[Quick Summary: Suzanne Stone will do anything to be on tv, including killing her husband.]
HOLY COW, this was a good read.
First, there is no doubt what Suzanne is all about - Suzanne on tv.
Second, she is a strong character: cold, a good manipulator, but not particularly smart. That's a dangerous combination.
Third, Buck Henry is an amazingly assured writer who knows how to wield words for the most impact.
Example #1: Here, he moves the reader quickly through a house, as the intruder did:
EXT. SUZANNE AND LARRY MARETTO'S CONDO
MOVE across the yard, up through a second floor window into the bedroom, out onto the landing and down the stairs to the front hallway, slowing to SEE a section of carpet near the front door that is a different color from the rest of the carpet, lighter, as though that section has been scrubbed clean. LOOK AT IT and BACK AWAY out the front door and TILT up at the blue sky and:
DISSOLVE THROUGH TO:
Example #2: Here, he garners some sympathy for Suzanne. Despite her odd, cold behavior, and husband Larry who enables it, no one seems to appreciate her dream.
INT. SUZANNE AND LARRY'S CONDO - LIVING ROOM
...Angela Maretto lets out a shriek and her hand goes to her mouth.
ANGELA MARETTO: Joe -- Joe --
JOE MARETTO: Are we talking about - ?
CAROL STONE: Oh honey, when did you - ?
SUZANNE: Wait wait WAIT -- CUT. CUT! It's not that!
ANGELA MARETTO: You're not --?
SUZANNE: I'm not pregnant, for god's sake.
She laughs. They all look at her. Larry puts his arm around her.
LARRY: Suzie's got a job.
EARL STONE: What?
LARRY: Over at WWEN. First woman they've ever hired. Is that right?
SUZANNE: That's right.
LARRY: Our Suzie's on her way and nothing can stop her now.
WHAT I'VE LEARNED: When words are this sharp and this well-honed, it is not just skill but countless hours of bloody work. Also, it is a 4th (not 1st) draft.
To Die For (1995)(4th draft, 10/25/93)
by Buck Henry
Adapted from the book by Joyce Maynard
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