Screenplay data
Felix Bush, a reclusive seventy-two-year-old, decides to host his own funeral party while still alive to hear what people truly think of him, hiring Frank Quinn and his employee Buddy Robinson to organize the event. Bush's plan to confess a lifelong secret at the party is complicated by the reappearance of Mattie Darrow, a woman from his past, and the unexpected influx of money from attendees. As the party approaches, Bush's health deteriorates, and he is shot by Carl, a local man with a grudge, forcing Reverend Charlie Jackson to deliver Bush's confession. Bush reveals that he was responsible for the accidental death of Mattie's sister, Mary, decades ago, a secret that has haunted him and led to his isolation. Two months later, Bush dies peacefully, having finally unburdened himself and found a measure of redemption through his confession.
Save the Cat beat sheet
An aging hermit, Felix Bush, plans his own ‘live funeral party’ before dying, prompting a media frenzy and personal reckonings.
Open full beat sheetFelix Bush is listed as Protagonist. A fierce, gray-bearded, 72-year-old recluse living in the Appalachian mountains. In the parsed data, Felix Bush is connected to 54 scenes, 67 dialogue lines, 69 text mentions, first appearing around scene 6.
54 scenes / 67 dialogue linesBuddy Robinson is listed as Supporting. A young employee at the Quinn Funeral Home, married to Kathryn. In the parsed data, Buddy Robinson is connected to 39 scenes, 14 dialogue lines, 14 text mentions, first appearing around scene 28.
39 scenes / 14 dialogue linesFrank Quinn is listed as Supporting. Owner of the Quinn Funeral Home, a salesman with a past in Chicago. In the parsed data, Frank Quinn is connected to 35 scenes, 12 dialogue lines, 13 text mentions, first appearing around scene 28.
35 scenes / 12 dialogue linesMattie Darrow is listed as Supporting. A woman from Bush's past, piano teacher. In the parsed data, Mattie Darrow is connected to 18 scenes, 8 dialogue lines, 8 text mentions, first appearing around scene 39.
18 scenes / 8 dialogue linesReverend Charlie Jackson is listed as Supporting. A preacher from Illinois who knows Bush's past. In the parsed data, Reverend Charlie Jackson is connected to 14 scenes, 13 dialogue lines, 14 text mentions, first appearing around scene 60.
14 scenes / 13 dialogue linesKathryn Robinson is listed as Supporting. Buddy's wife. In the parsed data, Kathryn Robinson is connected to 14 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 58.
14 scenes / 1 dialogue linesReverend Gus Horton is listed as Supporting. A local preacher. In the parsed data, Reverend Gus Horton is connected to 9 scenes, 26 dialogue lines, 27 text mentions, first appearing around scene 8.
9 scenes / 26 dialogue linesTom is listed as Minor. A young boy, son of Bonnie. In the parsed data, Tom is connected to 6 scenes, first appearing around scene 2.
6 scenes / 0 dialogue linesCarl is listed as Antagonist. A local man with a grudge against Bush. In the parsed data, Carl is connected to 3 scenes, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 18.
3 scenes / 0 dialogue linesGary is listed as Minor. Carl's sidekick. In the parsed data, Gary is connected to 2 scenes, first appearing around scene 18.
2 scenes / 0 dialogue linesRay is listed as Minor. A local banker. In the parsed data, Ray is connected to 1 scene, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 36.
1 scenes / 0 dialogue linesBonnie is listed as Minor. Tom's mother. In the parsed data, Bonnie is connected to 1 scene, first appearing around scene 18.
1 scenes / 0 dialogue linesA man escapes a burning house.
A rock shatters a window.
TomTom flees from the shack.
TomTom hides in the barn and encounters Bush.
Felix Bush, TomBush watches Tom leave.
Felix Bush, TomBush comforts his mule.
Felix BushBush posts a new sign.
Felix BushBush encounters Reverend Horton.
Felix Bush, Reverend Gus HortonBush visits Wiley Starke's grave.
Felix BushBush falls ill.
