1979
In 1979 Santa Barbara, single mother Dorothea Fields raises her teenage son, Jamie, with the help of two boarders, Abbie and William, while enlisting Abbie and Jamie's friend Julie to help guide him through adolescence. Jamie navigates his identity and burgeoning sexuality amidst a complex web of relationships, including his platonic intimacy with Julie, while the household faces challenges like his fainting spells and Abbie's health struggles. After a tense argument, Jamie and Julie run away, prompting Dorothea, Abbie, and William to search for them, eventually leading to their reconciliation. The family shares a meal and dances, with Dorothea dyeing Jamie's hair pink, symbolizing her acceptance as she reflects on their evolving bond and the impermanence of their time together.
Save the Cat beat sheet
Set in late 1970s California, 20th Century Women follows single mother Dorothea as she enlists two younger women to help raise her teenage son Jamie.
Open full beat sheetDorothea Fields is listed as Protagonist, Mother. 55 years old, short grey hair, Amelia Earhart androgyny, resilient, independent. In the parsed data, Dorothea Fields is connected to 38 scenes, 16 dialogue lines, 16 text mentions, first appearing around scene 4.
38 scenes / 16 dialogue linesJamie Fields is listed as Protagonist, Son. 15 years old, New-Wave/Punk style, curious, struggling with adolescence. In the parsed data, Jamie Fields is connected to 37 scenes, 9 dialogue lines, 9 text mentions, first appearing around scene 18.
37 scenes / 9 dialogue linesAbbie Porter is listed as Boarder, Mentor. 28 years old, sophisticated NYC art-punk type, photographer, recovering from cancer. In the parsed data, Abbie Porter is connected to 24 scenes, 11 dialogue lines, 11 text mentions, first appearing around scene 10.
24 scenes / 11 dialogue linesJulie Bowen is listed as Friend, Neighbor. 17 years old, subversive, intelligent, complex relationship with Jamie. In the parsed data, Julie Bowen is connected to 24 scenes, 7 dialogue lines, 7 text mentions, first appearing around scene 12.
24 scenes / 7 dialogue linesWilliam is listed as Handyman, Boarder. Mid 40s, post-hippie type, skilled with his hands, gentle. In the parsed data, William is connected to 18 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 23.
18 scenes / 2 dialogue linesMary is listed as Therapist. 40s, academic, Julie's mother. In the parsed data, Mary is connected to 1 scene, first appearing around scene 6.
1 scenes / 0 dialogue linesHigh overhead shot of the Pacific Ocean.
Dorothea and Jamie discover their car is on fire.
Dorothea Fields, Jamie FieldsDorothea and Jamie watch Casablanca.
Dorothea Fields, Jamie FieldsDorothea invites the firemen to her birthday party.
Dorothea Fields, Jamie FieldsDorothea and Jamie sit on a fire truck bumper.
Dorothea Fields, Jamie FieldsJulie attends a therapy session.
Julie Bowen, MaryJulie leaves therapy.
Julie BowenAbbie visits the OBGYN.
Abbie PorterJulie enters the house and finds William working.
Julie Bowen, WilliamJulie finds Abbie dancing.
Julie Bowen, Abbie PorterThe group discusses the car fire.
Dorothea Fields, Jamie Fields, Julie Bowen, Abbie Porter, WilliamJamie and Julie talk about their relationship.
Jamie Fields, Julie BowenWilliam shows Dorothea the ceiling work.
Dorothea Fields, WilliamDorothea's birthday party.
Dorothea Fields, Jamie Fields, Abbie Porter, WilliamDorothea joins Jamie and Abbie listening to music.
Dorothea Fields, Jamie Fields, Abbie PorterJamie faints during the fainting game.
Jamie Fields, Julie BowenJamie is treated at the hospital.
Dorothea Fields, Jamie Fields, Julie Bowen, Abbie Porter, WilliamDorothea and Jamie argue.
Dorothea Fields, Jamie FieldsDorothea asks Abbie and Julie to help with Jamie.
Dorothea Fields, Julie Bowen, Abbie PorterDorothea tells Jamie she asked the girls for help.
Dorothea Fields, Jamie FieldsDinner without Jamie.
Dorothea Fields, Abbie Porter, WilliamAbbie shows William her photos.
Abbie Porter, WilliamAbbie and William discuss her objects and begin a sexual encounter, despite Abbie's cancer diagnosis.
Abbie Porter, WilliamJamie and his friends drive back from LA.
Jamie FieldsJamie arrives home buzzed.
Jamie FieldsDorothea waits for Jamie.
Dorothea FieldsJamie and Julie discuss their night and Julie's sexual encounter.
