1991
Soprano Joan Spruance navigates criticism from her ex-husband and the ransacking of her apartment, suspecting either him or a mysterious dog trainer, Harry Bliss, while her sister Andy's involvement with dangerous billionaire Red Layls brings further harassment. Harry, secretly married, begins a romance with Joan and trains his dog Duke to protect her, but their relationship is complicated by his continued involvement with Layls and the search for a document after Joan and her friend are attacked. Joan discovers Harry's marriage while attempting to help Andy escape Layls, leading to their breakup, though Harry continues to pursue Joan, confronting her and a choir member on a dirt road. The film concludes with Joan's ex-husband conducting the chorus, leaving Joan's future unresolved.
Save the Cat beat sheet
Joan Spruance, a chorus singer, faces a series of threatening incidents at her apartment while reconnecting with security expert Harry Bliss.
Open full beat sheetJoan Spruance is listed as Soprano / Protagonist. A woman in the process of a divorce, currently feeling vulnerable and paranoid. In the parsed data, Joan Spruance is connected to 68 scenes, 133 dialogue lines, 133 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
68 scenes / 133 dialogue linesEugene Earl Axline is listed as Dog Trainer / Security. A man living under an alias, running a dog security business. In the parsed data, Eugene Earl Axline is connected to 51 scenes, 108 dialogue lines, 108 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
51 scenes / 108 dialogue linesDuke is listed as Attack Dog. A German Shepherd trained for protection. In the parsed data, Duke is connected to 16 scenes, 8 text mentions, first appearing around scene 4.
16 scenes / 0 dialogue linesJune Huff is listed as Harry's assistant. Works at the House of Bliss, often lazy or sarcastic. In the parsed data, June Huff is connected to 14 scenes, 7 dialogue lines, 7 text mentions, first appearing around scene 20.
14 scenes / 7 dialogue linesEddy Revere is listed as Choral Member. A friend of Joan's who becomes increasingly erratic. In the parsed data, Eddy Revere is connected to 12 scenes, 8 dialogue lines, 9 text mentions, first appearing around scene 26.
12 scenes / 8 dialogue linesLewis Duart is listed as Choral Conductor. Joan's ex-husband, demanding and critical. In the parsed data, Lewis Duart is connected to 10 scenes, 18 dialogue lines, 18 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
10 scenes / 18 dialogue linesHelen Dextra is listed as Choral Member. Joan's friend, often seen on crutches. In the parsed data, Helen Dextra is connected to 9 scenes, 11 dialogue lines, 11 text mentions, first appearing around scene 33.
9 scenes / 11 dialogue linesRedmon Layls is listed as Billionaire. Extremely wealthy, powerful, and dangerous. In the parsed data, Redmon Layls is connected to 7 scenes, first appearing around scene 43.
7 scenes / 0 dialogue linesAntonia Ellerman is listed as Joan's sister. A woman with a complex romantic history, currently involved with Red Layls. In the parsed data, Antonia Ellerman is connected to 6 scenes, 12 dialogue lines, 12 text mentions, first appearing around scene 37.
6 scenes / 12 dialogue linesAdele Watanabe Bliss is listed as Harry's wife. Emotionally volatile, unhappy with her marriage. In the parsed data, Adele Watanabe Bliss is connected to 6 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
6 scenes / 2 dialogue linesLewis Duart conducts a rehearsal of a Bach Cantata, criticizing Joan Spruance's performance while Helen Dextra and other chorus members watch.
Joan Spruance, Lewis Duart, Helen Dextra, Eddy RevereAdele Watanabe Bliss and Harry Bliss attend a therapy session to discuss their marital issues.
Adele Watanabe Bliss, Eugene Earl AxlineJoan leaves the rehearsal building.
Joan SpruanceJoan finds a flyer on her car and notices a threatening dog in a nearby van.
Joan Spruance, DukeHarry and Adele walk toward their van.
Adele Watanabe Bliss, Eugene Earl AxlineHarry and Adele get into their van.
Adele Watanabe Bliss, Eugene Earl AxlineJoan sees a movie poster while driving.
