1990
Sherman McCoy, a wealthy bond trader, and his mistress, Maria Ruskin, get lost in the Bronx and accidentally hit a young Black man, Henry Lamb, with their car, leaving him for dead. Peter Fallow, a drunken journalist, is assigned to cover the story, which Reverend Bacon, a manipulative community leader, uses to incite racial tension and pressure District Attorney Abe Weiss, who is running for mayor. Sherman is arrested and becomes a scapegoat for the city's racial and class divisions, while Fallow's sensationalized reporting earns him accolades. During the trial, Maria testifies against Sherman, but a wiretap recording reveals her perjury, exposing the truth and leading to chaos in the courtroom. Ultimately, Henry Lamb awakens from his coma, discrediting the entire case and leaving Sherman to face the consequences of his actions and the media circus he became entangled in.
Save the Cat beat sheet
Bond trader Sherman McCoy’s privileged life collides with a hit-and-run scandal in the Bronx, triggering a media frenzy led by cynical journalist Peter Fallow.
Open full beat sheetSherman McCoy is listed as Protagonist. Impeccably designed and dressed, bond trader, lives on Park Avenue. In the parsed data, Sherman McCoy is connected to 43 scenes, 28 dialogue lines, 29 text mentions, first appearing around scene 5.
43 scenes / 28 dialogue linesPeter Fallow is listed as Journalist. Drunk, disheveled, works for City Light newspaper. In the parsed data, Peter Fallow is connected to 21 scenes, 6 dialogue lines, 7 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
21 scenes / 6 dialogue linesMaria Ruskin is listed as Sherman's mistress. Young, beautiful, ultra-chic. In the parsed data, Maria Ruskin is connected to 15 scenes, 15 dialogue lines, 15 text mentions, first appearing around scene 15.
15 scenes / 15 dialogue linesJed Kramer is listed as Assistant District Attorney. Ambitious, new to the Bronx courtroom. In the parsed data, Jed Kramer is connected to 13 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 56.
13 scenes / 2 dialogue linesJudy McCoy is listed as Sherman's wife. Thin, beautiful, exercise-obsessed. In the parsed data, Judy McCoy is connected to 11 scenes, 5 dialogue lines, 5 text mentions, first appearing around scene 5.
11 scenes / 5 dialogue linesTom Killian is listed as Sherman's lawyer. Criminal defense attorney. In the parsed data, Tom Killian is connected to 8 scenes, 5 dialogue lines, 5 text mentions, first appearing around scene 46.
8 scenes / 5 dialogue linesReverend Bacon is listed as Community leader. Harlem church leader, manipulative, powerful. In the parsed data, Reverend Bacon is connected to 8 scenes, 4 dialogue lines, 5 text mentions, first appearing around scene 25.
8 scenes / 4 dialogue linesJudge Leonard White is listed as Judge. Bony skull, beaked nose, aggressive. In the parsed data, Judge Leonard White is connected to 7 scenes, 5 dialogue lines, 5 text mentions, first appearing around scene 22.
7 scenes / 5 dialogue linesAlbert Fox is listed as Lawyer. Publicity-seeking, opportunistic. In the parsed data, Albert Fox is connected to 7 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 34.
7 scenes / 2 dialogue linesAbe Weiss is listed as District Attorney. Mayoral candidate, manipulative. In the parsed data, Abe Weiss is connected to 6 scenes, 4 dialogue lines, 4 text mentions, first appearing around scene 42.
6 scenes / 4 dialogue linesHenry Lamb is listed as Victim. Young black man, honor student, ends up in a coma. In the parsed data, Henry Lamb is connected to 4 scenes, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 20.
4 scenes / 0 dialogue linesA fast-motion aerial view of Manhattan at night.
Peter Fallow narrates as the camera races up Fifth Avenue.
Peter FallowA drunk Peter Fallow is escorted through a loading area into a party.
Peter FallowSherman McCoy struggles to leash his dog.
Sherman McCoySherman and Judy argue about walking the dog.
