Shakedown
A drug dealer shoots a corrupt police officer. Though the drug dealer admits his guilt, he pleads self-defense. His lawyer, Roland Dalton, and renegade loner NYPD narcotics agent Richie Marks, pursue evidence in his favor. They encounter difficulties from other corrupt police officers, drug dealers, and various street scum. Dalton's life is further complicated by the fact that the prosecuting attorney is a former lover.
Working with a limited budget of $6.0M, the film achieved a modest success with $10.1M in global revenue (+68% profit margin).
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%)
Shakedown (1988) demonstrates precise narrative architecture, characteristic of James Glickenhaus's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 33 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.8, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Roland Dalton, an idealistic public defender, works within the legal system defending clients he believes deserve representation, living a comfortable but compartmentalized professional life.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Roland's client, a drug dealer, is killed in what appears to be a police cover-up. Roland witnesses evidence suggesting cops murdered his client, confronting him with systemic corruption he can't ignore.. 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 23 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to Roland makes the active choice to investigate the police corruption and pursue justice for his murdered client, committing himself to a dangerous path that will take him outside the courtroom and into the streets., moving from reaction to action.
At 47 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat Roland and Richie uncover the full scope of the conspiracy involving high-ranking police officials and organized crime. The stakes escalate dramatically as they realize the corruption goes higher than expected, making them marked targets., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 70 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, A major ally or witness is killed, and their case appears to fall apart. Roland faces the possibility that his investigation has only caused more death without achieving justice, and that the system will protect its own no matter what., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 74 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Roland synthesizes his legal knowledge with Richie's street tactics, realizing they must expose the corruption through a direct confrontation that forces the truth into the open. He commits to a final, dangerous plan., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Shakedown's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping Shakedown against these established plot points, we can identify how James Glickenhaus utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Shakedown within the action genre.
James Glickenhaus's Structural Approach
Among the 2 James Glickenhaus films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.8, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. Shakedown represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete James Glickenhaus filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more James Glickenhaus analyses, see The Soldier.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Roland Dalton, an idealistic public defender, works within the legal system defending clients he believes deserve representation, living a comfortable but compartmentalized professional life.
Theme
A character suggests that fighting corruption means getting your hands dirty and challenging the system from within, not just playing by rules designed to protect the guilty.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to New York's criminal justice system, Roland's legal practice, and the seedy underworld of drugs and police corruption. We meet key players including undercover cop Richie Marks who operates in morally gray territory.
Disruption
Roland's client, a drug dealer, is killed in what appears to be a police cover-up. Roland witnesses evidence suggesting cops murdered his client, confronting him with systemic corruption he can't ignore.
Resistance
Roland debates whether to pursue the case, resisting involvement in dangerous territory. Richie Marks becomes an unlikely guide, revealing the depth of corruption while Roland struggles with abandoning his safe, conventional approach to justice.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Roland makes the active choice to investigate the police corruption and pursue justice for his murdered client, committing himself to a dangerous path that will take him outside the courtroom and into the streets.
Mirror World
Roland and Richie form an unlikely partnership. Richie, the street-smart cop who bends rules, represents what Roland must learn: that justice sometimes requires operating outside the system he's trusted.
Premise
Roland and Richie investigate the corruption, gathering evidence and confronting dirty cops. Action sequences deliver on the premise: a lawyer turned street-level investigator navigating a world of violence and betrayal, learning to fight fire with fire.
Midpoint
Roland and Richie uncover the full scope of the conspiracy involving high-ranking police officials and organized crime. The stakes escalate dramatically as they realize the corruption goes higher than expected, making them marked targets.
Opposition
The corrupt cops close in on Roland and Richie. Attempts on their lives intensify, witnesses are killed, evidence disappears, and the institutional power they're fighting against tightens its grip. Roland's idealism is tested as violence surrounds him.
Collapse
A major ally or witness is killed, and their case appears to fall apart. Roland faces the possibility that his investigation has only caused more death without achieving justice, and that the system will protect its own no matter what.
Crisis
Roland confronts the cost of his crusade and questions whether fighting corruption from within a corrupt system is possible. He must decide if he's willing to go all the way, abandoning his faith in legal procedure for direct action.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Roland synthesizes his legal knowledge with Richie's street tactics, realizing they must expose the corruption through a direct confrontation that forces the truth into the open. He commits to a final, dangerous plan.
Synthesis
Roland and Richie execute their plan to expose and confront the corrupt officials. Action-packed finale combines courtroom tactics with physical confrontation, bringing the conspiracy into the light and holding the guilty accountable through a blend of both their skills.
Transformation
Roland, no longer the naive public defender, has become someone who understands that justice requires more than faith in systems. He's transformed into a warrior for truth who knows when to fight outside the lines he once respected.