1993
Maurice Parker, a Philadelphia bookstore owner, embarks on a cross-country walk to Pacifica, California, consumed by grief and regret after his wife Ellen's sudden death, believing she once mentioned a book about a man who walked for love. Despite facing an assault, police suspicion, a serious leg injury, and pressure to abandon his quest for a marketing deal, Maurice escapes the hospital with a nurse's help, determined to complete his pilgrimage. His journey gains public attention and the support of his assistant Kris, now an aspiring journalist, but as Maurice nears his destination, his health deteriorates, and he is confronted by his niece Adelle and the police. With Kris's support and Adelle's eventual understanding, Maurice reaches the Pacifica beach, collapses at the water's edge, and peacefully passes away, having completed his labor of love for Ellen.
Save the Cat beat sheet
Widowed Maurice Parker embarks on an epic cross–country walk to honor his late wife Ellen, confronting physical, emotional, and societal obstacles.
Open full beat sheetMaurice Parker is listed as Protagonist. A bookstore owner in his late forties, neatly combed hair, grieving the loss of his wife. In the parsed data, Maurice Parker is connected to 54 scenes, 80 dialogue lines, 81 text mentions, first appearing around scene 11.
54 scenes / 80 dialogue linesAdelle Matlin is listed as Maurice's Niece. Early thirties, very attractive, psychologist. In the parsed data, Adelle Matlin is connected to 16 scenes, 16 dialogue lines, 16 text mentions, first appearing around scene 18.
16 scenes / 16 dialogue linesOfficer Pierce is listed as Police Officer. Police officer at the accident scene. In the parsed data, Officer Pierce is connected to 12 scenes, 27 dialogue lines, 27 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
12 scenes / 27 dialogue linesKris Reddy is listed as Assistant Manager / Journalist. Young man, early twenties, works at Parker Books, aspiring journalist. In the parsed data, Kris Reddy is connected to 12 scenes, 23 dialogue lines, 23 text mentions, first appearing around scene 14.
12 scenes / 23 dialogue linesEllen Parker is listed as Deceased Wife. A woman in her forties with a heart-warming smile and wise glint in her eyes. In the parsed data, Ellen Parker is connected to 9 scenes, 13 dialogue lines, 14 text mentions, first appearing around scene 3.
9 scenes / 13 dialogue linesStephanie is listed as Nurse. Nurse at St. Vincent's Hospital. In the parsed data, Stephanie is connected to 8 scenes, 13 dialogue lines, 14 text mentions, first appearing around scene 42.
8 scenes / 13 dialogue linesGerald is listed as Adelle's Husband. Adelle's husband. In the parsed data, Gerald is connected to 7 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 9.
7 scenes / 3 dialogue linesOfficer Dana is listed as Police Officer. Police officer at the accident scene. In the parsed data, Officer Dana is connected to 4 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 1.
4 scenes / 1 dialogue linesFather Berchman is listed as Priest. Priest who helps Maurice in the Midwest. In the parsed data, Father Berchman is connected to 3 scenes, 15 dialogue lines, 15 text mentions, first appearing around scene 38.
3 scenes / 15 dialogue linesDr. Ray is listed as Surgeon. Doctor at St. Vincent's Hospital. In the parsed data, Dr. Ray is connected to 2 scenes, 7 dialogue lines, 8 text mentions, first appearing around scene 42.
2 scenes / 7 dialogue linesAngelo is listed as Baker. Large man, black slicked hair, owner of Angelo's Bakery. In the parsed data, Angelo is connected to 2 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 54.
2 scenes / 1 dialogue linesCarl Stone is listed as Business Associate. Large black man, helps Maurice with the new store. In the parsed data, Carl Stone is connected to 2 scenes, first appearing around scene 8.
2 scenes / 0 dialogue linesClaude is listed as Pet. African Grey Parrot. In the parsed data, Claude is connected to 2 scenes, first appearing around scene 3.
2 scenes / 0 dialogue linesDr. Royce is listed as Doctor. Maurice's doctor. In the parsed data, Dr. Royce is connected to 2 scenes, first appearing around scene 12.
2 scenes / 0 dialogue linesJoselle is listed as AAA Clerk. Hip young woman with a headband. In the parsed data, Joselle is connected to 2 scenes, first appearing around scene 13.
