Blog Post: Three Act Structure

The Three-Act-Structure is used for many conventional films that make the most out of it's protagonist's triumphs after his adversities.  Here in the comedy cult classic, "The 'Burbs", I will examine how screenwriter Dana Olsen and director Joe Dante used this to perfection.

In Act I, it is established that season suburbanite Ray Peterson (Tom Hanks) has quite unusual neighbors, the Klopeks.. They never go outside, mow their lawn or take care of their house. Rumors circulate as to what they eat and what happened to the previous owners, the Knapps. The plot point or "mini-clmax/peak" of the first act is when Ray, along with a portly and highly imaginative neighbor, Art, and a disgruntled Vietnam vet, Rumsfield, see one of the "huns from the cave" viciously slam their garbage into their garbage can after driving it down from their house in a thunderstorm.  Soon they all realize, their neighbors are more than meets the eye...

In Act II, it is established that an old retired ma down the street, Walter, has gone without a trace.  Since the three neighbors are worried for his safety from the Klopeks, they actually break into his house and see "signs of a struggle" including Walter's toupee.  Now surely the neighbors have kidnapped him and are eating him right now! So in effect the wives of the three men set up dinner with the Klopeks and what ensues is a hilariously awkward affair, until Rumsfeld finally brings up the missing Walter and Ray panics (the second plot point/peak), runs away and opens the door for the Klopeks dog which causes mayhem through the house.  The neighbors regroup and Ray agrees with the wives that the Klopeks are really just eccentric people. But secretly Ray brings Art and Rumsfield together and show him Walter's toupee which he found in the Klopek's house! So the next day they prepare an assault on the premises...

Act III consists of the three neighbors breaking into the Klopeks house while the Klopeks are out of town.  They look everywhere from the backyard until they reach the basement.  But at night the Klopeks (and more importantly, their wives) return and see what they have done: they accidently hit a gas line and blew up their house! Then the police come and give logical explanations to who the Klopeks are (respected doctor) and what happened to Walter (a heart attack but now recovered). So all is over for our "heroes" until, while Ray is in an ambulance to the hospital, Mr. Klopek tries to kill him (third plot point/peak)! Then Ray fights and is able to prove that they had intended to take Walter (the wig) and killed the Knapps (a trunkful of skeletons are in the back of their car).  So they were right and Ray returns home with his wife and kid in tow...

This is one of my favorite movies and everyone should see it.