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In [this answer](https://writing.codidact.com/questions/24945#answer-275824), Mark Baker makes a statement about story:

>All story ideas are basically a variation on one thing. A man (or woman, or child, or small furry animal) has two desires, both of which he (she, it) believes they can achieve, but between which he will eventually be forced to choose... The plot is a device for forcing him into a position in which he must choose between those two desires, for good or ill.

I can immediately think of many cases where this is true:

 * _Lord of the Rings:_ Frodo can keep the ring OR save the world
 * _Star Wars: The Last Jedi:_ Luke can renounce the ways of the Jedi OR use his power to help the resistance
 * _The Book of Strange New Things:_ Peter can fulfill his missionary calling OR save his marriage

But what about stories where this is less obvious? What about ensemble stories where there isn't a main character? What about stories without a climactic moment of choice? What about heist movies?

I'm looking for ways to locate this thread in all of those, so as to better analyze them and understand the thematic undercurrent. Examples would be helpful!