See No Evil, Hear No Evil
A murder takes place in the shop of David Lyons, a deaf man who fails to hear the gunshot being fired. Outside, blind man Wally Karue hears the shot, but cannot see the perpetrator. Both are arrested, but escape to form an unlikely partnership. Being chased by both the law AND the original killers, can the pair work together to outwit them all?
Despite a mid-range budget of $18.0M, See No Evil, Hear No Evil became a solid performer, earning $46.9M worldwide—a 161% 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%)
See No Evil, Hear No Evil (1989) exemplifies deliberately positioned story structure, characteristic of Arthur Hiller's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 42 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.0, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Dave, a deaf man, runs a newsstand while Wally, a blind man, works at a nearby shop. Both navigate New York City with their disabilities, living separate but functional lives in their ordinary worlds.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when A woman is murdered right in front of Dave and Wally at the newsstand. Dave sees the killer but can't hear. Wally hears the gunshot but can't see. Both become witnesses and suspects, disrupting their ordinary lives completely.. 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 26 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 26% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to Dave and Wally are arrested and jailed together. They make the choice to escape custody and prove their innocence themselves rather than waiting for the system to fail them. They actively decide to become fugitives and partners., moving from reaction to action.
At 51 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat Dave and Wally discover a major clue about the murder - identifying the killer and the stolen rare coins. This feels like a victory as they're getting closer to clearing their names, but it raises the stakes as the killers now actively hunt them., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 77 minutes (76% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Dave and Wally are captured by the killers. They face execution, bound and helpless. Their partnership seems to have failed. Eve appears to have betrayed them. This is their darkest moment with death imminent., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 82 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 81% of the runtime. Dave and Wally synthesize their abilities perfectly to escape their bonds and turn the tables on the killers. They realize that together they make one complete person - the lesson they needed to learn. They choose to fight rather than flee., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
See No Evil, Hear No Evil's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping See No Evil, Hear No Evil against these established plot points, we can identify how Arthur Hiller utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish See No Evil, Hear No Evil within the comedy genre.
Arthur Hiller's Structural Approach
Among the 10 Arthur Hiller films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.2, reflecting strong command of classical structure. See No Evil, Hear No Evil takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Arthur Hiller filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Arthur Hiller analyses, see The Babe, Silver Streak and The In-Laws.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Dave, a deaf man, runs a newsstand while Wally, a blind man, works at a nearby shop. Both navigate New York City with their disabilities, living separate but functional lives in their ordinary worlds.
Theme
A character suggests that people need to rely on each other and work together, especially when they have different abilities - foreshadowing the partnership between Dave and Wally that will form.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to Dave's deaf world and Wally's blind world. Dave communicates through sign language and lip reading. Wally relies on sound and touch. Both are competent but limited by their disabilities. The criminal world is also established with a murder plot involving stolen coins.
Disruption
A woman is murdered right in front of Dave and Wally at the newsstand. Dave sees the killer but can't hear. Wally hears the gunshot but can't see. Both become witnesses and suspects, disrupting their ordinary lives completely.
Resistance
Dave and Wally are interrogated by police and become prime suspects. They resist working together initially due to frustration with their limitations. They debate whether to flee or trust the system. The real killers frame them further, increasing pressure.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Dave and Wally are arrested and jailed together. They make the choice to escape custody and prove their innocence themselves rather than waiting for the system to fail them. They actively decide to become fugitives and partners.
Mirror World
Dave and Wally begin to truly work together, combining Dave's sight with Wally's hearing. A romantic subplot develops as they encounter Eve, the sister of the murdered woman, who becomes both a love interest and thematic mirror showing trust and partnership.
Premise
The fun and games of a blind man and deaf man on the run. Comedy ensues as they navigate chases, disguises, and investigations. They learn to complement each other's abilities - Wally describes what Dave can't hear, Dave guides where Wally can't see. They track down leads about the stolen coins.
Midpoint
Dave and Wally discover a major clue about the murder - identifying the killer and the stolen rare coins. This feels like a victory as they're getting closer to clearing their names, but it raises the stakes as the killers now actively hunt them.
Opposition
The killers close in on Dave and Wally. Multiple attempts on their lives occur. Trust issues emerge - is Eve really helping them or working with the killers? The police intensify their manhunt. Every lead seems to put them in more danger.
Collapse
Dave and Wally are captured by the killers. They face execution, bound and helpless. Their partnership seems to have failed. Eve appears to have betrayed them. This is their darkest moment with death imminent.
Crisis
In captivity, facing death, Dave and Wally have their dark night moment. They reflect on their partnership and realize they've become more than reluctant allies - they've become friends who truly understand each other. They find resolve to fight back.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Dave and Wally synthesize their abilities perfectly to escape their bonds and turn the tables on the killers. They realize that together they make one complete person - the lesson they needed to learn. They choose to fight rather than flee.
Synthesis
The finale confrontation with the killers. Dave and Wally work in perfect sync, using their combined abilities to outwit and defeat the criminals. They expose the truth, clear their names, and save Eve. The police arrive to arrest the real killers.
Transformation
Dave and Wally stand together as true partners and friends, their disabilities no longer isolating limitations but complementary strengths. They've transformed from two incomplete individuals into a powerful team, with respect and friendship replacing their initial frustration.