The Midwife
Claire is a midwife in a maternity hospital. She is humane and helpful and gives herself entirely to her patients. But despite that her life is not a bed of roses. Her hospital is about to close its doors and the devoted woman is determined not to work in the new modern hospital she regards as a "baby factory". Her personal life is no triumph either: she is single and does not make friends easily. To make matters worse, her student son Simon is gradually leaving home, as he is developing a relationship with his new sweetheart Lucie. It is the moment that Béatrice, her dead father's former mistress, chooses to resurface. The eccentric, spendthrift, sensual, amoral woman (Claire's exact opposite in fact) is really the last kind of person she needs to mix with. But Béatrice soon informs her that she suffers from brain cancer and she has nobody else to turn to. Torn between rejection and duty, what is Claire going to do?
Working with a small-scale budget of $7.0M, the film achieved a modest success with $7.3M in global revenue (+4% profit margin).
1 win & 1 nomination
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 Midwife (2017) showcases carefully calibrated story structure, characteristic of Martin Provost's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 57 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.2, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Claire works methodically as a dedicated midwife at a small maternity clinic, living a quiet, controlled life devoted to her work and caring for her elderly father.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 14 minutes when Béatrice, the glamorous former mistress of Claire's late father, unexpectedly contacts Claire after 30 years, revealing she is ill and seeking reconnection.. 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 29 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to Claire makes the active choice to allow Béatrice back into her life, agreeing to help her through her illness despite their painful history., moving from reaction to action.
At 59 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat Claire experiences a moment of joy and liberation with Béatrice - perhaps a celebration or adventure that makes her feel truly alive. False victory: it seems their friendship is healing old wounds., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 86 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Claire discovers Béatrice has been lying about something significant (her illness prognosis or financial situation), or Béatrice's condition critically deteriorates. Claire feels betrayed and confronts the pain of losing everyone she cares about., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 94 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Claire realizes that Béatrice taught her how to truly live and that love and connection - even with pain - are better than isolation. She chooses forgiveness and presence over self-protection., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Midwife'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 The Midwife against these established plot points, we can identify how Martin Provost utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Midwife 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
Claire works methodically as a dedicated midwife at a small maternity clinic, living a quiet, controlled life devoted to her work and caring for her elderly father.
Theme
A colleague or patient mentions that life is about letting go and accepting change, foreshadowing Claire's journey from rigidity to openness.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of Claire's orderly world: her dedication to her patients, her routine visits to her ailing father, the impending closure of her clinic, and her solitary lifestyle.
Disruption
Béatrice, the glamorous former mistress of Claire's late father, unexpectedly contacts Claire after 30 years, revealing she is ill and seeking reconnection.
Resistance
Claire reluctantly agrees to meet Béatrice. They have an awkward reunion where Béatrice's chaotic, hedonistic personality clashes with Claire's reserved nature. Claire debates whether to maintain contact.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Claire makes the active choice to allow Béatrice back into her life, agreeing to help her through her illness despite their painful history.
Mirror World
Béatrice becomes Claire's thematic mirror - representing spontaneity, passion, and living fully versus Claire's controlled existence. Their developing friendship offers Claire a different way of being.
Premise
Claire and Béatrice spend time together, exploring their differences. Béatrice encourages Claire to embrace life, introducing her to new experiences. Claire begins to loosen her rigid control while dealing with her clinic's closure and father's decline.
Midpoint
Claire experiences a moment of joy and liberation with Béatrice - perhaps a celebration or adventure that makes her feel truly alive. False victory: it seems their friendship is healing old wounds.
Opposition
Complications arise: Béatrice's health worsens, revealing she may have been hiding the severity of her condition. Claire's father dies. The maternity clinic officially closes. Claire's newfound openness is tested by accumulating losses.
Collapse
Claire discovers Béatrice has been lying about something significant (her illness prognosis or financial situation), or Béatrice's condition critically deteriorates. Claire feels betrayed and confronts the pain of losing everyone she cares about.
Crisis
Claire withdraws emotionally, processing the loss of her father, her clinic, and the potential loss of Béatrice. She questions whether opening her heart was worth the pain.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Claire realizes that Béatrice taught her how to truly live and that love and connection - even with pain - are better than isolation. She chooses forgiveness and presence over self-protection.
Synthesis
Claire reconciles with Béatrice, caring for her with compassion. She begins a new chapter at a different clinic or embraces a new opportunity. She integrates Béatrice's vitality with her own groundedness.
Transformation
Claire is shown in a moment mirroring the opening - perhaps at work or in daily life - but now she carries herself with warmth, openness, and acceptance. She has learned to embrace life's messiness and beauty.