2 scenes / 0 dialogue linesA fatal car accident involving a silver Cadillac and a green Honda Prelude occurs on a highway. Police officers Pierce and Dana discuss the victim, Ellen Parker, and the perpetrator, a seventeen-year-old driver.
Officer Pierce, Officer DanaEllen Parker visits the bakery to buy raisin bread, maintaining her daily routine.
Ellen Parker, AngeloEllen and Maurice have breakfast. Maurice is confused about a bouquet of flowers, leading to a tense conversation about their relationship.
Maurice Parker, Ellen Parker, ClaudeMaurice and Ellen open the bookstore. Kris Reddy arrives for work. Maurice is irritated by local children stealing books.
Maurice Parker, Ellen Parker, Kris ReddyMaurice and Ellen discuss opening a new store. A disagreement over their relationship leads to Ellen leaving the restaurant.
Maurice Parker, Ellen ParkerMaurice polishes a Book Society award in bed while Ellen sleeps, highlighting their emotional distance.
Maurice Parker, Ellen ParkerMaurice attempts to cook breakfast for Ellen to reconcile. They share a tender moment.
Maurice Parker, Ellen ParkerMaurice and Carl Stone visit the future site of the new bookstore. Maurice is filled with excitement.
Maurice Parker, Carl StoneA celebration at Maurice's house is interrupted by the news of Ellen's death in a car accident.
Maurice Parker, Adelle Matlin, GeraldMaurice grieves by holding Ellen's clothes.
Maurice ParkerMaurice talks to an elderly couple about love and marriage.
Maurice ParkerMaurice asks Dr. Royce about the physical limits of walking.
Maurice Parker, Dr. RoyceMaurice asks Joselle about the distance from Philadelphia to California.
Maurice Parker, JoselleMaurice talks to Kris about his aspirations and reveals he is walking to California.
Maurice Parker, Kris ReddyMaurice prepares to leave and finds his pet bird dead.
Maurice Parker, ClaudeMaurice visits the harbor and remembers meeting Ellen.
Maurice Parker, Ellen ParkerKris encounters Maurice walking on the road.
Maurice Parker, Kris ReddyAdelle expresses concern about Maurice's disappearance.
Adelle Matlin, GeraldMaurice is assaulted by a group of men.
Maurice ParkerOfficer Grey checks Maurice's ID and reports his assault to Philadelphia police.
Maurice Parker, Officer PierceSergeant Dally receives news about Maurice and instructs an officer to contact Adelle.
Adelle Matlin, GeraldKris Reddy overhears the police transmission and maps Maurice's journey.
Kris ReddyAdelle arrives to pick up Maurice.
Maurice Parker, Adelle Matlin, Officer PierceAdelle tries to convince Maurice to stop his walk.
Maurice Parker, Adelle MatlinAdelle drives Maurice home; he is unresponsive.
Maurice Parker, Adelle MatlinMaurice spots a truck from his journey while Adelle makes a phone call.
Maurice Parker, Adelle MatlinAdelle and Gerald discover a homeless man in the car instead of Maurice.
Adelle Matlin, GeraldMaurice is back on the road and finds an injured bird.
Maurice ParkerFlashback to Ellen nursing an injured bird.
Maurice Parker, Ellen ParkerMaurice tends to the bird.
Maurice ParkerAdelle argues on the phone about Maurice.
Adelle Matlin, GeraldMaurice continues his walk in pain.
Maurice ParkerMaurice walks as it begins to snow.
Maurice ParkerMaurice witnesses a car accident and saves the passengers.
Maurice ParkerMaurice eats with police officers who are suspicious of him.
Maurice Parker, Officer Pierce, Officer DanaMaurice escapes the police car.
Maurice Parker, Officer Pierce, Officer DanaMaurice is helped by Father Berchman.
Maurice Parker, Father BerchmanMaurice says goodbye to Father Berchman and continues his journey on foot.
Maurice Parker, Father BerchmanMaurice arrives at the Caldwell home and is recognized by the family.
Maurice Parker, Carl Stone, Dr. Royce, JoselleMaurice tells a story to Isaac.
Maurice ParkerMaurice leaves the Caldwells after trading his watch for money.
Maurice ParkerMaurice wakes up in the hospital and learns about his condition.
Maurice Parker, Adelle Matlin, Gerald, Stephanie, Dr. RayA man posing as a priest approaches Maurice.