Sherman McCoy, Judy McCoySherman struggles with the dog in the lobby.
Sherman McCoySherman encounters Pollard Browning.
Sherman McCoySherman attempts to call Maria but accidentally calls his home.
Sherman McCoyJudy realizes Sherman called her.
Judy McCoyJudy confronts Sherman about the phone call.
Sherman McCoy, Judy McCoySherman prepares for the day while Judy remains upset.
Sherman McCoy, Judy McCoySherman works in the high-pressure trading environment.
Sherman McCoySherman discusses a bond deal with Gene Lopwitz via speakerphone.
Sherman McCoySherman meets Maria at the airport.
Sherman McCoy, Maria RuskinSherman and Maria drive and get lost in the Bronx.
Sherman McCoy, Maria RuskinSherman and Maria are in the car, lost in the Bronx, and encounter a pimp and a prostitute.
Sherman McCoy, Maria RuskinA young man approaches the car, and Maria drives away.
Sherman McCoy, Maria RuskinSherman and Maria argue about the situation while driving.
Sherman McCoy, Maria RuskinSherman and Maria find a body in the road.
Sherman McCoy, Maria RuskinSherman is confronted by two men.
Sherman McCoy, Maria Ruskin, Henry LambSherman and Maria arrive at her apartment and decide not to report the incident.
Sherman McCoy, Maria RuskinJudge White presides over a chaotic courtroom.
Judge Leonard White, Jed KramerKramer is introduced to the realities of the Bronx courtroom.
Judge Leonard White, Jed KramerDetectives inform Kramer about the Henry Lamb case.
Jed KramerKramer meets with Reverend Bacon regarding the Henry Lamb case.
Reverend Bacon, Jed KramerSherman, Judy, and Campbell drive to Southampton.
Sherman McCoy, Judy McCoySherman's family gathers at the beach house.
Sherman McCoy, Judy McCoySherman and his family discuss his job as a bond trader during a meal.
Sherman McCoy, Judy McCoyPeter Fallow is drinking at a bar and encounters his boss, Gerald Moore.
Peter FallowPeter Fallow interacts with Caroline Heftshank and Filippo Chirazzi.
Peter FallowGerald Moore confronts Peter Fallow about his poor performance.
Peter FallowPeter receives a phone call from Albert Fox.
Peter Fallow, Albert FoxAlbert Fox films a segment with a midget client.
Peter Fallow, Albert FoxFox tries to convince Peter to write about the Henry Lamb case.
Peter Fallow, Albert FoxPeter interviews Ed Rifkin about Henry Lamb.
Peter FallowSherman discovers the newspaper article about Henry Lamb.
Sherman McCoySherman confronts Maria about the newspaper article.
Sherman McCoy, Maria RuskinSherman and Maria discuss the risks of being caught.
Sherman McCoy, Maria RuskinPeter Fallow arrives at the housing project to meet with Buck and Reverend Bacon regarding the Henry Lamb case.
Peter Fallow, Reverend BaconReverend Bacon orchestrates the media event, pressuring Fallow and Corsaro for coverage.
Peter Fallow, Reverend BaconReverend Bacon gives a speech to the crowd, inciting anger against Abe Weiss.
Reverend Bacon, Abe Weiss, Henry LambAbe Weiss reacts to the negative media coverage and orders an investigation into the car.
Judge Leonard White, Jed Kramer, Abe WeissDetectives Martin and Goldberg visit Sherman McCoy to investigate his car.
Sherman McCoyWeiss and his team discuss the strategy to use Sherman McCoy to save Weiss's political career.
Jed Kramer, Abe WeissSherman consults his lawyer, Tom Killian, about the investigation.
Sherman McCoy, Tom KillianSherman discusses his plan to turn himself in with Killian, who warns him about the dangers of being arrested in the Bronx.
Sherman McCoy, Tom KillianA chauffeur arrives at the McCoy building.
Judy prepares for an opera benefit while Sherman tries to discuss his impending arrest.
Sherman McCoy, Judy McCoySherman watches the final scene of Don Giovanni and becomes visibly distressed.
