2007
Writer Margot travels with her son, Claude, to her sister Pauline's wedding, immediately creating tension with her critical observations of Pauline's fiancé, Malcolm, and their life. Margot's meddling and judgmental nature escalate, revealing past family traumas and causing friction between the sisters, especially when Margot reveals Pauline's secret pregnancy to Malcolm. As the wedding approaches, Margot's erratic behavior, including climbing a tree and writing a threatening note to hostile neighbors, further strains relationships, while Claude and Malcolm's daughter, Ingrid, navigate the adult drama. The family's dysfunction culminates in a public breakdown for Margot at a bookstore event, a violent confrontation between Malcolm and Dick (Margot's collaborator and Maisy's father), and a final explosive argument between Margot and Pauline. Following a car crash and a night in a hotel, Margot decides to send Claude away to Vermont, and she and Pauline have a final, raw conversation about their complex relationship before Margot watches Claude depart on a bus, leaving their unresolved issues hanging in the air.
Save the Cat beat sheet
Margot and her son Claude travel to a beachside wedding at her sister Pauline’s house, where old family tensions and Margot’s personal struggles erupt.
Open full beat sheetMargot is listed as Claude's mother. Pretty brunette, late 30s, writer, prone to anxiety and critical behavior. In the parsed data, Margot is connected to 59 scenes, 241 dialogue lines, 264 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
59 scenes / 241 dialogue linesClaude is listed as Margot's son. 13-year-old boy, observant and somewhat awkward. In the parsed data, Claude is connected to 56 scenes, 136 dialogue lines, 163 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
56 scenes / 136 dialogue linesPauline is listed as Margot's sister. Pretty, late 30s, getting married to Malcolm. In the parsed data, Pauline is connected to 46 scenes, 168 dialogue lines, 184 text mentions, first appearing around scene 8.
46 scenes / 168 dialogue linesIngrid is listed as Malcolm's daughter. 11-year-old girl, wears batik shirts. In the parsed data, Ingrid is connected to 36 scenes, 51 dialogue lines, 66 text mentions, first appearing around scene 7.
36 scenes / 51 dialogue linesMalcolm is listed as Pauline's fiancé. 40, harried, sweaty, wears cargo shorts, aspiring artist/writer. In the parsed data, Malcolm is connected to 28 scenes, 106 dialogue lines, 126 text mentions, first appearing around scene 6.
28 scenes / 106 dialogue linesMaisy is listed as Dick's daughter. Young woman, Harvard student. In the parsed data, Maisy is connected to 8 scenes, 10 dialogue lines, 15 text mentions, first appearing around scene 34.
8 scenes / 10 dialogue linesDick is listed as Writer/Neighbor. 50s, novelist, collaborator with Margot. In the parsed data, Dick is connected to 7 scenes, 10 dialogue lines, 22 text mentions, first appearing around scene 28.
7 scenes / 10 dialogue linesJim is listed as Margot's husband. Claude's father, academic. In the parsed data, Jim is connected to 6 scenes, 27 dialogue lines, 36 text mentions, first appearing around scene 14.
6 scenes / 27 dialogue linesMr. Vogler is listed as Neighbor. Hostile neighbor. In the parsed data, Mr. Vogler is connected to 4 scenes, 4 dialogue lines, 4 text mentions, first appearing around scene 23.
4 scenes / 4 dialogue linesMrs. Vogler is listed as Neighbor. Hostile neighbor. In the parsed data, Mrs. Vogler is connected to 3 scenes, 4 dialogue lines, 4 text mentions, first appearing around scene 23.
3 scenes / 4 dialogue linesToby is listed as Friend. 30s, partner of Alan. In the parsed data, Toby is connected to 1 scene, 5 dialogue lines, 8 text mentions, first appearing around scene 12.
1 scenes / 5 dialogue linesAlan is listed as Friend. 40s, partner of Toby, has Bells Palsy. In the parsed data, Alan is connected to 1 scene, 2 dialogue lines, 5 text mentions, first appearing around scene 12.
1 scenes / 2 dialogue linesBruce is listed as Toby and Alan's son. 8-year-old boy. In the parsed data, Bruce is connected to 1 scene, 7 text mentions, first appearing around scene 12.
1 scenes / 0 dialogue linesClaude travels on a train, attempts to share food with a stranger, then joins his mother, Margot.