Maurice ParkerA priest attempts to bribe Maurice with a marketing deal from Reebok, leading to an emotional confrontation.
Maurice Parker, Father BerchmanStephanie discovers news of Maurice's hospitalization.
Maurice Parker, StephanieMaurice reunites with Kris Reddy.
Maurice Parker, Kris Reddy, StephanieKris tries to convince Maurice to stop his journey and get surgery.
Maurice Parker, Kris ReddyMaurice observes Stephanie's kindness to a young patient.
Maurice Parker, StephanieMaurice convinces Stephanie to help him escape.
Maurice Parker, StephanieStephanie helps Maurice escape the hospital.
Maurice Parker, StephanieMaurice and Stephanie narrowly avoid detection in the elevator.
Maurice Parker, StephanieMaurice returns to the site of his accident.
Maurice Parker, StephanieAdelle confronts the hospital staff about Maurice's disappearance.
Kris Reddy, Adelle Matlin, Gerald, Officer PiercePolice and Kris search for Maurice.
Kris ReddyMaurice hides in a homeless shelter.
Maurice ParkerEmory and Adelle discuss the search for Maurice.
Adelle Matlin, Officer PierceMaurice is spotted on the freeway and cheered on by drivers.
Maurice ParkerPolice receive word that Maurice has been found.
Adelle Matlin, Officer PierceMaurice reaches the final stretch of his journey.
Maurice Parker, Kris ReddyMaurice sees a banner from students.
Maurice ParkerFlashback to Maurice and Ellen discussing heaven.
Maurice Parker, Ellen ParkerMaurice reaches his destination.
Maurice Parker, Kris Reddy, Adelle MatlinAdelle tries to convince a wounded Maurice to go to the hospital, but he insists on finishing his journey for Ellen. Kris supports Maurice, and Adelle eventually stands up to police officers to protect him.
Maurice Parker, Kris Reddy, Adelle Matlin, Officer Pierce, Officer DanaMaurice reaches the beach barricades. Officer Gantz, moved by Maurice's appearance, opens the barricade to let him through.
Maurice Parker, Kris Reddy, Adelle Matlin, Officer PierceMaurice reaches the water, falls to his knees, and passes away peacefully while watching a white dove.
Maurice ParkerLet me tell you a story Sergeant. There was a patient of mine who had a Golden Retriever, Mac... She loved Mac, not like a pet, but like a family member. One day, she had to leave Mac with 'friends', and wouldn't you know it, Mac gets away and ends up falling into a sewer. My patient comes back -- goes nuts when she hears that Mac has been in the sewer for over 48 hours. Apparently the cop who found the dog didn't want to get his pants dirty. And neither did anyone else. So of course, my patient decides to go in after it... she falls... breaks her hip and lands next to her dead dog, who died of toxic fumes down there...
The Doors, the musical group. I saw a documentary where the police stopped one of their concerts, snatched Jim Morrison right off the stage... the crowd went frickin nuts -- they tore up the place -- it turned into a war. ... I'm not stopping this concert by myself. And there's no way you're getting backup here -- it's jammed up for miles.
Imagine grainy black and white shots of long stretches of highway -- quick cuts with a slow pounding beat underneath... Then we see a man walking up a steep incline -- it's you Maurice. We see shots of you walking. Cut. Cut. Cut. Fast... Music crescendoes -- Bham! Close up -- and you say... 'Reebok, Because There's Nothing You Can't Do.'
We ran a C.T. and an M.R.I. We found bleeding in your brain. Your collapse was caused by "Transient Cerebral-Ischemia"... a sudden loss of blood circulation to the brain. In other words, Mr. Parker, you had a mild stroke.
When I was ten, my family lived in Pacifica for a year. I used to go to the beach everyday that summer. I never felt so happy, carefree. It was a magic place for me... That's where my heaven will be.
They told me, you might try to talk me into something... You need to rest Mr. Parker... It's for your own good. I've been following your story for a long while. It's a beautiful thing you did.
I'm not proving to her. I'm showing her. And I know I don't have to. I want to. I've realized, love is about giving. I'm alive, I can still give to her. I want to give her everything I can.
How does a grown man who can barely walk, just stroll out?... This is not James Bond here, this is my uncle who owns a bookstore, and gets outwitted by grade school kids pulling pranks!
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