Felix BushBush struggles to reach the barn.
Felix BushBush collapses in the barn.
Felix BushBush recovers.
Felix BushBush prepares the wagon.
Felix BushBush travels to town.
Felix BushBush visits the chapel.
Felix Bush, Reverend Gus Horton, Buddy Robinson, Kathryn RobinsonBush leaves the church.
Felix Bush, Reverend Gus Horton, Buddy Robinson, Kathryn RobinsonBush confronts Carl.
Felix Bush, Tom, Bonnie, Carl, GaryFrank and Buddy discuss business.
Buddy Robinson, Frank QuinnFrank and Buddy drive to Bush's shack.
Buddy Robinson, Frank QuinnBuddy confronts Bush.
Felix Bush, Buddy RobinsonBuddy and Bush talk.
Felix Bush, Buddy RobinsonBuddy leaves.
Felix Bush, Buddy RobinsonBush prepares medicine.
Felix BushFrank is on the phone.
Frank QuinnBush visits the funeral home.
Felix Bush, Buddy Robinson, Frank QuinnBush discusses funeral plans.
Felix Bush, Buddy Robinson, Frank QuinnBush, Frank, and Buddy discuss the logistics of a funeral party while Bush is still alive.
Felix Bush, Buddy Robinson, Frank QuinnBush encounters Mattie Darrow outside the funeral home.
Felix Bush, Buddy Robinson, Frank Quinn, Mattie Darrow, Kathryn RobinsonFrank and Buddy discuss the encounter with Mattie and the money.
Buddy Robinson, Frank QuinnMattie and Kathryn discuss Bush's past.
Mattie Darrow, Kathryn RobinsonFrank and Buddy approach Bush with a plan.
Felix Bush, Buddy Robinson, Frank QuinnFrank, Buddy, and Bush ride in the hearse.
Felix Bush, Buddy Robinson, Frank QuinnBush gets a haircut for his funeral preparations.
Felix Bush, Buddy Robinson, Frank QuinnBush is fitted for a suit.
Felix Bush, Buddy Robinson, Frank QuinnA poker game with local figures.
Frank Quinn, Reverend Gus Horton, Mattie Darrow, Carl, RayBush is interviewed on the radio.
Felix Bush, Buddy Robinson, Frank QuinnBush and Mattie visit the grave site near his shack.
Felix Bush, Mattie DarrowBush and Mattie walk through the woods and discuss their lives.
Felix Bush, Mattie DarrowMattie and Bush have supper and discuss their pasts, leading to a discovery.
Felix Bush, Mattie DarrowFrank and Buddy discover the influx of money from the funeral project.
Buddy Robinson, Frank QuinnBush, Frank, and Buddy discuss the money and the future.
Felix Bush, Buddy Robinson, Frank QuinnBuddy discusses the money and his moral concerns with his wife, Kathryn.
Buddy Robinson, Kathryn RobinsonMattie sits with her piano and memories.
Mattie DarrowBush and Buddy depart on a trip with the money.
Felix Bush, Buddy RobinsonFrank is overwhelmed by the mail and media attention.
Frank QuinnFrank visits Mattie to ask for help with the mail.
Frank Quinn, Mattie DarrowBush and Buddy arrive at a church in Illinois to meet Reverend Charlie Jackson.
Felix Bush, Buddy Robinson, Reverend Charlie JacksonBush and Buddy return; Bush leaves the hearse abruptly.
Felix Bush, Buddy RobinsonBuddy is attacked while hiding the money.
Buddy RobinsonBush visits a grave.
Felix BushFrank finds Buddy injured.
Buddy Robinson, Frank QuinnBush arrives at Mattie's house seeking shelter.
Felix Bush, Mattie DarrowMattie confronts Bush about his past and his involvement in Mary's death, leading to a tense standoff.
Felix Bush, Mattie DarrowMattie tends to a collapsed Bush, who then leaves with his shotgun.
Felix Bush, Mattie DarrowBush confronts Frank at the funeral home about the money and Buddy's condition.