Claude, MargotMargot sleeps while Claude walks between cars and screams.
Claude, MargotClaude and Margot discuss the upcoming wedding and their relationship.
Claude, MargotMargot and Claude rush to board a ferry.
Claude, MargotMargot and Claude discuss sunglasses on the ferry.
Claude, MargotMalcolm arrives to pick up Margot and Claude.
Claude, Margot, MalcolmMalcolm drives Margot, Claude, and Ingrid to the house.
Claude, Margot, Malcolm, IngridArrival at the house; Pauline greets them; tension with neighbors.
Claude, Margot, Malcolm, Ingrid, PaulineClaude and Ingrid interact in their rooms.
Claude, IngridMargot and Pauline discuss the wedding and Pauline's pregnancy.
Margot, PaulineThe family gathers; Malcolm plays guitar; past traumas are discussed.
Claude, Margot, Malcolm, Ingrid, PaulineDinner with guests; Margot confronts Toby about Bruce.
Claude, Margot, Malcolm, Ingrid, Pauline, TobyPauline clears plates.
PaulineMargot talks to Jim on the phone.
Margot, JimMargot talks to Claude about Pauline.
Claude, MargotMalcolm and Pauline discuss Margot.
Malcolm, PaulineMargot is alone.
MargotCroquet game; tension rises.
Claude, Margot, Malcolm, Ingrid, PaulineLunch; Margot challenges Pauline to climb a tree.
Claude, Margot, Malcolm, Ingrid, PaulineMargot climbs the tree.
Claude, Margot, Malcolm, Ingrid, PaulineA volunteer fireman climbs a ladder to help Margot down from the tree.
Margot, Claude, Pauline, Malcolm, IngridPauline recounts the tree incident while Margot expresses frustration.
Pauline, Claude, Ingrid, MargotMargot and Pauline hike while discussing their lives; they encounter the Voglers.
Pauline, Margot, Claude, Ingrid, Mr. Vogler, Mrs. VoglerThe group finds a child's sneaker in the path.
Margot, Pauline, Claude, IngridPauline and Malcolm discuss the tree; Margot leaves with Dick.
Malcolm, Pauline, Claude, Ingrid, Margot, DickClaude and Ingrid watch the neighbors and Malcolm's strange behavior.
Ingrid, Claude, MalcolmThe group has cocktails and discusses Dick Koosman.
Margot, Malcolm, Pauline, Ingrid, ClaudeThe group arrives at Dick's house; Malcolm refuses to swim.
Malcolm, Pauline, Margot, Dick, Maisy, ClaudePauline and Margot race in the pool; Claude falls in.
Pauline, Margot, Claude, Maisy, Dick, IngridMargot and Pauline discuss their relationship and the upcoming talk.
Margot, PaulineMargot walks alone and finds the sneaker.
MargotMargot writes a threatening note to the Voglers.
MargotMargot spies on the Voglers and flees.
Margot, Mr. Vogler, Mrs. VoglerClaude sings; Maisy enters and criticizes him.
Claude, MaisyMargot and Claude discuss deodorant and Maisy.
Margot, ClaudeThe kids eat and discuss their parents and Maisy.
Claude, Ingrid, MaisyThe kids watch the Voglers eating.
Claude, Ingrid, Maisy, Mr. Vogler, Mrs. VoglerMalcolm drives erratically; Pauline and Malcolm argue.
Malcolm, Pauline, Margot, DickClaude and Ingrid talk; Pauline and Malcolm return.
Claude, Ingrid, Pauline, MalcolmClaude walks through the hallway and passes Malcolm shaving.
Claude, MalcolmClaude reads Margot's notebook, then Margot enters and they discuss the wedding and sleeping arrangements.
Claude, MargotPauline and Malcolm prepare for the wedding while discussing the pregnancy and Margot's indiscretion.
Malcolm, Ingrid, PaulineMargot snoops through Pauline's room and confronts Claude about her findings.
Claude, MargotThe group searches for the missing dog, Wizard, and Pauline confronts Margot about the pregnancy secret.
Claude, Margot, Ingrid, PaulineMargot and Malcolm have an awkward conversation about the wedding and their lives.
Margot, MalcolmPauline and Malcolm confront the Voglers about the tree and the wedding noise.
Malcolm, Pauline, Mr. VoglerJim arrives at the house and is greeted by Pauline.
Pauline, JimThe group has dinner together.
