2005
Seventeen-year-old Lisa Cohen is traumatized after distracting a bus driver, Gerald Maretti, causing a fatal accident and the death of Monica Patterson, leading her to initially lie to the police before confessing her involvement. Driven by guilt, Lisa becomes deeply involved in a civil lawsuit against the bus company, collaborating with Monica's friend and a lawyer, while her personal life unravels through reckless behavior and a strained relationship with her mother. A settlement offer that fails to include Maretti's termination creates a rift between Lisa, Monica's family, and friends, highlighting the complexities of justice and forgiveness. Ultimately, Lisa and her mother attend an opera where they encounter Maretti, sharing a poignant moment during the performance that suggests a fragile reconciliation and a step towards processing their complex emotions.
Save the Cat beat sheet
Teenager Lisa Cohen witnesses a traumatic bus accident and struggles with guilt, secrecy, and family tensions.
Open full beat sheetLisa Cohen is listed as Protagonist. 17-year-old high school student, intelligent, impulsive, and emotionally volatile. In the parsed data, Lisa Cohen is connected to 106 scenes, 141 dialogue lines, 145 text mentions, first appearing around scene 4.
106 scenes / 141 dialogue linesJoan Cohen is listed as Lisa's Mother. Actress, struggling with her career and relationship with her children. In the parsed data, Joan Cohen is connected to 49 scenes, 24 dialogue lines, 24 text mentions, first appearing around scene 19.
49 scenes / 24 dialogue linesRamon is listed as Joan's Love Interest. Colombian businessman, opera fan. In the parsed data, Ramon is connected to 16 scenes, 9 dialogue lines, 10 text mentions, first appearing around scene 28.
16 scenes / 9 dialogue linesEmily Morrison is listed as Monica's Friend. Friend of the deceased, involved in the legal pursuit. In the parsed data, Emily Morrison is connected to 15 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 82.
15 scenes / 1 dialogue linesCurtis Cohen is listed as Lisa's Brother. 11-year-old boy. In the parsed data, Curtis Cohen is connected to 13 scenes, 9 dialogue lines, 9 text mentions, first appearing around scene 11.
13 scenes / 9 dialogue linesBecky is listed as Friend. Lisa's close friend at school. In the parsed data, Becky is connected to 9 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 7.
9 scenes / 2 dialogue linesMr. Aaron is listed as Teacher. Late 20s, handsome math teacher at Ralph Waldo Emerson School. In the parsed data, Mr. Aaron is connected to 8 scenes, 9 dialogue lines, 9 text mentions, first appearing around scene 4.
8 scenes / 9 dialogue linesDarren is listed as Friend/Love Interest. Short, energetic high school student, close friend of Lisa. In the parsed data, Darren is connected to 6 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 9.
6 scenes / 2 dialogue linesRussel Deutsch is listed as Lawyer. Personal injury litigator. In the parsed data, Russel Deutsch is connected to 6 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 124.
6 scenes / 1 dialogue linesDetective Mitchell is listed as Police Detective. Investigating officer for the bus accident. In the parsed data, Detective Mitchell is connected to 5 scenes, 34 dialogue lines, 37 text mentions, first appearing around scene 17.
5 scenes / 34 dialogue linesKarl Cohen is listed as Lisa's Father. Displaced New Yorker living in Santa Monica. In the parsed data, Karl Cohen is connected to 5 scenes, 5 dialogue lines, 5 text mentions, first appearing around scene 66.
5 scenes / 5 dialogue linesPaul is listed as Classmate. Droll, handsome senior. In the parsed data, Paul is connected to 5 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 50.
5 scenes / 1 dialogue linesAbigail Berwitz is listed as Monica's Cousin. Monica's cousin living in Arizona. In the parsed data, Abigail Berwitz is connected to 5 scenes, first appearing around scene 108.
5 scenes / 0 dialogue linesGerald Maretti is listed as Bus Driver. Driver of the bus involved in the accident. In the parsed data, Gerald Maretti is connected to 4 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 77.
4 scenes / 2 dialogue linesMonica Patterson is listed as Accident Victim. Upper West Side woman killed in a bus accident. In the parsed data, Monica Patterson is connected to 2 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 16.
2 scenes / 1 dialogue linesA young girl waits at a curb, a truck passes by, and traffic flows.
A crowd crosses the street in slow motion.
Montage of New Yorkers crossing streets.
Mr. Aaron returns math tests to students.
Mr. Aaron, Lisa CohenMr. Aaron talks to Lisa about her test performance.
Mr. Aaron, Lisa CohenLisa walks through the hallway.
Lisa CohenStudents smoke and talk in the alley.
Lisa Cohen, BeckyTeachers discuss history with the class.
Lisa Cohen, BeckyDarren walks with Lisa and asks her out.
Lisa Cohen, DarrenLisa arrives home.
Lisa CohenLisa talks to her brother Curtis.
Lisa Cohen, Curtis CohenLisa steals money from her mother's bureau.
Lisa CohenLisa window shops.
Lisa CohenLisa tries to catch a bus driver's attention, leading to a fatal accident.
Lisa Cohen, Gerald Maretti, Monica PattersonLisa gives a statement to Detective Mitchell.
Lisa Cohen, Detective MitchellLisa returns home covered in blood after witnessing an accident; Curtis and Joan react.
Curtis Cohen, Lisa Cohen, Joan CohenLisa returns home covered in blood.
Lisa Cohen, Curtis Cohen, Joan CohenLisa attempts to clean up and deals with the trauma of the accident.
Lisa CohenLisa vomits in the bathroom while Joan tries to comfort her.
Lisa Cohen, Joan CohenJoan helps Lisa clean up the bloody clothes.