Sherman McCoy, Judy McCoySherman attends a benefit, encounters Maria, and is haunted by the theme of repentance.
Sherman McCoy, Judy McCoy, Maria RuskinSherman is picked up by the police.
Sherman McCoyKillian and the police transport Sherman to the courthouse.
Sherman McCoy, Tom KillianSherman is mobbed by the press upon arrival.
Sherman McCoy, Peter Fallow, Jed Kramer, Tom KillianSherman undergoes a humiliating booking process.
Sherman McCoySherman is arraigned and pleads not guilty while acting erratically.
Sherman McCoy, Reverend Bacon, Judge Leonard White, Jed Kramer, Tom KillianJudge White denies the prosecution's request for high bail and releases Sherman McCoy on a $10,000 bond, causing an uproar.
Sherman McCoy, Judge Leonard White, Jed Kramer, Tom KillianPeter Fallow observes the chaos and encounters Sherman McCoy.
Sherman McCoy, Peter FallowSherman and Peter ride the subway; Sherman reveals he wasn't driving the car.
Sherman McCoy, Peter FallowSherman returns home to a party, confronts his wife, and eventually clears the guests with a shotgun.
Sherman McCoy, Judy McCoy, Albert FoxPeter Fallow learns from Caroline that Maria Ruskin was in the car with Sherman.
Peter FallowPeter Fallow meets Arthur Ruskin for lunch to discuss a profile piece, but Arthur collapses and dies.
Peter FallowMaria Ruskin arrives at the airport.
Maria RuskinPeter Fallow confronts Maria Ruskin about the Bronx accident.
Peter Fallow, Maria RuskinFox, Bacon, Annie Lamb, and Peter discuss the lawsuit and the newspaper story.
Peter Fallow, Reverend Bacon, Albert Fox, Henry LambWeiss orders Kramer to pressure Maria Ruskin for testimony.
Jed Kramer, Abe WeissSherman and Killian listen to a wiretapped recording of Maria.
Sherman McCoy, Tom KillianSherman confronts Maria at the funeral, wearing a wire.
Sherman McCoy, Maria Ruskin, Jed KramerSherman is alone in his empty apartment with a tape recorder when his father visits.
Sherman McCoy, char_12Maria Ruskin testifies in court, implicating Sherman, but a hidden tape recording reveals her perjury.
Judge Leonard White, Jed Kramer, Maria Ruskin, Sherman McCoy, Tom Killian, Reverend BaconSherman and the Judge escape the mob, with Sherman using a sword from a fallen statue to defend them.
Sherman McCoy, Judge Leonard White, Jed Kramer, Reverend Bacon, Albert Fox, Abe WeissPeter Fallow is honored at an awards ceremony.
Peter FallowHenry Lamb wakes up from his coma.
Henry LambYes. We're getting closer. Can you feel it. Can you see it? The heat. The brilliance. Moving fast into the heart of it. Buzz. Buzz. Can you feel the buzz? The city is pulling you in. The city of light. The city of diabolical promise. The city of answered prayers.
If your office has information bearing upon the bail status of this case, I instruct you to make a formal application. Until then, I am releasing Mr. McCoy under a bond in the amount of $10,000. Now get this side show out of my court.
I have a petition from the community with an appeal to the District Attorney that justice be done. And Mr. Weiss himself has instructed me to request bail in the amount of $250,000. Cash.
Neither did I. So if the question ever comes up, all that happened was, two boys blocked the road and tried to rob us and we got away. That's all we know.
What kind of muckracking yellow journalist are you!? You print a story like this without so much as a by-your-leave to me or to Reverend Bacon here!
A poor, innocent black kid, walking down the street, minding his own business. And boom! Hit and run. There's a story in it for somebody, Peter.
Now they're going to sue the hospital. You see? All they want is money. Imagine using a terrible tragedy like this for your own selfish motives.
It means I want to take the initiative. I want to go to the police with Maria -- Mrs. Ruskin -- and just tell them exactly what happened.
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