Story strategy of IN THE BEDROOM
(MOVIE)
Here are the basic steps in the story strategy of IN THE BEDROOM:
- Lovers in a
field, Frank and Natalie.
- Frank and
Matt take Jason lobstering.
- BBQ.
Natalie’s husband shows up.Ruth: shall we do something? (hook)
- Matt catches
them after sex.
- Richard wants
a reconciliation. He’s belligerent. (complication)
- Frank
thinking of delaying school.
- Frank gets
beat up.
- Parents try
to talk him out of seeing Natalie. (call to action)
- Richard goes
bananas, Frank arrives, Richard shoots Frank. (act one plot point)
- The parents
grief. Ruth is more visible in her grief.
- Richard gets
bail.
- Parents feel
like victims of justice system. (midpoint)
- At cabin:
Ruth wanted more kids.
- Matt: how can
we keep him in jail longer? What else can we pin on him (to lawyer)? Seems
hopeless.
- Ruth sees
Richard in store, loses it.
- The bitter
marital fight. Lots of low blows. (act two plot point)
- Matt takes
Richard “hostage” after he closes up. The Plan. He is alone.
- Matt shoots
him coldly. Willis is upset. “I couldn’t wait.” (resolution)
- Home. Did you
do it? Later, do you want coffee.
21. Scenes of town. “Normal.”