2002
Former SWAT negotiator Jeff Talley, haunted by a past failed hostage situation, now serves as a small-town police chief. His quiet life is shattered when three young criminals, Dennis and Kevin Rooney and the sadistic Mars Krupchek, botch a minimarket robbery and take the Smith family hostage in their secluded home. Unbeknownst to the hostage-takers, the Smith family patriarch, Walter, is an accountant for organized crime and possesses crucial computer disks hidden in his house. As Talley attempts to negotiate with the volatile Dennis, a powerful crime boss, Sonny Benza, sends his enforcers, led by Glen Howell, to retrieve the disks, kidnapping Talley's estranged wife and daughter to force his cooperation.
Save the Cat beat sheet
Police negotiator Jeff Talley tries to save a family held hostage by three robbers in their suburban home.
Open full beat sheetMars Krupchek is listed as Hostage Taker. Twenty-four, large, shaved head, deeply disturbed, sadistic. In the parsed data, Mars Krupchek is connected to 22 scenes, 16 dialogue lines, 16 text mentions, first appearing around scene 4.
22 scenes / 16 dialogue linesDennis Rooney is listed as Hostage Taker. Twenty-three, working-class, volatile, obsessed with money. In the parsed data, Dennis Rooney is connected to 20 scenes, 44 dialogue lines, 45 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
20 scenes / 44 dialogue linesJeff Talley is listed as Chief of Police / Former SWAT Negotiator. Haggard, experienced, haunted by a past failed hostage situation. In the parsed data, Jeff Talley is connected to 19 scenes, 50 dialogue lines, 51 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
19 scenes / 50 dialogue linesThomas Smith is listed as Hostage. Ten, Walter's son. In the parsed data, Thomas Smith is connected to 19 scenes, 10 dialogue lines, 10 text mentions, first appearing around scene 23.
19 scenes / 10 dialogue linesKevin Rooney is listed as Hostage Taker. Nineteen, Dennis's brother, reluctant participant. In the parsed data, Kevin Rooney is connected to 13 scenes, 7 dialogue lines, 7 text mentions, first appearing around scene 4.
13 scenes / 7 dialogue linesJennifer Smith is listed as Hostage. Sixteen, Walter's daughter. In the parsed data, Jennifer Smith is connected to 11 scenes, 15 dialogue lines, 15 text mentions, first appearing around scene 4.
11 scenes / 15 dialogue linesWalter Smith is listed as Hostage / Accountant. Forty, fit, accountant for organized crime. In the parsed data, Walter Smith is connected to 5 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 3.
5 scenes / 1 dialogue linesGlen Howell is listed as Criminal Operative. Professional, cold, working for Sonny Benza. In the parsed data, Glen Howell is connected to 3 scenes, 4 dialogue lines, 4 text mentions, first appearing around scene 19.
3 scenes / 4 dialogue linesMarion Clewes is listed as Hitman. Ordinary appearance, sociopathic, works for Castellano. In the parsed data, Marion Clewes is connected to 3 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 17.
3 scenes / 3 dialogue linesAmanda Talley is listed as Jeff Talley's Daughter. Fifteen, rebellious. In the parsed data, Amanda Talley is connected to 1 scene, first appearing around scene 55.
1 scenes / 0 dialogue linesJane Talley is listed as Jeff Talley's Wife. Registered nurse, estranged from Jeff. In the parsed data, Jane Talley is connected to 1 scene, first appearing around scene 55.
1 scenes / 0 dialogue linesVictor Castellano is listed as New York Crime Boss. Powerful, ruthless, oversees Benza. In the parsed data, Victor Castellano is connected to 1 scene, first appearing around scene 54.
1 scenes / 0 dialogue linesSonny Benza is listed as Crime Boss. Palm Springs based, ruthless. In the parsed data, Sonny Benza is connected to 1 text mention.
0 scenes / 0 dialogue linesA SWAT standoff at a bungalow ends in tragedy when the hostage taker kills his wife and son before committing suicide.
Jeff TalleyThe Rooney brothers and Mars Krupchek attempt to rob a minimarket, resulting in the death of the owner.
Dennis Rooney, Mars Krupchek, Kevin RooneyThe suspects invade the Smith home and take the family hostage after their getaway truck breaks down.
Dennis Rooney, Mars Krupchek, Kevin Rooney, Walter Smith, Jennifer Smith, Thomas SmithJennifer retrieves ice and a washcloth while Mars intimidates her; she attempts to hide a knife.
Jennifer Smith, Kevin Rooney, Mars KrupchekDennis answers the phone and negotiates with Talley.
Dennis Rooney, Walter SmithTalley negotiates with Dennis over the phone.
Jeff Talley, Dennis RooneyDennis, Mars, and Kevin enter the garage and discuss an escape plan involving burning the house.
Dennis Rooney, Mars Krupchek, Kevin RooneyThomas observes the intruders from the crawlspace.
