I think that this midpoint divides the first and second act because of the relationship between Juno and Bleeker. As mentioned, at this point, their relationship seems to no longer have any potential future, while the first act has always left this possibility in the open, as we could still see them interacting in the same manner and getting along.
5. The break-up in the adoptive couple is also essential and we can probably identify this as a second plot point, despite the fact that the previously presented midpoint is also important as a plot point (I have selected this, however, as the plot point because it seems to have more influence on the third act and the eventual finalization of the plot).
The break-up leaves Juno with a serious dilemma, because, as she herself had grown up in a split family (her father had remarried), she wanted to see her child grow up in the perfect, loving family. If the two break up, this seems no longer likely. Again we see the potential perspective that Juno will keep her baby, especially given the support she receives from her father and her stepmother.
We have shown previously that the first plot point was the one that actually triggered the whole development of the plot, because Juno decides not to have an abortion, which leads to her keeping the baby, trying to find an adoptive family and introducing the adoptive couple into the movie. The second plot point leaves serious questions about what will happen with the two adoptive parents who have decided to divorce. The viewer will wonder whether, as they move their separate ways, they will still be able to get the baby, what will be their own trajectories, what will be the influence on Juno and her own linear evolution, etc. Both their storylines are likely to affect act three.
6. The third act results from the second turning point because, despite the couple's divorce, Juno still decides to give the baby up to the adoptive mother, recognizing in her all the necessary qualities for her to make a good mother. The way this develops the act leaves every story...
In an incipient gesture, she fills his mailbox with orange Tic-Tacs, his favourite, and they sort everything out at the track. Similarly, the adoptive mother is shown before at the hospital receiving Juno's baby, along with the message from Juno that she will make a great mother.
On this note, it is interesting to see that the only character who is somehow left out without a certain resolution referring to his person is the former adoptive father. He simply leaves to start a new life as a
musician, which has always been his dream, but we do not know and are not sure how this is likely to turn out. In a certain way, it does seem that he is left out of the happy ending to try and sort out all his dilemmas.
7. I think that the
movie "Juno" does represent a good and workable example of Field's 3-act
paradigm in practice and that they do follow on Field's symmetrical proportions as well. As we have previously shown, the elements that Field introduces in his paradigm, including the turning points or the inciting incident, which are important elements in generating the other acts of the movie.
As we have seen, these elements also help determine the
evolution and characteristics of the main characters. Without the second turning point, for example, we would not have been able to see that Juno's decision will actually be based on the fact that the adoptive mother is so suited for the job and that the adoptive father is not really part of the decision.