Joan SpruanceJoan discovers her apartment has been ransacked.
Joan SpruanceA detective investigates the break-in while Joan's sister Andy arrives.
Joan Spruance, Helen Dextra, Antonia EllermanHarry and his assistant June discuss business and personal issues.
Eugene Earl Axline, June Huff, DukeJoan tries to figure out why the housekeeper is leaving.
Joan SpruanceJoan is harassed by a man named Butch outside the bedroom window.
Joan SpruanceJoan is harassed by Butch outside her window, then watches him leave.
Joan SpruanceJoan watches Butch drive away.
Joan SpruanceJoan finds a flyer for the House of Bliss.
Joan SpruanceHarry demonstrates Duke's training to Joan.
Joan Spruance, Eugene Earl Axline, DukeHarry conducts a mock attack drill with June.
Joan Spruance, Eugene Earl Axline, June Huff, DukeHarry and Joan discuss her sister's connections.
Joan Spruance, Eugene Earl AxlineHarry leaves, promising to return.
Joan Spruance, Eugene Earl Axline, June HuffHarry and June argue about the client.
Eugene Earl Axline, June HuffJoan checks her answering machine.
Joan Spruance, DukeJoan hears music from the bedroom.
Joan SpruanceJoan hears a threatening message.
Joan SpruanceA man harasses Joan at a stoplight.
Joan SpruanceLewie conducts the chorale.
Joan Spruance, Lewis Duart, Eddy RevereJoan and Eddy talk while Duke is tied up.
Joan Spruance, Eddy Revere, DukeHarry assesses the house security.
Joan Spruance, Eugene Earl Axline, DukeJoan and Harry have drinks.
Joan Spruance, Eugene Earl AxlineJoan and Harry discuss Dante.
Joan Spruance, Eugene Earl AxlineJoan and Harry discuss friendship between sexes.
Joan Spruance, Eugene Earl AxlineJoan finds a threatening letter in the mail.
Joan Spruance, DukeJoan and Helen discuss suspects.
Joan Spruance, Helen DextraJoan and Helen discuss suspects for the burglary and harassment while Lewie watches from afar.
Joan Spruance, Lewis Duart, Helen Dextra, Eddy RevereLewie confronts Joan about her living situation and asks if she is seeing someone.
Joan Spruance, Lewis Duart, Helen Dextra, Eddy RevereJoan and Harry dine while Socorro and Duke move about.
Joan Spruance, Eugene Earl Axline, DukeJoan and Harry discuss their relationship and intimacy.
Joan Spruance, Eugene Earl AxlineJoan and Harry are interrupted by a phone call from Andy.
Joan Spruance, Eugene Earl Axline, Antonia EllermanAndy speaks to Joan from a hospital room.
Antonia EllermanJoan and Harry inquire about Andy at the hospital.
Joan Spruance, Eugene Earl AxlineHarry and Joan discuss their next steps regarding Andy.
Joan Spruance, Eugene Earl AxlineHarry talks to a waitress about finding a private investigator.
Eugene Earl Axline, June HuffHarry is confronted by Moncrief in a car.
Eugene Earl Axline, June HuffHarry is confronted by Moncrief who tries to bribe him into finding a document for Red Layls. Harry refuses and drives off.
Eugene Earl Axline, Redmon Layls, Lewis DuartJoan drives to Andy's house and notices Butch Gable watching her.
Joan SpruanceJoan enters the house while Butch watches.
Joan SpruanceJoan searches for a manuscript and questions Socorro.
Joan Spruance, June HuffJoan discovers a break-in attempt at the window.
Joan SpruanceJoan confronts Harry about Red Layls and the harassment.
Joan Spruance, Eugene Earl AxlineHarry attempts to mail the voucher but changes his mind.
Eugene Earl AxlineJoan instructs Socorro to keep the dog away.
Joan Spruance, June Huff, DukeJoan and Helen watch a talk show and discuss the police document.
Joan Spruance, Helen DextraHarry and June watch TV and discuss their relationship.
Eugene Earl Axline, June HuffJoan and Helen are attacked by a hooded man with an axe.
