Hero's Journey Deconstructed and Explained

 

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Chicago (Academy Award Winner Best Film, 2002) [Hero's Journey, basic]

FADE IN: Context: Jazz era.

Foreshadow of the Shape Shifter: Velma arrives.

Shape Shifter 's Capabilities: don't worry, I can do it alone.

Meeting the Shape Shifter: Velma sings "..al that Jazz" on her own.

Meeting the Hero: Roxie watches Velma.

Foreshadow of the Journey: Cops waiting for Velma.

Dissuaded from the Journey: lets go babe.

Developing the Hero: Roxie takes her 'brother' home.

Pushing toward the Journey: don't you think it's time I met your friend?

Warning: wake up, you're never gonna have a show and I'm just a furniture salesman.

Call to Adventure: Roxie shoots Fred.

Foreshadow of the Transformation: Roxie sees herself as a dancer in the mirror.

Meeting the Fool: Amos takes the blame for the murder.

Foreshadow of the Transformation: Roxie dancing.

Developing the Fool [lyrics]: Amos.

Developing the Hero [lyrics]: Roxie's character.

Refusal: the cops don't believe Amos did it.

Pushed to the First Threshold: Roxie arrested; taken to jail.

Meeting and developing the Mentor: Matron Morton.

Resisting the Outer Cave: I don't think I belong here.

Foreshadow of the Journey: Velma gives Morton some money for the publicity.

Rules of the Cave: when you're good to mama, mama's good to you.

Middle Cave / Meeting Allies: the other inmates and their crimes; "…you would have done the same…"; Cicero.

Inner Cave: Roxie sees Velma and Morton dealing.

Resistance to the Physical Separation: keep your paws off my underwear.

Pushed to the Physical Separation: in Morton's office; if you tell them the truth they'll hang you; you need [Mentor] Billy Flynn.

Developing the Mentor: Billy Flynn.

Resisting the Physical Separation: do you have $5k?

Physical Separation: Amos brings Billy $2k; he takes the case.

New Self: Billy manipulates Roxie's background; the new clothes and dress.

Developing the Shape Shifter: Velma notices that Billy notices Roxie above herself.

Developing Characters and Relationships: Velma advises Roxie not to let Billy hog the limelight.

Trial 1: the press conference.

Success of Trial 1: everybody wants to be Roxie.

Transformed: Morton visits Roxie in her cell; paying the other girl to do her laundry.

Hero and Fool Backstory: Roxie sings about her and Amos.

Foreshadow of the Resolution: I'm gonna be Roxie.

Trial 2: Velma proposes a double act.

Trial 3: Billy takes on a new client; Kitty Baxter...until Roxie's having a baby.

Meeting the Oracle: who's the father? Amos appears as soon as he hears about the baby.

Developing the Fool: Mr Cellophane.

Seizing the Sword: Amos visits Billy; he's not the father.

Resisting the Near Death Experience: Roxie doesn't want to wear the dress; Billy quits.

Near Death Experience: The first female execution.

Reward: Roxie agrees; Give 'em the Ol' Razzle Dazzle.

Atonement with the Father: Velma on the stand.

Ultimate Boon: Roxie is innocent.

Apotheosis: Billy tampered with the diary.

Magic Flight: Billy moves onto the next case.

Refusal: no one wants to take Roxie's picture anymore; there ain't no baby; we'll be in touch.

Rescue from Without: Velma appears.

Crossing the Return Threshold: there's only one business where that's no problem.

Master of Two Worlds: the double act.

Freedom to Live: rapturous applause, thank you.

FADE OUT:

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