Save the Cat rankings

City of Joy script analysis

City of Joy script - Save the Cat beat sheet analysis

City of Joy follows two parallel journeys: the Pal family’s desperate flight from rural Bihar and American doctor Max Loeb’s disillusionment in Calcutta. When Hasari Pal saves Max from a beating, their fates intertwine, leading both to confront poverty, corruption, and ultimately find purpose in the slums. Through crises and personal doubts, they forge community bonds and commit to saving lives in the City of Joy.

80 Save the Cat fit score 73% analysis confidence / 51 parsed scenes

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1

Opening Image

Scene 1 / Page 1 / 1% target

82%

The parched Bihar farm illustrates hardship and sets the film’s tone of desperation and hope.

2

Theme Stated

Scene 2 / Page 1 / 5% target

78%

Hasari’s parents warn him about responsibility and protecting his family, hinting at the film’s themes of obligation and survival.

Don't let the children out of your sight. Not for a moment.
3

Set-Up

Scenes 1-5 / Pages 1-2 / 10% target

80%

We meet Hasari’s struggling family en route to Calcutta and Max’s frustration in the ashram and with Betsy, establishing both protagonists’ worlds.

4

Catalyst

Scene 14 / Page 3 / 12% target

85%

Hasari intervenes to stop Max’s beating, unexpectedly bringing their lives together and sparking the central relationship.

5

Debate

Scenes 16-17 / Pages 3-4 / 20% target

75%

Hasari hesitates over his new rickshaw puller life and job prospects, weighing risk versus survival.

6

Break into Two

Scene 15 / Page 3 / 25% target

77%

Max wakes in the City of Joy clinic and meets Joan, crossing into the gritty slum world where he must decide to stay.

You're in the City of Joy.
7

B Story

Scene 21 / Page 5 / 30% target

79%

Joan articulates the choice to commit, framing the emotional core and Max’s relationship subplot.

There are really only three actions open to a person. To run, to spectate, to commit.
8

Fun and Games

Scenes 22-24 / Pages 5-6 / 40% target

81%

Max, Hasari, and the community engage in clinic work, rickshaw rides, and deliver a breech birth, showing the promise of their teamwork.

9

Midpoint

Scene 25 / Page 7 / 50% target

76%

At the airport, Betsy leaves Max, marking a false victory/defeat where personal ties break and stakes rise.

10

Bad Guys Close In

Scenes 29-30 / Page 9 / 65% target

84%

Ashoka attacks Poomina and later incites a gang confrontation, threatening the clinic’s safety.

11

All Is Lost

Scene 32 / Page 9 / 75% target

83%

Ashoka fires Hasari and confiscates his rickshaw, symbolizing the loss of Hasari’s livelihood and hope.

12

Dark Night of the Soul

Scene 34 / Page 10 / 80% target

78%

Max tells Hasari he’s leaving, doubting his role and feeling every effort has failed.

I'm sorry. I'm going home. Because this isn't my fight. I got one person to look after --...
13

Break into Three

Scene 36 / Page 10 / 85% target

80%

Max returns to the clinic at the airport, having chosen to recommit to the fight despite his doubts.

What were those three choices again?
14

Finale

Scenes 42-45 / Pages 11-12 / 95% target

85%

During a flood, Max, Hasari, and the community rescue lepers and repair the clinic, uniting to overcome the biggest external crisis.

15

Final Image

Scene 51 / Page 13 / 99% target

81%

Amrita’s wedding in the courtyard shows restored dignity and cohesion, mirroring the Opening Image’s despair with hope fulfilled.