Lisa Cohen, Joan CohenLisa washes the blood off in the shower.
Lisa CohenThe family eats dinner and discusses the accident.
Joan Cohen, Lisa Cohen, Curtis CohenLisa prepares to go out to see Becky.
Lisa Cohen, Joan CohenLisa meets Darren and Becky.
Darren, Lisa Cohen, BeckyLisa leaves the movie early.
Lisa Cohen, Darren, BeckyJoan takes a curtain call.
Joan CohenJoan receives flowers.
Joan CohenJoan meets Ramon.
Joan Cohen, Ramon, Lisa CohenLisa and Joan socialize with actors.
Lisa Cohen, Joan CohenLisa leaves for school.
Lisa Cohen, Joan CohenLisa walks to school.
Lisa CohenLisa arrives at school.
Lisa Cohen, BeckyClass reads King Lear.
Lisa CohenLisa and Darren discuss their relationship.
Lisa Cohen, DarrenJoan and Ramon have a drink.
Joan Cohen, RamonJoan and Ramon leave.
Joan Cohen, RamonJoan returns home.
Joan CohenLisa talks to Joan about the accident.
Joan Cohen, Lisa CohenClass debates politics.
Lisa Cohen, BeckyLisa and Joan leave for the police station.
Lisa Cohen, Joan CohenThey arrive at the police station.
Joan Cohen, Lisa CohenLisa is interviewed by Mitchell.
Detective Mitchell, Joan Cohen, Lisa CohenLisa calls her father.
Karl Cohen, Lisa CohenLisa watches Joan perform.
Joan Cohen, Lisa CohenLisa and Joan argue about the play.
Joan Cohen, Lisa CohenLisa and Becky discuss the school play.
Paul, Becky, Lisa CohenLisa tells a group of girls about witnessing a bus accident.
Lisa CohenJoan and Ramon discuss her children and have a drink.
Joan Cohen, RamonLisa and Becky have a falling out while smoking pot.
Lisa Cohen, BeckyLisa and Paul do cocaine and make out in a bathroom.
Lisa Cohen, PaulLisa encounters Darren at the party.
Lisa Cohen, DarrenJoan is in the bathroom after being with Ramon.
Joan Cohen, RamonLisa talks to Mr. Aaron about the accident.
Lisa Cohen, Mr. AaronLisa and Joan have a heated argument.
Lisa Cohen, Joan CohenJoan and Ramon arrive at the opera.
Joan Cohen, RamonLisa calls Paul to arrange meeting.
Lisa Cohen, PaulDarren calls Lisa and is left depressed.
Lisa Cohen, DarrenPaul arrives at Lisa's apartment.
Lisa Cohen, PaulLisa and Paul have sex.
Lisa Cohen, Paul, Curtis CohenLisa walks Paul out of the house past her brother Curtis.
Lisa Cohen, Mr. Aaron, Curtis CohenLisa changes into pajamas.
Lisa CohenLisa performs her nightly routine.
Lisa CohenLisa watches TV with Curtis.
Lisa Cohen, Curtis CohenJoan and Ramon attend an opera performance.
Joan Cohen, RamonJoan and Ramon discuss the opera performance.
Joan Cohen, RamonLisa and Karl discuss her situation over the phone.
Lisa Cohen, Karl CohenKarl listens to Lisa's story through the glass doors.
Karl CohenLisa asks Karl for advice on the accident; Annette interrupts.
Lisa Cohen, Karl Cohen, RamonLisa has a dream about packing a cowboy hat.
Lisa CohenLisa has a nightmare about her mother.
Lisa Cohen, Joan CohenLisa has a hallucination in the bathroom.
Lisa Cohen, Monica PattersonLisa calls Maretti but hangs up.
Lisa Cohen, Gerald MarettiLisa rides the subway.
Lisa CohenLisa arrives in Bay Ridge.
Lisa CohenLisa finds Maretti's house.
Lisa CohenLisa meets Mrs. Maretti.
Lisa CohenLisa confronts Maretti.
Lisa Cohen, Gerald MarettiLisa uses the bathroom at the Maretti house.
Lisa CohenLisa exits the bathroom.
Lisa CohenLisa and the Marettis argue outside.
Lisa Cohen, Gerald MarettiI just need to talk to somebody who doesn't completely misunderstand who I am. Or not even who I am, but what's going on inside me, or all around me. Sound confused enough? Anyway, for whatever reason, I always felt like we understood each other on some level, even though I'm like a mass of conflicting impulses and you're basically the most grown-up, rational man I know.
No, I get the picture. So you're flirtin' with this guy, he's wavin' at you, he runs the light, hits the decedent, she dies on the scene...the both of youse lie to me on both of your statements, and then somewheres in there you turn around, decide the guy belongs in jail. That right? That about right?
I don't mean they didn't really enjoy it...But you know how you can really be enjoying something -- but you're also kind of looking around out of the corner of your eye -- because you know people are watching you enjoy it...? Does that make sense at all?
I'm very pleased to be able to inform you all that I had a long meeting with the lawyer for the bus company, and they've agreed to settle out of court for three hundred and fifty thousand dollars.
OK, well, first of all, I'm very glad you told me. Second of all, I think you should let me call my friend who's a lawyer, just to get some idea of what the ramifications would be.
Yeah. You're all worried about my grades. They have really good public schools in Santa Monica, and if I officially lived with him, you wouldn't have to worry about my scholarship.
I thought you said it sounded like it was going to be a disaster. Personally I'm relieved. I'm not moving out there, either, by the way, obviously. Which is fine too.
Yes! There are bad people in the world! I think they liked blowing up the World Trade Center! They kill their own sisters when they get raped! It's called barbarism!
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