Dennis Rooney, Mars Krupchek, Kevin Rooney, Thomas SmithThomas descends into the laundry room and retrieves his sister's purse.
Thomas SmithThomas attempts to reach a pistol case on a high shelf.
Thomas SmithDennis threatens Kevin over the money and the plan to burn the house.
Dennis Rooney, Kevin RooneyDennis spots the SWAT team on monitors and panics.
Dennis RooneyDennis fires shots at the police outside.
Dennis Rooney, Mars Krupchek, Kevin RooneyThomas abandons the gun case and flees.
Thomas SmithThomas escapes into the ceiling as gunshots echo.
Thomas SmithTalley reacts to the gunfire and urges the police to pull back.
Jeff TalleyTalley tries to get information from an unconscious Walter Smith while Klaus and Bigelow resist his interference.
Jeff Talley, Walter Smith, Marion ClewesTalley gives orders to Metzger, receives a call from Anders about the investigation, and attempts to contact the house via PA.
Jeff Talley, Dennis RooneyHowell learns Smith is in the hospital and orders a hit.
Glen HowellTalley coordinates with Thomas to find the computer disks.
Jeff Talley, Thomas SmithTalley convinces Martin to provide tactical support.
Jeff TalleyDennis and Kevin discuss their situation while Mars interrupts.
Dennis Rooney, Mars Krupchek, Kevin RooneyThomas retrieves the disks.
Thomas SmithTalley initiates a distraction to allow Thomas to move.
Jeff TalleyThomas finds the disks while Mars searches the room.
Mars Krupchek, Thomas SmithTalley negotiates with Dennis.
Jeff Talley, Dennis RooneyThomas identifies the disks as belonging to Sonny Benza.
Jeff Talley, Thomas SmithTalley arrives at the hospital; Marion Clewes is spotted.
Jeff Talley, Marion ClewesTalley speaks with a recovering Walter Smith.
Jeff Talley, Walter SmithTalley receives a call from the Watchman.
Jeff TalleyDennis and Kevin fight; Kevin decides to leave.
Dennis Rooney, Mars Krupchek, Kevin RooneyKevin offers to help Jennifer and Thomas escape.
Kevin Rooney, Jennifer SmithKevin encounters Mars.
Mars Krupchek, Kevin RooneyTalley meets the phony FBI team.
Jeff TalleyOfficers discover evidence of Mars's crimes.
Mars KrupchekDennis discovers Kevin has left and sends Mars to check on the kids.
Dennis Rooney, Mars KrupchekThomas retrieves a gun from the hobby room.
Thomas Smith, Dennis RooneyThomas discovers Kevin's body.
Thomas Smith, Kevin RooneyMars confronts Jennifer and attacks her.
Jennifer Smith, Mars KrupchekDennis hears the scream and investigates.
Dennis RooneyDennis finds Kevin's body and realizes Mars is the killer.
Dennis Rooney, Kevin RooneyDennis confronts Mars, but Mars uses Jennifer as a shield.
Dennis Rooney, Mars Krupchek, Jennifer SmithMars attacks Dennis.
Dennis Rooney, Mars KrupchekThomas intervenes to save Jennifer.
Thomas Smith, Mars Krupchek, Jennifer SmithThomas tries to shoot Mars, but the gun is empty.
Thomas Smith, Mars Krupchek, Jennifer SmithJennifer and Thomas escape down the stairs.
Jennifer Smith, Thomas Smith, Mars KrupchekJennifer and Thomas run into the safe room.
Jennifer Smith, Thomas Smith, Mars KrupchekMars sets the house on fire.
Jennifer Smith, Thomas Smith, Mars KrupchekTalley receives a call from Thomas and decides to intervene.
Jeff Talley, Thomas SmithMars prepares for the final confrontation.
Mars KrupchekTalley and Jones confront Mars.
Jeff Talley, Mars KrupchekTalley returns the disks to Walter.
Jeff Talley, Walter Smith, Jennifer Smith, Thomas SmithTalley calls Howell to negotiate for his family.
Jeff Talley, Glen HowellCastellano discusses the situation with his assistant.
Victor CastellanoTalley confronts Howell and rescues his family.
Jeff Talley, Glen Howell, Marion Clewes, Jane Talley, Amanda TalleyNothing's worse than listening to you. I'm warning you, Kevin--stop holding me back. Now you pick up that fuckin' money and get ready to go.
The man you sent to the hospital is a criminal. He has partners. This is their house and their money and they want it back.
Goddamnit, tell me what you know. Did the cops go in? Did Smith have the disks?
Everything we're doing is making it worse. You can't let him burn this house.
Mommy won't know. You can do anything you want right now. Mommy won't know.
Maybe that's what I'm doing. Can I reach in my pocket, show you something?
There's a million dollars in there, maybe two million. I'll give you half.
How about your two friends? You don't have a man dying in there, do you?
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