Are there any exceptions from the 3 act structure in film?

Question

I know the 3 act structure is the basic recipe of any play/movie. But I was wondering, are there any atypical but succesful movies that follow a different structure? Like exceptions from the rule?

By the way, not documentaries or the such. :)

Answer 1

There are all kinds of exceptions both on the stage and in movies. In fact, it is really pushing it to say 3 act structure dominates - TV fiction is more structured than plays or movies. There are a number of plays with 1 and 2 act structure - the musical 1776 was written to be done without intermission. Shakespeare is traditionally broken into 5 acts although performed in 2 or 3. Original Greek theater was to be done in real time, usually with one intermission.