Joan Spruance, Helen DextraSocorro goes to investigate the dog's barking.
June HuffSocorro is frightened by Duke.
June Huff, DukeHarry arrives and argues with Joan and Helen about the attack.
Joan Spruance, Helen Dextra, Eugene Earl AxlineHarry and Joan reconcile and make love.
Joan Spruance, Eugene Earl AxlineHarry leaves and then returns to the house.
Joan Spruance, Eugene Earl Axline, June HuffHarry searches the house for the document.
Eugene Earl Axline, DukeHarry finds a gift and a note from Joan.
Eugene Earl AxlineHarry attempts to leave with a suitcase while Adele confronts him, threatening to change the locks and start a business if he leaves.
Adele Watanabe Bliss, Eugene Earl Axline, June HuffJoan and Harry have dinner; Harry is morose while Joan tries to be affectionate.
Joan Spruance, Eugene Earl AxlineSocorro interrupts dinner to show Joan and Harry a news report about Andy Ellerman.
Joan Spruance, Eugene Earl AxlineJoan and Harry prepare to leave to find Andy.
Joan Spruance, Eugene Earl AxlineHarry tries to dissuade Joan from going to the hospital.
Joan Spruance, Eugene Earl AxlineJoan drives toward the freeway.
Joan SpruanceHarry and Joan argue in traffic.
Joan Spruance, Eugene Earl AxlineJoan and Harry arrive at the hospital.
Joan Spruance, Eugene Earl AxlineHarry and Joan sneak into the hospital.
Joan Spruance, Eugene Earl AxlineHarry and Joan navigate the hospital.
Joan Spruance, Eugene Earl AxlineJoan finds Andy and they swap clothes.
Joan Spruance, Antonia EllermanHarry distracts the nurse while Andy prepares to leave.
Eugene Earl Axline, Antonia EllermanAndy waits in the car and encounters Red Layls.
Eugene Earl Axline, Antonia Ellerman, Redmon LaylsMoncrief enters the room to find Joan.
Joan Spruance, Redmon LaylsMoncrief confronts Joan about her book and Andy's whereabouts while Harry watches from outside the window.
Joan Spruance, Lewis Duart, Eugene Earl Axline, Redmon LaylsHarry argues with Moncrief about a bribe and agreement.
Joan Spruance, Lewis Duart, Eugene Earl AxlineAndy returns, Red Layls enters, and tensions rise between Joan, Harry, and Red.
Joan Spruance, Lewis Duart, Adele Watanabe Bliss, Eugene Earl Axline, Redmon LaylsRed confronts Andy about the heart transplant donor.
Adele Watanabe Bliss, Redmon LaylsHarry reveals he is married, devastating Joan.
Joan Spruance, Lewis Duart, Eugene Earl Axline, Redmon LaylsJoan breaks up with Harry.
Joan Spruance, Eugene Earl Axline, DukeBelieve me, I know what you're up against, being an attractive, and I take it, unattached woman, such as you are... But we're going to remedy that situation right now, and get you to feeling as safe as a little baby, alright? What've we got there so far?
Don't make me have to get legal with you, Harry. You sold me the animal, then as a personal favor, I let you borrow him, to demo to some V.I.P.. that probably don't even exist. You haven't been straight with me, man.
You know, it's very sad. I look at my sister and all her marriages and affairs, not to mention the mess my own life is in, and I think it's very sad and very bleak that men and women can't manage to be friends.
Always trying to connect with me, proposing private rehearsals at his apartment. You know what he asked me yesterday? What my cup size was. Steve Jewel! Who's Steve Jewel?
Also, I'd be mildly content if I could have a little less delirious self-appreciation and some small regard for remaining somewhere in the vicinity of the goddamned note.
If the attacker is bearing a weapon of any kind, be it a gun, a club, a knife or what-have-you, the dog will, excuse me for saying... automatically go for the testicles.
Let me ask you something. I like to get a general picture of the individual situation I'm working with. Are you married, single, living alone or with some other party?
No kidding. Your sister's involved with Red Layls? This guy's gotta be one of the five or ten richest men in the country, with business connections all over the place.
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