[Quick Summary: After two Supreme Court justices are murdered, a Tulane Law School student proposes a possible conspiracy, and ends up running for her life.]
I'm not sure that I liked this script (or maybe it was the story?)
However, I did like the following suspense scene where Darby is on the run.
She has arranged to meet with Verheek, someone she has never met before.
She has no idea, but we know that this guy is an imposter.
ex. "EXT. BOARDWALK - DAY
The boardwalk is crowded; a line has formed beside the Bayou Queen, a paddle wheeler. They stop at the end of the line.
HE: Are we getting on this boat?
DARBY: Yes. I've got a car a mile upriver at a park where we'll stop in thirty minutes.
The line is moving now.
CLOSE SHOT - HIM
CAMERA follows his hand as he touches the trouse pocket that contains the gun. He reaches into the pocket and pulls out a handkerchief.
CAMERA pans up with him as he brings it to his nose. There is a tiny flash of metal against the base of his skull just below the red baseball cap.
CLOSE SHOT DARBY'S HAND HOLDING HIS AS HIS HAND FALLS AWAY FROM HERS.
CLOSE SHOT DARBY as she whirls around.
DARBY'S P.O.V. of HIM falling to the ground.
CLOSE SHOT OF WHITE HANDKERCHIEF still clutched in his hand as it hits the ground. It turns bloos red.
VERY CLOSE SHOT - DARBY'S EYES AND MOUTH FILLING THE SCREEN WITH HER SCREAM...She whirls around in horror.
CAMERA whirls around to her P.O.V.
A man is running away. He disappears in a crowd.
WOMAN (V.O.): He's got a gun.
CAMERA whirls back again, following the sound of the woman's voice. SHe is standing next to Darby.
CAMERA slams down to her P.O.V.
The man she thinks is Verheek is on all fours with a small pistol in his right hand. Blood streams from his chin and puddles under his face. He lunges to the edge of the boardwalk. The gun drops into the water. He collapses on his stomach with his head hanging over and dripping into the river."
WHAT I'VE LEARNED: I think it's her reaction shots that makes the shock resonate so strongly with us.
Pelican Brief (1993)(1st draft, 2/10/93)
by Alan J. Pakula
Adapted from the novel by John Grisham
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