In fact, ALL of the Hollywood movies we have deconstructed are based on this template.
Understanding this template is a priority for story or screenwriters.
The Hero’s Journey:
a) Attempts to tap into unconscious expectations the audience has regarding what a story is and how it should be told.
b) Gives the writer more structural elements than simply three or four acts, plot points, mid point and so on.
c) Interpreted metaphorically, laterally and symbolically, allows an infinite number of varied stories to be created.
and more…
Sample Movie Deconstructed: Elizabethtown (2005)
Fade In: starts strong (communicates salient information immediately): shoes recalled.
Introduce Hero (Drew Baylor) in his Ordinary World, which he is unwelcome in. Tangible representation of the Ordinary World (Ellen).
Foreshadow of the Journey: we meet Drew’s family around the table.
Back-story of Hero: Drew in the World of the Shoe.
Supernatural Aid pushes hero out of his Ordinary World (meeting with Phil).
Development of Inner Challenge: Drew’s suicide attempt in his apartment; what to do now that he is a failure.
Call to Adventure by the Herald (his sister): Drew’s Dad is dead.
Preparing to cross into the First Threshold with allies (sister and mother): in the airport.
First Threshold and meeting the Romantic Challenge: Drew meets Claire in the aircraft.
Allies encourage the journey: Claire draws a map.
References to the inner and outer challenge: Drew references that he was fired; Claire realises Drew’s father is dead.
Back-story of the Outer Challenge: Drew when he was young and with his father.
heat reflective paint