A single-father, who is also a functioning alcoholic, jeopardizes his health and relationships before finally confronting the person he has become in an effort not to lose his daughter.

I like the functioning aspect. Although it may be harder to generate obstacles because he's already proven he can overcome them, it will lead to deeper characterization.

The previous comments give you plenty to work with regarding the plot structure.

The stakes are clear, and good, but what does your protagonist actually have to do in order to save his daughter? What is the character's goal?

Leif919,

My mind circles around this logline because I have had a front row seat to the destruction and sorrow alcoholism can wreak in the people's lives. And I'm guessing so have you.

A primary structural problem with this logline is that it describes a situation more than a plot. The main character is a functioning alcoholic. His character flaw is that he is in denial. Until... the inciting incident forces him to realize that he's no longer a functioning alcoholic -- he's a fucked up one.

But the logline doesn't describe an inciting incident. What specifically happens that spins the character's life -- and drinking -- out of control? That reveals to the audience, other characters, and finally to the main character that his drinking, his whole life has become unmanageable.

Richiev has suggested one credible inciting incident although I don't see why it wouldn't work as a father whose drinking puts his daughter's life in a similar scenario of jeopardy.

And then what? As a result of the inciting incident, the logline needs to tell us what objective goal the character MUST. Sobriety? Well, that's an imperative subjective need. But isn't he also in danger of not only losing the affection of his daughter -- but also custody? And wouldn't his whole professional life fall apart -- he loses his job, his business goes under, he's facing financial ruin -- all because of his drinking?

The logline needs to tell us that us that sobriety is a necessary means to an urgent end. That he must sober up in order to achieve... what (objective goal)? Before (ticking clock)? Or else (stakes)?

fwiw.