with full power and freedom, surrounded by her family and community. The final image mirrors the opening: she's still in church, still singing, but now she owns her voice completely. She has transformed from a controlled, silenced girl to the Queen of Soul who claims her crown on her own terms.