For a three-act plot analysis, put on your screenwriter’s hat. Moviemakers know the formula well: at the end of Act One, the main character is drawn in completely to a conflict. During Act Two, she is farthest away from her goals. At the end of Act Three, the story is resolved.
Act I
This Provincial Life
We enter Slocum's personal and professional worlds and learn about his past, his present, and his hopes for the future. A long, long time ago, he worked for an auto insurance claims company and had a big fat crush on the voluptuous Virginia. He now has a steady job at a big company downtown and is kind of complacent in his home life with his wife and three kids. He's afraid of most people and things, and he hopes that nothing happens to either himself or his children. Act I concludes with Slocum being offered Andy Kagle's job, and Slocum finds that he really, really wants it.
Act II
Back in Time
Slocum returns home that same evening and announces the news of his potential promotion to his family. Much to his surprise, they react with censure. However, the promotion takes a backseat when Slocum describes more events from the past that have both shaped him, his children, and his wife into the people they are today. Back to the present, we leave off with Slocum being formally offered Kagle's job, and he accepts.
Act III
It Happened
We witness the repercussions of Slocum's decision to accept the position, from the firing of Kagle to his graceful ascension into his new role. However, just as things seem to be going well, the something we've been waiting for to happen, well, finally happens. And it's totally unexpected: it's the death of his son by Slocum's own hands. But rather than shatter the clock and freeze time, life returns to normal again for the Slocums, and ironically, it's a bit better than it was before the tragic accident.