Vera Drake
Vera Drake is a selfless woman who is completely devoted to, and loved by, her working class family. She spends her days doting on them and caring for her sick neighbor and elderly mother. However, she also secretly visits women and helps them induce miscarriages for unwanted pregnancies. While the practice itself was illegal in 1950s England, Vera sees herself as simply helping women in need, and always does so with a smile and kind words of encouragement. When the authorities finally find her out, Vera's world and family life rapidly unravel.
Working with a tight budget of $11.0M, the film achieved a steady performer with $13.3M in global revenue (+21% profit margin).
Nominated for 3 Oscars. 41 wins & 45 nominations
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%)
Vera Drake (2004) exhibits deliberately positioned narrative architecture, characteristic of Mike Leigh's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 5 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.0, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 2 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Vera Drake cheerfully prepares tea in her modest London home, humming as she works. She visits elderly neighbors to help them with cleaning and care, embodying selfless kindness and contentment in her working-class life in 1950s England.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 16 minutes when A young woman collapses and is rushed to hospital after one of Vera's "helped out" procedures. We learn that Vera has been performing illegal abortions for desperate women, believing she is helping them. The event sets consequences in motion.. 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 31 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to The police arrive at Vera's home to question her. Though not yet arrested, Vera crosses into a new world where her secret life will be exposed. She can no longer maintain her innocent facade—the investigation has begun., moving from reaction to action.
At 63 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat Vera is formally charged. Her family learns the full truth of what she's been doing. The false victory of her righteous self-perception collapses into the reality that she will face trial. Stakes are raised—this is no longer about hiding, but about consequence., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 94 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Vera is convicted and sentenced to prison. Her old life dies completely. Her family is shattered, her reputation destroyed, her freedom taken. The "whiff of death" is the death of her identity as a good woman who helps people., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 103 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 83% of the runtime. Vera and Stan share a devastating goodbye visit before she is transferred to serve her sentence. The synthesis of their love and the reality of her punishment creates acceptance. Vera understands she must face what comes with the same quiet dignity she lived with., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Vera Drake's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping Vera Drake against these established plot points, we can identify how Mike Leigh utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Vera Drake within the crime genre.
Mike Leigh's Structural Approach
Among the 5 Mike Leigh films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.9, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. Vera Drake represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Mike Leigh filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional crime films include The Bad Guys, Batman Forever and 12 Rounds. For more Mike Leigh analyses, see Another Year, Mr. Turner and Topsy-Turvy.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Vera Drake cheerfully prepares tea in her modest London home, humming as she works. She visits elderly neighbors to help them with cleaning and care, embodying selfless kindness and contentment in her working-class life in 1950s England.
Theme
During a family meal, Vera's husband Stan mentions "helping people out" and the importance of looking after one another. This casual dialogue establishes the film's central question: when does helping people cross moral and legal boundaries?
Worldbuilding
Establishment of Vera's world: her devoted marriage to Stan, her adult children Sid and Ethel living at home, her cleaning work for wealthy families, and her network of working-class neighbors. The film carefully builds the warmth and routine of her ordinary life.
Disruption
A young woman collapses and is rushed to hospital after one of Vera's "helped out" procedures. We learn that Vera has been performing illegal abortions for desperate women, believing she is helping them. The event sets consequences in motion.
Resistance
Vera continues her dual life, unaware that authorities are investigating the hospitalized woman. The film contrasts Vera's genuine compassion and naivety with the privileged world (seen through wealthy clients) where women can afford safe, sanctioned procedures. Building tension through dramatic irony.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
The police arrive at Vera's home to question her. Though not yet arrested, Vera crosses into a new world where her secret life will be exposed. She can no longer maintain her innocent facade—the investigation has begun.
Mirror World
The parallel story of Susan, a wealthy young woman who obtains a legal abortion through expensive private psychiatrists, serves as thematic counterpoint. The class disparity in women's reproductive choices mirrors Vera's motivation for her illegal work.
Premise
Vera is arrested and detained. The film explores the moral complexity: detectives questioning her, her family's shock and confusion, the legal system grinding forward. We see Vera's absolute belief in the righteousness of her actions clash with society's judgment.
Midpoint
Vera is formally charged. Her family learns the full truth of what she's been doing. The false victory of her righteous self-perception collapses into the reality that she will face trial. Stakes are raised—this is no longer about hiding, but about consequence.
Opposition
Pressure mounts from all sides: Stan and the children struggle with betrayal and shame, Vera's intermediary Lily tries to distance herself, legal proceedings advance, and Vera faces the moral condemnation of society while maintaining her conviction that she helped desperate women.
Collapse
Vera is convicted and sentenced to prison. Her old life dies completely. Her family is shattered, her reputation destroyed, her freedom taken. The "whiff of death" is the death of her identity as a good woman who helps people.
Crisis
In her cell, Vera processes the devastation. Her family visits, struggling with grief, anger, and confusion. The emotional darkness of lost innocence pervades these scenes. Vera maintains dignity but is broken by the separation from her family.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Vera and Stan share a devastating goodbye visit before she is transferred to serve her sentence. The synthesis of their love and the reality of her punishment creates acceptance. Vera understands she must face what comes with the same quiet dignity she lived with.
Synthesis
Vera is transported to prison. The family returns to their empty home without her. The film resolves by showing the permanent rupture in their lives—no dramatic confrontation or redemption, just the quiet aftermath of moral complexity meeting legal reality.
Transformation
The family sits in their home, Vera's chair empty. The cheerful domestic scene from the opening is mirrored but transformed by absence and grief. The film ends without resolution—only the quiet devastation of a good woman destroyed by impossible choices.