This is taught everywhere. It's insane. Literary agents won't even look at something if it isn't a clear, standard narrative arc with a hero's journey attached. Thank God Gabriel García Márquez and other great writers didn't have to try to get through that gauntlet.

From a movie perspective, I'm seeing some pushback. This movie, for one, Zone of Interest, for another. Even Netflix's Ripley has shied away from the standard template. It's a "series," but it's it's really a very, very long movie. With maybe the best soundscape I've ever heard (everyone talks about the cinematography, which is also great, but the sound...!!). So I'm seeing some encouraging signs coming out of Hollywood.

I think as far as Civil War was concerned, I was lucky in that the first review I read was from someone who seemed to be breathing a sigh of relief that it took the approach it did. I wish I could remember who that reviewer was, but I just don't.