Save the Cat rankings

LE DIABLE PAR LA QUEUE script analysis

LE DIABLE PAR LA QUEUE script - Save the Cat beat sheet analysis

A financially strapped aristocratic family scrambles to attract paying guests to their dilapidated chateau. They enlist Charlie to sabotage visitors’ cars, inadvertently trapping a suave bandit, César, who charms the family and disrupts their schemes. Romance blossoms between Amélie and Charlie while the Marquise masterminds comedic heist traps. In the end, César integrates into the household, revitalizing the estate.

75 Save the Cat fit score 22% analysis confidence / 93 parsed scenes

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1

Opening Image

Scene 1 / Page 1 / 1% target

10%

Introduces the stormy, dilapidated chateau setting and the count and valet inspecting leaks, establishing tone.

2

Theme Stated

Scene 6 / 5% target

15%

The family’s dire finances and need for guests is declared: they ‘pull the devil by the tail.’

Parlons-en de nos comptes : nous tirons le diable par la queue !
3

Set-Up

Scenes 2-6 / 10% target

18%

Amélie cooks while Martial arrives; family serves food; Georges watches as sisters make a bed; they discuss money and need for visitors.

4

Catalyst

Scene 8 / 12% target

20%

Charlie sabotages Jean-Jacques’ car to force him and Cookie to stay, kick-starting the plot.

5

Debate

Scenes 9-10 / 20% target

17%

Jean-Jacques and Cookie arrive; Diane shows them separate rooms and flirts, raising doubts about hospitality.

6

Break into Two

Scene 13 / 25% target

20%

Georges and Diane acknowledge they need more guests: ‘Vous voyez bien qu'il nous faut du passage.’

Vous voyez bien, Georges, qu'il nous faut du passage.
7

B Story

Scene 7 / 30% target

18%

Amélie’s plea to Charlie to bring guests sets up their budding relationship.

Primo, tu m'emmerdes, deuxio, je travaille !
8

Fun and Games

Scenes 20-21 / 40% target

19%

César arrives with accomplices, flirts and dances with Diane and Cookie, showcasing comedic seduction.

9

Midpoint

Scene 38 / 50% target

21%

César appears at the window and directly addresses Amélie, shifting from guests to romantic intrigue.

Mademoiselle Amélie ! Petite nymphe lumineuse !
10

Bad Guys Close In

Scene 25 / 65% target

20%

César’s crew quarrels over missing loot, intensifying pressure on the family’s plans.

Il manque une liasse...
11

All Is Lost

Scene 43 / 75% target

22%

During the police chase the thieves’ car ends up in a pond, symbolizing collapse of their schemes.

12

Dark Night of the Soul

Scene 49 / 80% target

18%

Family returns to chateau to find police cordon, exclaiming ‘we’re ruined,’ confronting ultimate despair.

Ça y est, mes enfants, on est refait !
13

Break into Three

Scene 70 / 85% target

17%

César leaves with his briefcase, signaling the start of the final push to resolve conflicts.

14

Finale

Scene 84 / 95% target

20%

The family warmly welcomes César back into the fold, uniting characters and themes.

L'amour l'emporte ! Et je n'y avais pas pensé !
15

Final Image

Scene 93 / 99% target

15%

Aerial view of the fully renovated chateau reflects restored fortune and harmony.