Save the Cat rankings

LITTLE MEN script analysis

LITTLE MEN script - Save the Cat beat sheet analysis

After Jake’s grandfather dies, Jake and his neighbor Tony form a friendship that bridges their feuding families. As business and parental conflicts escalate, the boys must confront family loyalty and find their own path forward.

75 Save the Cat fit score 72% analysis confidence / 73 parsed scenes

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1

Opening Image

Scene 1 / Page 1 / 1% target

60%

Introduces Jake’s classroom life and his artistic temperament under Mr. Plummer’s reprimand.

What is going on here?!
2

Theme Stated

Scene 3 / Page 1 / 5% target

65%

Pilar hints at family fragility when she tells Jake his grandfather is sick, foreshadowing loss and resilience.

3

Set-Up

Scenes 1-5 / Pages 1-2 / 10% target

68%

Establishes Jake’s relationship with his mom, his attachment to his grandfather, and introduces Tony’s family store.

4

Catalyst

Scene 5 / Page 2 / 12% target

80%

Jake learns of his grandfather’s death, upending his world and setting the story in motion.

5

Debate

Scenes 6-11 / Pages 2-4 / 20% target

70%

Jake hesitates about connecting with Tony amidst family mourning and the new dynamic between their families.

6

Break into Two

Scene 20 / Page 7 / 25% target

75%

At the backyard cookout, Jake and Tony cross the threshold from neighbors to friends, entering the story’s “upside down” world.

7

B Story

Scene 33 / Page 11 / 30% target

60%

Brian’s acting audition subplot mirrors Jake and Tony’s journey about identity and approval.

More seductive, you mean.
8

Fun and Games

Scenes 26-32 / Pages 9-10 / 40% target

72%

Jake and Tony explore Brooklyn, get into mischief and experience kid adventures together.

Maybe you can give me some directions?
9

Midpoint

Scene 35 / Page 12 / 50% target

78%

Brian and Leonor’s heated lease argument raises stakes: the families’ conflict hits its emotional center.

I was more his family, if you want to know, than you were.
10

Bad Guys Close In

Scene 37 / Page 13 / 65% target

74%

Brian forces Tony to leave, straining the boys’ friendship and heightening external pressure.

Tony, you need to go home now. We can talk about acting another time.
11

All Is Lost

Scene 44 / Page 15 / 75% target

76%

Jake and Tony vow to stop talking to their parents, feeling utterly defeated by the adult conflict.

Our parents are involved in a business matter and it's getting ugly. So they're taking it out on...
12

Dark Night of the Soul

Scene 57 / Page 19 / 80% target

70%

A silent subway ride underscores the boys’ isolation and despair as nothing seems salvageable.

13

Break into Three

Scene 67 / Page 22 / 85% target

80%

Jake proposes a plan to save Leonor’s store, reigniting hope and action.

I have a great idea. We go back to our old apartment, and we rent this place and...
14

Finale

Scenes 69-73 / Pages 23-25 / 95% target

75%

In the museum reunion and family reconciliations, generations heal as Jake and Tony’s friendship inspires parental understanding.

15

Final Image

Scene 73 / Page 25 / 99% target

68%

Jake and Tony’s joyful reunion in the stairwell reflects the opening classroom chaos resolved into personal growth.

Jake! Your hair looks different.