I always start my analysis of a script's major plot points by focusing on four: Opening, Act One end, Act Two end, Ending. So here goes for Nebraska: Opening: PP.1-4 in which we meet Woody and David, introducing the idea that Woody believes he's won $1M. Act One end: PP. 21-23 in which Woody and David arrive in Hawthorne, Woody's old home town. Act Two end: PP. 81-84 in which Woody collapses, insisting he needs to get to Lincoln to claim his [bogus] $1M prize. Ending: PP. 85-89 in which they make it to Lincoln, David discovers that, of course, Woody did NOT win $1M, but David sells his car to buy a truck and air compressor for Woody. Denouement: PP. 89-91 in which Woody drives through Hawthorne in his new truck, then slides over so David can drive them home. IMHO that is the foundation of the story structure, these four major plot points.

Hi Scott, I had the same analysis. But I feel that the break into Act 3 that is the Major plot point 2 should be when Woody loses the letter and Ed Pegram finds it. Can you tell me your thoughts on using the collapse of Woody as the break into Act 3?

I basically had the same end of act 1, but I had it when David says they are going there, not after they arrive. Is there a difference? For act 2, I also have the end a bit earlier, when David punches Ed out in the bar (after Woody left and is about to collapse outside). Again, is there a difference?

I have another question: who is the protagonist? I would say Woody is the (comic non-)hero of the story but David is the protagonist. The reason why is because of this quote "...the Protagonist is generally the character who goes through the most significant metamorphosis" from this GITS post. The way I interpret the film, David changes but Woody doesn't. If you view David, not Woody, as the protag, could that affect the act break structure?