Claude, Margot, Malcolm, Ingrid, Pauline, JimJim and Margot drive and encounter a woman with an injured dog.
Margot, JimJim drives the injured dog to the vet.
Margot, JimMargot and Jim wait outside the vet.
Margot, JimMargot and Pauline discuss their lives and relationships.
Margot, PaulineMalcolm finds a pig's hoof in the trash.
MalcolmClaude and Ingrid are confronted by the Vogler boy.
Claude, IngridClaude returns home after being bitten.
Claude, MargotPauline and Claude admire Margot's books while Pauline vents about Margot's invasive writing.
Pauline, ClaudeMargot and Dick discuss Jim and their upcoming conversation event.
Margot, DickMargot and Dick hold a public conversation about her work, leading to a breakdown.
Margot, Dick, Pauline, ClaudeMargot takes medication and has a tense interaction with Claude.
Margot, ClaudePauline and Claude talk about Margot and family dynamics.
Pauline, ClaudeMargot and Claude have a tense conversation about their relationship and Pauline.
Margot, Claude, Pauline, Ingrid, Malcolm, MaisyPauline confronts Malcolm about his infidelity.
Pauline, MalcolmPauline searches for Maisy.
Pauline, IngridPauline discovers Maisy in her room and has a strange reaction.
Pauline, Maisy, ClaudeDick arrives and attacks Malcolm.
Malcolm, Ingrid, Dick, MaisyDick leaves with Maisy.
Margot, ClaudeMargot and Pauline have a final, explosive argument.
Margot, Pauline, ClaudePauline saves Ingrid from the falling tree.
Pauline, Ingrid, MalcolmThe car loses its brakes and crashes.
Margot, Claude, Pauline, IngridThe group walks through the forest after the crash.
Margot, Claude, Pauline, IngridThe group waits on the ferry.
Margot, Claude, Pauline, IngridThe group arrives at a hotel.
Margot, Claude, Pauline, IngridMargot tells Claude he is leaving for Vermont.
Margot, Claude, Pauline, IngridPauline is distressed; Margot expresses love for Claude.
Margot, Claude, PaulinePauline confronts Margot about her writing.
Margot, PaulineMargot, Claude, Pauline, and Ingrid sit at a bar. Margot drinks wine and takes a pill while a man performs karaoke. Pauline decides to call Malcolm.
Margot, Claude, Pauline, IngridPauline speaks to Malcolm on the phone while he is at the house.
Pauline, MalcolmMalcolm talks to Pauline on the phone while sitting in the grass. Ingrid gives Claude a piece of fingernail.
Malcolm, Pauline, Margot, Ingrid, ClaudeThe group exits the bar. Margot avoids her mother and Becky, taking Claude away.
Pauline, Ingrid, Margot, ClaudeMargot and Claude walk to the bus. They have an emotional conversation about their relationship and the future.
Claude, MargotShe's pregnant -- she told me. But she's keeping it a secret -- I mean from Malcolm and even Ingrid. Which I think is unforgiveable. Now she'll have to marry him. What's she planning -- to get married and not drink champagne? Then she'll just be lying. I guess she's afraid she'll miscarry. She probably will. I think on some level she's ambivalent about the marriage and that's why she's not telling him.
Kind of. We're neighbors. We employ Maisy. I mean I don't care, I just think it's interesting. Are you excited about the talk? I thought I'd come if that's okay. My friend, Agnes, asked me, "What's it like to have a celebrity as a sister?" I said, I've got no problem with celebrity. Alice Munro taught at Bennington and was kind of a friend of mine.
It's probably for the best. I have this theory, I think, historically, women have been held back in so many ways that when they get power, like they do behind the wheel, they can't help but abuse it. It's akin to Hannah Arendt's Eichmann theory about prison guards and prisoners switching rolls.
I write historical fiction so I don't have to answer to this, but I wonder for someone who writes so nakedly about family, how autobiographical is this portrait?
It was a difficult decision because Claude has so many friends at school now, but it is expensive and Bronx Science is a great public school.
Because I didn't want to get you excited before it was real. It's not really a baby yet. In two more weeks we can celebrate together, okay?
Alan rolled over in bed and looked at me and he said I can't feel my face. It took three doctors before we knew it was Bells Palsy.
I'm not. I'm just... As a safety thing and...I'm... Forget it. It's interesting -- this is the first time Dick has invited us over.
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