1958
Margaret Ulbrich leaves her first husband with her daughter Jane, struggling to make ends meet as an artist in 1950s San Francisco. She meets and marries Walter Keane, a charismatic but manipulative artist who begins to claim credit for Margaret's distinctive paintings of big-eyed children, convincing her to maintain the lie for their commercial success. As the Keane art empire grows, Margaret is forced to paint in secret, becoming increasingly isolated and resentful of Walter's fame and abusive control. After years of living in the shadow of Walter's deception, Margaret finally flees to Hawaii with Jane and, inspired by her newfound faith, publicly reveals that she is the true artist. The ensuing legal battle culminates in a dramatic courtroom paint-off, where Margaret proves her authorship, exposing Walter's fraud and reclaiming her identity and artistic legacy.
Save the Cat beat sheet
Margaret Keane, a struggling single mother and painter, leaves her marriage to pursue her art, only to have her husband Walter take credit for her iconic paintings.
Open full beat sheetMargaret Ulbrich is listed as Protagonist / Artist. Blonde, yearning, fragile, talented painter of big-eyed children. In the parsed data, Margaret Ulbrich is connected to 65 scenes, 77 dialogue lines, 77 text mentions, first appearing around scene 3.
65 scenes / 77 dialogue linesWalter Keane is listed as Antagonist / Husband. Confident, charming, manipulative, claims credit for Margaret's art. In the parsed data, Walter Keane is connected to 54 scenes, 113 dialogue lines, 115 text mentions, first appearing around scene 6.
54 scenes / 113 dialogue linesJane is listed as Margaret's daughter. 8-year-old girl, the original subject of Margaret's paintings. In the parsed data, Jane is connected to 28 scenes, 18 dialogue lines, 21 text mentions, first appearing around scene 34.
28 scenes / 18 dialogue linesDee-Ann is listed as Margaret's friend. Beat girl, supportive of Margaret. In the parsed data, Dee-Ann is connected to 9 scenes, 15 dialogue lines, 19 text mentions, first appearing around scene 5.
9 scenes / 15 dialogue linesEnrico Banducci is listed as Club owner. Theatrical, natty Italian owner of the hungry i. In the parsed data, Enrico Banducci is connected to 5 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 14.
5 scenes / 1 dialogue linesDick Nolan is listed as Journalist. Examiner columnist, helps promote the Keanes. In the parsed data, Dick Nolan is connected to 4 scenes, 5 dialogue lines, 5 text mentions, first appearing around scene 34.
4 scenes / 5 dialogue linesJohn Canaday is listed as Art Critic. New York Times art critic, vocal opponent of Keane's work. In the parsed data, John Canaday is connected to 4 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 53.
4 scenes / 2 dialogue linesLily is listed as Walter's daughter. Walter's daughter from a previous marriage. In the parsed data, Lily is connected to 2 scenes, 10 dialogue lines, 13 text mentions, first appearing around scene 34.
2 scenes / 10 dialogue linesMargaret packs her belongings and Jane's things to leave her husband, taking her paintings but leaving behind a wedding photo.
Margaret Ulbrich, JaneMargaret drives with Jane, feeling uncertain about her decision to leave.
Margaret Ulbrich, JaneMargaret interviews for a job at a furniture factory, revealing she is separated.
Margaret Ulbrich, JaneMargaret works painting Humpty Dumpty on cribs alongside other painters.
Margaret UlbrichMargaret meets her friend Dee-Ann in North Beach.
Margaret Ulbrich, Dee-AnnMargaret sketches portraits at an art show and meets Walter Keane.
Margaret Ulbrich, Walter Keane, JaneMargaret and Walter have an intimate dinner where Walter shares his past in Paris.
Margaret Ulbrich, Walter KeaneMargaret and Walter paint together; Walter reveals he is a real estate agent.
Margaret Ulbrich, Walter Keane, JaneWalter proposes to Margaret after she receives news about a custody battle.
