Three Act Structure ; Mean Girls

In every movie, it is essential for a form of organization to exist in order to add a structure for the movie to make sense. There are three different types of movie narratives, including Classical Tragedy, 3 Act Structure, and Alternative. The three act structure type is the most common one. The movie Mean Girls is organized in the Three Act Structure narrative. The film is narrated by the protagonist, Cady Heron, a teenage girl whose life is turned upside down after her family relocates from the wilderness of Africa to the suburbs of America, and she is forced to attend public high school for the first time ever.

The movie sports a unique syuzhet, and the first act, the set up which lasts for approximately 30 minutes, starts with an introduction shot of Cady's new high school, which seems to be teeming with several different cliques. She is quick to befriend Janis and Damien, two outcasts, and the infamous Plastics clique who rule the school also begin to take an interest in her. When Cady begins to hang out more with the Plastics, and their head, Regina George, that is when the fabula begins to change. About 15 minutes into the movie is when the rising action begins; Cady informs Regina that she is interested in her ex-boyfriend, Aaron. Regina agrees to help Cady with getting Aaron. However, the inciting incident occurs when Cady and the Plastics attend a Halloween party, and Regina kisses Aaron in order to backstab Cady. This is what sets the plot into motion.

In the second act of the film, which begins approximately 29 minutes into the movie, stakes escalate and the climax approaches. This complication act lasts for approximately 60 minutes. Cady decides that she wants to get revenge on Regina for betraying her. With the help of Janis and Damien, several acts of revenge occur, which are the several dramatic plot points of the film, such as Cady trying to make Regina gain weight and making her face smell like feet.

The end act is introduced by the third act of the film, when the climax occurs at approximately 77 minutes. Regina George is hit by a school bus, and this tragic event is what causes the eyes of all the characters to open up. This is when the falling action of the movie begins. All of the tension and conflicts between the girls stop and they throw in the towel, and a resolution is reached. The ending is the typical happy ending of a modern film due to the use of a modern cinematic style.

The movie Mean Girls contains several elements, such as conflict, rising action, plot points, climax, falling action, resolution, and a second act which is the longest of all three acts. These elements makes the film a perfect example of a Three Act Structure.