Jamie Fields, Julie BowenFlashback to Julie and friends at a pool.
Julie BowenFlashback to Julie and Tim in a car.
Julie BowenAbbie and William engage in role-play.
Abbie Porter, WilliamThe family has an awkward breakfast.
Dorothea Fields, Jamie Fields, Julie Bowen, Abbie Porter, WilliamAbbie receives medical news.
Jamie Fields, Abbie PorterJamie buys a pregnancy test.
Jamie FieldsJulie takes the pregnancy test.
Jamie Fields, Julie BowenJamie and Julie practice smoking.
Jamie Fields, Julie BowenDorothea interacts with Charlie.
Dorothea FieldsDorothea, William, and Abbie visit a punk club.
Dorothea Fields, Abbie Porter, WilliamDorothea watches a punk band, feels pained, and decides to leave. She asks William to look after Abbie.
Dorothea Fields, Abbie Porter, WilliamDorothea exits the club, asks the doorman Julian for a cigarette, and leaves.
Dorothea FieldsDorothea returns home to find Jamie waiting up for her.
Dorothea Fields, Jamie FieldsDorothea smokes and reflects on her future death.
Dorothea FieldsAbbie enters Jamie's room, distraught, and talks to Jamie and Julie.
Jamie Fields, Julie Bowen, Abbie PorterAbbie helps Dorothea clean up after the party. Dorothea confronts Jamie about his behavior, leading to an argument. Jamie leaves, and William is revealed to be present.
Dorothea Fields, Jamie Fields, Abbie Porter, WilliamJulie enters through the window. Jamie confronts her about her behavior at the party, leading to a tense exchange about their relationship.
Jamie Fields, Julie BowenDorothea finds a note from Jamie stating he and Julie have left on a trip.
Dorothea FieldsMontage of Jamie and Julie driving up the coast in Dorothea's car.
Jamie Fields, Julie BowenJamie and Julie explore the rocks along the ocean.
Jamie Fields, Julie BowenDorothea visits a punk club, seeking to understand Jamie's world.
Dorothea FieldsJamie and Julie ask a stranger to buy them alcohol.
Jamie Fields, Julie BowenDorothea is pulled over by a cop for a minor traffic violation and engages in a defiant conversation.
Dorothea FieldsJamie and Julie have a conflict regarding their physical relationship.
Jamie Fields, Julie BowenJamie leaves the hotel and walks the streets alone.
Jamie FieldsAbbie picks up Dorothea from the police station, with William waiting nearby.
Dorothea Fields, Abbie Porter, WilliamAbbie drives a weary Dorothea home.
Dorothea Fields, Abbie PorterAbbie helps Dorothea get into bed and they discuss the difficulties of parenting.
Dorothea Fields, Abbie PorterJamie walks past migrant workers, feeling isolated.
Jamie FieldsDorothea asks Abbie and William to accompany her to San Luis Obispo to find Jamie.
Dorothea Fields, Abbie Porter, WilliamWilliam drives Dorothea and Abbie up the coast.
Dorothea Fields, Abbie Porter, WilliamDorothea reunites with Julie and learns where Jamie is.
Dorothea Fields, Julie BowenDorothea finds Jamie and they reconcile.
Dorothea Fields, Jamie FieldsThe group shares a meal and dances together.
Dorothea Fields, Jamie Fields, Julie Bowen, Abbie Porter, WilliamAbbie, Julie, and William depart, leaving Dorothea and Jamie alone.
Dorothea Fields, Jamie Fields, Julie Bowen, Abbie Porter, WilliamJamie expresses a desire to dye his hair.
Dorothea Fields, Jamie FieldsJamie and Dorothea have a picnic and discuss his father.
Dorothea Fields, Jamie FieldsDorothea dyes Jamie's hair and they discuss loneliness and the future.
Dorothea Fields, Jamie FieldsDorothea drives while Jamie skateboards alongside the car.
Dorothea Fields, Jamie FieldsA story, like, you're a photographer taking pictures of me, I'm like a very normal woman or something, you have to photograph me, but you can't control yourself and you start touching me, and you shouldn't, but you can't stop and you keep apologizing, 'I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry...'
He knows what I'm thinking, and what makes me laugh - he can really see me. And, you know he's gonna do what he says he's gonna do, so it's easy.
They're just gonna think you're some... they're gonna get the wrong idea about you.
Let's get out of here, like you said, let's go up the coast. Just the two of us.
It's sad in a way isn't it? All this stuff? You know what I mean?
I'm taking pictures of everything that happens to me in a day.
You can't sleep here and just want to talk with me anymore.
I'm dealing with everything, you are dealing with nothing.
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