The Choice
Travis and Gabby first meet as neighbors in a small coastal town and wind up in a relationship that is tested by life's most defining events.
Despite its modest budget of $10.0M, The Choice became a box office success, earning $23.7M worldwide—a 137% 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%)
The Choice (2016) showcases strategically placed narrative design, characteristic of Ross Katz's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 51 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 Travis Parker lives a carefree bachelor life in coastal North Carolina, surrounded by friends, enjoying his veterinary practice, and avoiding commitment. He's content with his playboy lifestyle and weekend barbecues.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Gabby's dog Molly gets pregnant after an encounter with Travis's dog Moby. Gabby confronts Travis angrily, disrupting both their lives. This conflict forces them into repeated contact despite their mutual irritation.. At 11% 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 27 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to Ryan leaves for medical conference. Gabby actively chooses to spend time with Travis, accepting his invitation to a carnival. This decision crosses the line from neighborly interaction to romantic pursuit, entering the new world of their relationship., moving from reaction to action.
At 54 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 49% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat False victory: Travis and Gabby are married with two young children, living an idyllic family life. Everything seems perfect - they've overcome all obstacles and their love has triumphed. But the stakes are about to be raised dramatically., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 81 minutes (73% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Doctors inform Travis that Gabby will likely never recover. He must sign papers to remove life support. The "whiff of death" - Gabby may die, and Travis must choose whether to hold on or let go. His perfect life has completely collapsed., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 87 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Travis chooses love over fear of pain. He decides to keep Gabby on life support and commits to staying by her side every day, no matter how long it takes. He synthesizes the theme: true love means choosing commitment even when the outcome is uncertain., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Choice'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 The Choice against these established plot points, we can identify how Ross Katz utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Choice 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
Travis Parker lives a carefree bachelor life in coastal North Carolina, surrounded by friends, enjoying his veterinary practice, and avoiding commitment. He's content with his playboy lifestyle and weekend barbecues.
Theme
Travis's sister Stephanie tells him, "Sometimes the hardest choices lead to the greatest rewards" - foreshadowing the film's central question about choosing love despite risk and pain.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to Travis's world: his veterinary practice, his tight-knit friend group, his waterfront home, and his commitment-phobic lifestyle. Gabby Holland moves in next door with her longtime boyfriend Ryan, a polished medical resident. Their first encounters are contentious.
Disruption
Gabby's dog Molly gets pregnant after an encounter with Travis's dog Moby. Gabby confronts Travis angrily, disrupting both their lives. This conflict forces them into repeated contact despite their mutual irritation.
Resistance
Travis and Gabby are forced to interact as they manage Molly's pregnancy. Despite her relationship with Ryan, undeniable chemistry develops. Travis begins falling for her but debates pursuing someone who's taken. Gabby resists her feelings, loyal to Ryan.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Ryan leaves for medical conference. Gabby actively chooses to spend time with Travis, accepting his invitation to a carnival. This decision crosses the line from neighborly interaction to romantic pursuit, entering the new world of their relationship.
Mirror World
Travis takes Gabby to meet his family, especially his sister Stephanie and her husband. Their committed, loving marriage represents the thematic counterpoint - showing Travis what real love and choice look like beyond his fear of commitment.
Premise
The promise of the premise: Travis and Gabby fall deeply in love. Romantic montages of their coastal life together - sailing, dancing, laughing. Gabby breaks up with Ryan. They build a life together, get married, have children. The joy and beauty of their committed relationship.
Midpoint
False victory: Travis and Gabby are married with two young children, living an idyllic family life. Everything seems perfect - they've overcome all obstacles and their love has triumphed. But the stakes are about to be raised dramatically.
Opposition
During a storm, Gabby drives to get their son's medication. A catastrophic car accident leaves her in a coma on life support. Travis is devastated. Doctors say she may never wake up. He must choose whether to keep her on life support or let her go, facing the ultimate test of their love.
Collapse
Doctors inform Travis that Gabby will likely never recover. He must sign papers to remove life support. The "whiff of death" - Gabby may die, and Travis must choose whether to hold on or let go. His perfect life has completely collapsed.
Crisis
Travis sits in darkness with Gabby's comatose body, wrestling with the impossible choice. He talks to her, remembers their life, processes his grief and guilt. He can't let her go but knows keeping her alive may be selfish. Dark night of the soul.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Travis chooses love over fear of pain. He decides to keep Gabby on life support and commits to staying by her side every day, no matter how long it takes. He synthesizes the theme: true love means choosing commitment even when the outcome is uncertain.
Synthesis
Travis visits Gabby daily for months, reading to her, talking to her, playing music. He maintains hope despite everyone's doubt. He cares for their children and holds the family together. His commitment is tested repeatedly but he never wavers. Finally, Gabby awakens.
Transformation
Gabby recovers and they return to their coastal home with their children. Mirror to opening: Travis is no longer the carefree bachelor avoiding commitment - he's a man who chose love through the darkest trial and emerged transformed, proving that the hardest choices lead to the greatest rewards.