Save the Cat rankings

Erin Brockovich script analysis

Erin Brockovich script - Save the Cat beat sheet analysis

Erin Brockovich introduces a single, resourceful woman who stumbles into a legal case and finds purpose fighting a big corporation. Along the way she balances personal struggles with her children and burgeoning romance, steadily gathering evidence. Though she faces setbacks including being fired, Erin’s tenacity leads to a major victory and personal growth.

20 Save the Cat fit score 12% analysis confidence / 154 parsed scenes

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1

Opening Image

Scene 1 / Page 1 / 1% target

80%

Erin walks the suburban street, showcasing her striking individuality before the main plot begins.

2

Theme Stated

Scene 5 / Page 5 / 5% target

45%

In her first meeting, Ed hints that justice matters more than money, foreshadowing Erin’s moral fight.

Well, listen, you came to the right place. Whoever did this to you made one hell of a...
3

Set-Up

Scenes 2-4 / Pages 2-4 / 10% target

60%

Erin’s accident, court defeat, and her subsequent struggle establish her financial and emotional stakes.

4

Catalyst

Scene 9 / Page 9 / 12% target

70%

Erin demands a job at Masry & Vititoe, kicking off her involvement in the PG&E case.

I'm not everyone else, Mr. Masry. I'm someone you made promises to that you didn't deliver on. I...
5

Debate

Scenes 11-14 / Pages 11-14 / 20% target

55%

Erin wrestles with her lack of legal training as she digs into medical files and terms.

6

Break into Two

Scene 22 / Page 22 / 25% target

65%

Erin arrives in Hinkley and commits to investigating the community’s water contamination.

7

B Story

Scene 10 / Page 10 / 30% target

75%

Erin meets neighbor George, beginning her personal/romantic subplot.

Well, hello to you, darlin'.
8

Fun and Games

Scenes 23-38 / Pages 23-38 / 40% target

60%

Montage of Erin researching, meeting victims, and uncovering PG&E’s documents demonstrates her investigative prowess.

9

Midpoint

Scene 38 / Page 38 / 50% target

80%

Erin finds the incriminating PG&E document at the water board, upping the stakes significantly.

"... On December 7, 1987, the discharger notified the regional board and the San Bernardino County Environmental Health...
10

Bad Guys Close In

Scenes 41-42 / Pages 41-42 / 65% target

70%

Erin is fired and her desk cleared, while PG&E’s legal pressure mounts.

11

All Is Lost

Scene 46 / Page 46 / 75% target

85%

Erin has an emotional breakdown at home, feeling her personal and professional worlds collapsing.

What kind of person lives like this? Huh? What kind of person lets her kids run around in...
12

Dark Night of the Soul

Scene 48 / Page 48 / 80% target

65%

In bed with George, Erin shows vulnerability and questions her path before regrouping.

Don't be too nice to me, okay? It makes me nervous.
13

Break into Three

Scenes 51-52 / Pages 51-52 / 85% target

70%

Ed visits Erin at home asking for her help again, re-igniting her fight against PG&E.

I got an interesting call this afternoon. It was from a Dr. Frankel.
14

Finale

Scenes 115-117 / Pages 115-117 / 95% target

75%

Erin publicly confronts the PG&E lawyers in the conference room, rallying over a hundred plaintiffs and winning the firm’s respect.

Oh, see, now that pisses me off. First of all -- we got more'n a hundred plaintiffs. They...
15

Final Image

Scene 154 / Page 154 / 99% target

80%

Ed presents Erin with a two-million-dollar bonus check, mirroring her initial image but now triumphant.

You see your office?