Margaret Ulbrich, Walter Keane, JaneMargaret and Walter get married in Hawaii.
Margaret Ulbrich, Walter Keane, JaneMargaret shows Dee-Ann photos from her trip to Hawaii.
Margaret Ulbrich, Dee-AnnWalter tries to sell his and Margaret's paintings to a gallery owner, Ruben.
Walter KeaneWalter and Margaret discuss the art world at a nightclub.
Margaret Ulbrich, Walter Keane, Enrico BanducciWalter attempts to convince Banducci to exhibit his paintings in the club.
Walter Keane, Enrico BanducciWalter promotes the paintings while Margaret works.
Margaret Ulbrich, Walter KeaneWalter struggles to sell paintings in the club's hallway.
Margaret Ulbrich, Walter KeaneWalter and Banducci get into a physical altercation.
Walter Keane, Enrico BanducciMargaret bails Walter out of jail.
Margaret Ulbrich, Walter KeaneBanducci and Walter reconcile after the brawl brings publicity.
Walter Keane, Enrico Banducci, Dick NolanWalter returns home with money from sales.
Margaret Ulbrich, Walter KeaneMargaret discovers Walter is taking credit for her work.
Margaret Ulbrich, Walter KeaneWalter sells a painting to Dino Olivetti.
Margaret Ulbrich, Walter KeaneWalter and Margaret discuss the sale.
Margaret Ulbrich, Walter KeaneWalter, Margaret, and Jane put up posters.
Margaret Ulbrich, Walter Keane, JaneMargaret seeks advice from a priest.
Margaret UlbrichOpening night at the gallery.
Margaret Ulbrich, Walter Keane, Dee-AnnWalter enters Margaret's locked painting room.
Margaret Ulbrich, Walter Keane, JaneWalter enters the locked painting room, discovers Margaret working, and they discuss the art and their public image.
Margaret Ulbrich, Walter Keane, JaneWalter appears on a local public affairs show and tells a fabricated story about his inspiration for the paintings.
Walter KeaneWalter visits his gallery and realizes the popularity of his posters.
Walter KeaneWalter calls Margaret to discuss the new strategy of selling posters.
Margaret Ulbrich, Walter KeaneMargaret shops and feels disconnected while seeing her art everywhere.
Margaret UlbrichMargaret paints a self-portrait; Walter enters and confronts her about it.
Margaret Ulbrich, Walter KeaneA photo shoot with Dick Nolan; Walter introduces his daughter Lily.
Margaret Ulbrich, Walter Keane, Jane, Dick Nolan, LilyMargaret confronts Walter about Lily.
Margaret Ulbrich, Walter KeaneJane and Lily bond.
Jane, LilyAn art show where Margaret tries to claim her work.
Margaret Ulbrich, Walter KeaneRuben sees the market flooded with Keane rip-offs.
Dee-Ann visits Margaret at her new home.
Margaret Ulbrich, Dee-AnnWalter catches Dee-Ann in the studio.
Margaret Ulbrich, Walter Keane, Dee-AnnWalter kicks Dee-Ann out.
Margaret Ulbrich, Walter Keane, Dee-AnnDee-Ann leaves after a heated argument with Walter and Margaret.
Margaret Ulbrich, Walter Keane, Dee-AnnMargaret and Walter lie in bed in silence.
Margaret Ulbrich, Walter KeaneMargaret tells Jane she has to go to work.
Margaret Ulbrich, JaneMargaret discovers the truth about Walter's street scenes.
Margaret UlbrichMargaret confronts Walter about the Cenic paintings.
Margaret Ulbrich, Walter KeaneMargaret makes breakfast while Walter sleeps on the couch.
Margaret Ulbrich, JaneWalter tries to learn to paint, fails, and destroys the canvases.
Margaret Ulbrich, Walter KeaneWalter visits the gallery and has a breakdown.
Walter KeaneWalter threatens Margaret and proposes a new project for the World's Fair.
