[Quick Summary: Lady Sarah Marlborough, the Queen's trusted confidante, and Abigail, a new social climber, make pawns of Queen Anne and England.]
For this year's 10 Oscars scripts, I've decided to pick out two things that I think that each script does well.
WHAT THIS SCRIPT DOES WELL:
1) The ending left me thinking. I do not think every ending has to be happy.
However, they should be satisfying and predictable.*
This script adds the extra layer of "thought provoking," which is a special bonus.
After a full script of manipulating and being manipulated, a major character gets a well timed "aha!" moment that comes too late.
"Is that all manipulation brings?!" I wondered. Great food for thought.
2) The subtext of manipulation.
Every character in this script is a manipulator.
The best ones make their point without saying so (subtext). This allows the audience the pleasure of putting 2 + 2 together.
For example, in the scene below, note:
- Harley's words do not match his actions.
- The symbolism of the wren = Abigail
ex. "EXT PALACE LAWNS/ EG NIGHT
HARLEY: ....I need a friend Abigail, one with cute ears and wide eyes. I am often blind-sided by the distorted situation at court. As Leader of the Opposition I should not be. I would merely like to know of any plans her Ladyship, Godolphin or the Queen may have.
ABIGAIL: I will not betray my mistress's trust.
HARLEY: Oh look a wren. How cute.
She looks to the trees. Harley trips her and she goes face first into the stony path.
HARLEY (CONT'D): Are you alright? Let me help you up.
He reaches down. She warily reaches out a hand and he pulls her up a little.
HARLEY (CONT'D): Thing is if you're not my friend. You are..
Then suddenly lets her go, she falls back down.
HARLEY (CONT'D): ...by definition my enemy. Anyway, think on it. No pressure.
Harley stalks off. Abigail sees the little wren, lying dead on the ground beside the path."
WHAT I'VE LEARNED: I liked that the writers had something to say and they delivered it cleanly.
The Favourite (2019)(final draft, 3/23/17)
by Deborah Davis and Tony McNamara
* By "predictable," I do not mean dull or trite. I do mean "logical, foreseeable, and/or the payoff to a previous setup."
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