When I got into screenwriting decades ago, things like the three act plot, with a first act that has to end by this page number, specific structure, and a clear goal for the protagonist were all things that were merely recommended to aspiring writers to follow if they were writing a specific type of movie, particularly the formulaic kind. Some sports movies were cited as examples. That's not to say that movies absolutely had to follow those guidelines, they were just recommendations.
Back then, when interviewed, established writers used to specifically point out that the guidelines don't apply at all if you're writing a psychological drama or some other genres. I think they'd use some of Paul Shrader's scripts and maybe James Toback's as examples.
Over the years I've seen that advice for aspiring writers slowly turn into rules, one-size-fits-all genres and all scripts. That's what most new writers are writing and, in turn, that's what most readers are expecting from them, no matter what. Rule-bending screenplays are still made and produced all the time, but only when they come from established writers because of the usual yadda-yadda-yadda.
Personally, I don't think we are better off. Maybe it would be a good idea for aspiring writers to have a screenplay or two in their arsenal for those rare/impossible occasions in which they can target people with clout, maybe they’d find it refreshing.
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