Monday, February 15, 2016

2016 OSCARS: Straight Outta Compton (2015) - A Romantic Scene? Turning Point? Both?

[Quick Summary: The formation, demise, and aftermath of the 1980s rap group N.W.A. through the eyes of three members, Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, and Eazy-E.]

I liked, but did not love, this script.

However, I did like how three intertwining journeys were melded into one story.

And I did like this touching scene below.

Don't be fooled by its simplicity. 

It may only look like the moment Cube falls in love (personal), but it represents a bigger turning point in the overall story.

It's the moment that:
- Cube has just left N.W.A. (professional) and lost his friends (personal).
- He is at his lowest point (personal and professional).
- He meets his wife for the first time (personal).
- He begins a new phase of his career as a solo artist and as a writer (professional).

ex. "INT./EXT. T-BONES CAR - MOMENTS LATER

Cube rides in the passenger seat, pretty low at this point.  No money, no group. JINX MOUTH IS RUNNING, but Cube's in a daze --doesn't hear a word he's saying.

JINX: Can't believer you left the group, man. What you gonna do now? Guess we gotta start working on some solo stuff, huh? Cube? Cube?!

As the car pulls up to a stop light, Cube looks over, spots a beautiful YOUNG LADY in a nice jeep on rims. She's [sic] looks back over at him, their eyes locked. Is this love at first sight? After a few magical moments. Cube finally speaks.

CUBE: How you doing? My name O'Shea. What's yours?

KIM: Kim.

CUBE: Hey Kim -- You the best thing I've seen all day.

She smiles.

CUBE (cont'd): You believe in love at first sight?

KIM: What you think?

She is the only one that can get Cube to smile at this point."

WHAT I'VE LEARNED: Once in awhile, a romantic scene can represent more than just a romance, i.e., a significant personal and professional change/turning point.

Straight Outta Compton (2015)
by Jonathan Herman and Andrea Berloff
Story by S. Leigh Savidge & Alan Wenkus and Andrea Berloff

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