Felix Bush, Frank QuinnBush and Frank discuss calling off the funeral party.
Felix Bush, Frank QuinnFrank visits Buddy to discuss Bush's decision to pull out of the party.
Buddy Robinson, Frank Quinn, Kathryn RobinsonMattie struggles with her emotions while gardening.
Mattie DarrowFrank visits Charlie to convince him to attend the funeral.
Frank Quinn, Reverend Charlie JacksonBush struggles with his health while working on his casket.
Felix Bush, Buddy RobinsonFrank and Charlie arrive at Buddy's house to prepare for the funeral.
Buddy Robinson, Frank Quinn, Reverend Charlie JacksonThe funeral party setup begins with a large crowd gathering.
Buddy Robinson, Frank Quinn, Reverend Charlie JacksonBush asks Charlie to tell his story if he cannot.
Felix Bush, Reverend Charlie JacksonThe funeral party begins, and Bush arrives with Carl and Gary at gunpoint.
Felix Bush, Buddy Robinson, Frank Quinn, Reverend Gus Horton, Tom, CarlBush is treated for his gunshot wound.
Felix Bush, Buddy Robinson, Frank Quinn, Reverend Charlie JacksonKathryn waits near the porch with the baby.
Kathryn RobinsonReverend Horton leads a prayer for the crowd.
Reverend Gus HortonBush prepares to face the crowd while Frank and Buddy assist him.
Felix Bush, Buddy Robinson, Frank Quinn, Reverend Charlie JacksonThe crowd waits while a band plays.
Bush and Charlie prepare to leave the shack.
Felix Bush, Buddy Robinson, Frank Quinn, Reverend Charlie JacksonBush and Charlie walk toward the stage.
Felix Bush, Buddy Robinson, Frank Quinn, Kathryn Robinson, Reverend Charlie JacksonBush and Charlie take the stage; Charlie speaks for Bush.
Felix Bush, Buddy Robinson, Frank Quinn, Reverend Gus Horton, Mattie Darrow, Kathryn RobinsonFlashback to the fire.
Felix BushBush finishes his confession to Mattie.
Felix Bush, Buddy Robinson, Frank Quinn, Mattie Darrow, Kathryn RobinsonMattie comforts Bush.
Felix Bush, Mattie DarrowThe funeral party breaks up.
The group prepares to leave.
Felix Bush, Buddy Robinson, Frank Quinn, Reverend Gus Horton, Mattie Darrow, Kathryn RobinsonTwo months later, the funeral for Bush.
Felix Bush, Buddy Robinson, Frank Quinn, Reverend Gus Horton, Mattie Darrow, Kathryn RobinsonThe group discusses the will.
Buddy Robinson, Frank Quinn, Mattie Darrow, Kathryn Robinson, Reverend Charlie JacksonI found her in the bedroom. She was crawling across the floor. But before I could get to her and help her up.. a kerosene lamp hit the wall. And then her husband jumped on my back. Funny what happens sometimes when things go wrong. It's like the clock stops and you have all the time in the world to think. I could see that her husband had set the downstairs on fire before he came up.
Lord, you say you move in mysterious ways and we believe you because we don't understand much of anything. And so we come to you today not seeking answers to what's happened here but asking you to help us open our hearts a little more to each other and find some forgiveness and understanding.
Wherever you are, you're probably giving someone a hard time or something wonderful and priceless just to confuse them. Not everything can be figured out, nor everybody. I wish you peace from the burdens of your mind and heart. I wish it for us all.
She was married! And she wasn't just my sister, she was my best friend. We told each other everything. I can't.. how long did it go on?!
Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen. I'm Frank Quinn of Quinn Funeral Home. Welcome to the live funeral party of Mr. Felix Bush!
The day of the party he told me about the will he had in the secret drawer of his table. He left the raffle money to all of us.
I'm gonna try and tell it, Charlie, I really am. But if I can't get it done, would you do it? I want it said. Please, sir.
Uh, well, Mr. Wiley Starke has passed on, sir. His funeral is tomorrow and I thought you might want to know since..
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