[Quick Summary: When a Mexican woman becomes a maid for a L.A. chef's family, her inability to communicate brings surfaces the problems in both families.]
One of the things that Brooks' writing does well is stick the emotional landing.
I think the key is his story structure. First we see the characters' wounds. Then when they make bad decisions, we understand, even if we don't agree with them.
For example, the scene below has a lot of setup:
-We have seen Flor (protagonist) connecting with her employers John and Deborah, who love each other by each have issues.
-Deborah-Flor share being supportive mothers. John-Flor share being aware of other people's needs.
-The night Deborah drops a bomb, John flees and runs into Flor.
- He is in a crisis, wounded, and does not want to be alone. He needs a friend and cooks her a meal.
- Emotions that have been rising finally break through in this moment of closeness.
INT. RESTAURANT KITCHEN - NIGHT
John and Flor sit at a small table int he kitchen...finishing the greatest late-night meal in the history of Western man. Flor motions that she is finished.
JOHN: That's it...That's it for you. (a shadow passes) I keep thinking I should tell you what happened to me tonight. But, I don't want to spoil this. I don't want to spoil this.
FLOR: I will remember every taste...forever.
JOHN (shy/his heart): I'm very glad you liked it.
FLOR: It's something watching you.
He looks up at her...she has not been seen like this for a very long time, if ever.. lit up by a man.
WHAT I'VE LEARNED: That final line really stuck the landing for me.
Everything has been building to this moment when she's finally being seen, but a cloud hangs over them.
Spanglish (2004)(undated)
by James L. Brooks
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