[Quick Summary: When his wife, famed "Amazing Amy," goes missing, Nick is hounded by press, public, and police as a suspect in her disappearance.]
I was really impressed how this script was able to show the character's motive, conflict, and also keep the tension on a razor's edge (could go either way).
I've divided the scene below to demonstrate different elements:
SECTION 1: At the "Find Amy HQ" in a hotel, Nick ducks out for some privacy. Notice this is a setup for conflict and doubt in our minds.
INT. HALLWAY - DAY
The hallway is VACANT. Nick's DISPOSABLE begins buzzing. He ducks father down the hall. NICK is picking up just as: SHAWNA peers around the corner. Nick abruptly ends the call.
SHAWNA: Nick? I just wanted to introduce myself. My name's Shawna Kelly.
Nick nods: thanks. He's seething at the interruption. [He wants to answer this call but interrupted by a nosy stranger.]
SHAWNA (CONT'D): I'm so sorry for your...troubles.
NICK: That's very kind.
He gives her an after-you gesture but she doesn't budge. [Is he trying to be polite? Or something else?]
SHAWNA: Are you remembering to eat?
NICK: Lotta cold cuts.
Again: After you. [Nick tries again, fails. This increases the conflict.]
SHAWNA: I'm going to fix you up my world-famous Chicken Frito Pie.
NICK: That's very sweet of you and very unnecessary.
He tries again to get past her. He pats her on the arm as a goodbye, she puts her hand on top of his.
--------------------
SECTION 2: When this stranger isn't getting the response she wants, she ups the stakes.
SHAWNA: You have to keep up your strength.
She digs through her handbag, grabs a cell. Jams her face against his. [She's pushing into his comfort zone physically, like the world's attention is on him metaphorically.]
SHAWNA (CONT'D): Say: Chicken frito pie!
NICK - just wanting to leave - reflexively grins. CLICK. She shows him the photo: The two of them, cheek to cheek, Shawna's glossed lips pouty. Without context (and even with), the photo is wildly inappropriate, a little sleazy. [His immediate regret: Is it real? Fake?]
NICK: Oh. You know what? That's-please delete that would you?
SHAWNA: It's a nice photo. [She stonewalls him.]
NICK: It's just not appropriate. Do me the favor, would you? SHAWNA debates.
NICK (CONT'D): I'm asking you nicely: Please delete the photo. [His politeness is pushed to the limits. His motive to self-protect has layers to it.]
NICK tries to lean past her and hit delete. She holds the cell away from him-hey!-he tries to grab it.
SHAWNA: What is wrong with you?
NICK grabs her arm. It's the first time he seems dangerous. [This is the climax of the scene. What will he do?]
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SECTION 3: Now that he's lost the battle, what will he do?
NICK: You can't share that with anyone. [We understand his position.]
SHAWNA: I'll share it with anyone I like. [We understand her position.]
SHAWNA scrambles past him, shoots down the hall to the elevator.
SHAWNA (CONT'D): Asshole.
NICK rests his head against the wall. Breathes.
NICK: Pull it together, Dunne. [Interestingly, I empathized with his plight...and was still suspicious.]
WHAT I'VE LEARNED: Because I BELIEVED it could go either way, the tension worked. The key was that both characters' motives and conflicts were clear.
Gone Girl (2014)(shooting script, 8/29/13)
by Gillian Flynn
Adapted from her novel.
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