Narrative technique · used in 3 films
Building the whole third act around one game, so the score, the fouls and the crowd carry the suspense. Every play counts for something beyond the sport.
Examples
Robert Altman · 1970
The last act is a football game against another hospital, with a lot of money on the line. The surgeons bring in a ringer, a neurosurgeon who used to play pro football. The game turns into a free-for-all, and a war film ends with a sports comedy.
Where to see it: The football game: the 4077th plays the 325th Evac Hospital. Spearchucker Jones enters in the second half, and the 4077th wins with a final trick play.
John Huston · 1981
The final match is played in full, with a biased referee, rough fouls and a disallowed Allied goal. A game is easy to follow, so you always know what is at stake. The 4-4 score and the last-second penalty save turn the match into the plot.
Where to see it: The second half at Colombes Stadium: the referee lets German fouls slide, the Allies are denied a fair goal, and the match ends 4-4 with a penalty save at the final whistle.
John G. Avildsen · 1984
The whole third act is the All-Valley tournament. Each round raises the stakes, and the illegal knee attack in the semifinal leaves Daniel limping into the final. The score is tied before the last move.
Where to see it: The semifinal. Bobby hurts Daniel's knee on Kreese's orders and is disqualified, and Daniel gets up to fight again.
Questions