Margaret Ulbrich, Walter KeaneMargaret works on the massive World's Fair painting.
Margaret Ulbrich, Walter KeaneJane discovers the truth about the paintings.
Margaret Ulbrich, JaneWalter and Margaret attend a party where they are confronted by a bad review.
Margaret Ulbrich, Walter Keane, John CanadayWalter loses his temper at a party, threatens John Canaday with a fork, and is shamed into leaving.
Walter Keane, John Canaday, Margaret UlbrichWorkmen remove the 'Tomorrow Forever' painting.
Walter, in a drunken rage, threatens Margaret and Jane with fire.
Walter Keane, Margaret Ulbrich, JaneMargaret and Jane flee from Walter to the painting room.
Margaret Ulbrich, Jane, Walter KeaneMargaret and Jane hide while Walter tries to set the room on fire.
Margaret Ulbrich, Jane, Walter KeaneWalter sees headlights as Margaret and Jane escape.
Walter KeaneMargaret and Jane drive to Hawaii.
Margaret Ulbrich, JaneMargaret and Jane settle into their new life in Hawaii.
Margaret Ulbrich, JaneMargaret receives a phone call from Walter.
Margaret Ulbrich, Walter KeaneMargaret loads paintings while Jane argues with her.
Margaret Ulbrich, JaneJehovah's Witnesses visit Margaret.
Margaret UlbrichMargaret reads religious literature.
Margaret Ulbrich, JaneWalter discovers a painting signed by Margaret.
Walter KeaneMargaret and Jane attend a service.
Margaret Ulbrich, JaneMargaret reveals the truth on the radio.
Margaret UlbrichMargaret and Jane leave the radio station.
Margaret Ulbrich, JaneThe news of Margaret's revelation spreads.
John Canaday, Dee-Ann, Dick Nolan, Enrico BanducciWalter reacts to the news.
Walter KeaneWalter asks Dick for help.
Walter Keane, Dick NolanMargaret discusses the situation with her friends.
Margaret Ulbrich, JaneThe trial begins.
Margaret Ulbrich, Jane, Walter KeaneThe trial proceedings.
Margaret Ulbrich, Walter KeaneWalter questions Margaret.
Margaret Ulbrich, Walter KeaneWalter testifies.
Walter KeaneWalter testifies in court, rambling about his past and celebrities, until the Judge orders a painting contest.
Walter Keane, Margaret Ulbrich, John CanadayMargaret and Walter are provided with art supplies to paint in the courtroom.
Margaret Ulbrich, Walter Keane, JaneMargaret exits the courthouse victorious after winning the case.
Margaret Ulbrich, Jane, Walter KeaneIt's the craziest thing. I started charging for the posters! First a nickel... then a dime. YES, Maggie! It's cuckoo! So it got me thinkin': Would you rather sell a $500 painting, or a million cheaply-reproduced posters?! See, folks don't care if it's a copy. They just want art that touches them!
Luckily, my maiden name is Margaret Doris Hawkins! "M" is the 13th letter of the alphabet, "D" is 4, "H" 8! If you add up 1 and 3 in 13, that gives you 4, making 4 plus 4 plus 8 equals 16, then 1 plus 6 equals seven!
Loosen up, Mom! You're impossible! You move me all the way to Hawaii. Then I actually make some friends, and all you do is complain about them. Maybe you need to make some.
What emotions?! It's synthetic hack work! Your masterpiece has an infinity of Keanes -- which just makes it an infinity of kitsch!
"Sales?" None with this crowd. These people are looky-loos! They can't afford the paintings. But we gave away a heap of posters!
No! Her mom's just going to Vegas for the weekend. I'm supposed to have her once a month, but I don't make her mom enforce it.
Jane has nice friends. Sometimes I pick them up at the junior high, and we all get pizza. But she's busy... Are you hungry?
I had a helluva night. Worked three or four clubs. Stumbled onto some hot gossip: Madame Chiang Kai-shek is coming to town!
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