2015
Actress Elizabeth Berry travels to Savannah to research Gracie Atherton-Yoo, a woman famous for a scandalous affair with a 13-year-old boy, Joe Yoo, whom she later married. As Elizabeth interviews Gracie, Joe, and others, she observes the complexities of their marriage and family, noting Gracie's unrepentant demeanor and Joe's quiet melancholy. Elizabeth's presence destabilizes the family, leading Joe to question his past and confront Gracie about the manipulative nature of their initial affair. Ultimately, Elizabeth returns to Los Angeles to film, struggling to embody Gracie, while Gracie, seemingly unfazed, attends her children's graduation, asserting control over her narrative.
Save the Cat beat sheet
A film actress, Elizabeth Berry, travels to Savannah to research a local woman, Gracie, whose scandalous past involves a relationship with a judge.
Open full beat sheetElizabeth Berry is listed as Actress. 36-year-old actress researching a role, observant, manipulative, and methodical. In the parsed data, Elizabeth Berry is connected to 47 scenes, 137 dialogue lines, 138 text mentions, first appearing around scene 4.
47 scenes / 137 dialogue linesJoe Yoo is listed as Gracie's husband. 36-year-old, handsome, melancholy, former child involved in the scandal with Gracie. In the parsed data, Joe Yoo is connected to 39 scenes, 107 dialogue lines, 107 text mentions, first appearing around scene 7.
39 scenes / 107 dialogue linesGracie Atherton-Yoo is listed as Subject of the film. 59-year-old woman, small, alert, seemingly unapologetic, former pet shop employee involved in a scandal. In the parsed data, Gracie Atherton-Yoo is connected to 22 scenes, 108 dialogue lines, 108 text mentions, first appearing around scene 7.
22 scenes / 108 dialogue linesMary Atherton-Yoo is listed as Gracie and Joe's daughter. 18-year-old twin, daughter of Gracie and Joe. In the parsed data, Mary Atherton-Yoo is connected to 9 scenes, 10 dialogue lines, 10 text mentions, first appearing around scene 7.
9 scenes / 10 dialogue linesCharlie Atherton-Yoo is listed as Gracie and Joe's son. 18-year-old twin, son of Gracie and Joe, slight build. In the parsed data, Charlie Atherton-Yoo is connected to 5 scenes, 5 dialogue lines, 5 text mentions, first appearing around scene 22.
5 scenes / 5 dialogue linesHonor Atherton-Yoo is listed as Gracie and Joe's daughter. 22-year-old daughter of Gracie and Joe. In the parsed data, Honor Atherton-Yoo is connected to 3 scenes, first appearing around scene 53.
3 scenes / 0 dialogue linesGeorgie Atherton is listed as Gracie's son. Gracie's son from her first marriage, sensitive, creative, chaotic. In the parsed data, Georgie Atherton is connected to 2 scenes, 10 dialogue lines, 10 text mentions, first appearing around scene 37.
2 scenes / 10 dialogue linesRhonda is listed as Friend of Gracie. 60s, ceramicist, supportive of Gracie. In the parsed data, Rhonda is connected to 2 scenes, 9 dialogue lines, 10 text mentions, first appearing around scene 7.
2 scenes / 9 dialogue linesJoe Sr. is listed as Joe's father. 70-year-old father of Joe. In the parsed data, Joe Sr. is connected to 2 scenes, first appearing around scene 39.
2 scenes / 0 dialogue linesTom Atherton is listed as Gracie's ex-husband. Early 60s, handsome, straightforward, former husband of Gracie. In the parsed data, Tom Atherton is connected to 1 scene, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 25.
1 scenes / 1 dialogue linesA monarch butterfly lays an egg on a milkweed leaf.
A breezy Memorial Day morning in downtown Savannah.
Elizabeth Berry arrives at the inn.
Elizabeth BerryElizabeth unpacks and receives a welcome note.
Elizabeth BerryElizabeth begins her research on Gracie.
Elizabeth BerryJoe tends to the grill in the backyard.
Joe YooGracie and Rhonda prepare food for the party while Joe interacts with them.
Gracie Atherton-Yoo, Joe Yoo, Mary Atherton-Yoo, Charlie Atherton-Yoo, RhondaJoe talks to Ben while grilling.
Joe YooElizabeth arrives at the Atherton-Yoo house.
Elizabeth BerryElizabeth meets Gracie and Joe.
Elizabeth Berry, Gracie Atherton-Yoo, Joe YooGracie and Joe dispose of the package.
Elizabeth Berry, Gracie Atherton-Yoo, Joe YooElizabeth interacts with Mary and her friends.
Elizabeth Berry, Mary Atherton-YooElizabeth talks to Rhonda about Gracie.
Elizabeth Berry, RhondaElizabeth studies old magazines about Gracie.
Elizabeth BerryJoe researches Elizabeth.
Joe YooJoe and Gracie have a tense moment in bed.
Gracie Atherton-Yoo, Joe YooJoe collects butterfly eggs.
Joe YooJoe organizes the butterfly eggs.
Joe YooElizabeth arrives at the community center.
Elizabeth BerryElizabeth enters the flower-arranging class.
Elizabeth Berry, Gracie Atherton-YooElizabeth and Gracie arrange flowers and talk.
Elizabeth Berry, Gracie Atherton-YooElizabeth has dinner with Gracie, Joe, and Charlie.
Elizabeth Berry, Gracie Atherton-Yoo, Joe Yoo, Charlie Atherton-YooElizabeth asks Joe if she can shadow him at work.
Elizabeth Berry, Joe YooElizabeth talks to her fiancé about Gracie.
Elizabeth BerryElizabeth talks to her fiancé Aaron on the phone while doing her makeup, discussing Gracie's lack of guilt.
Elizabeth BerryElizabeth interviews Tom Atherton about his past marriage to Gracie.
Elizabeth Berry, Tom AthertonElizabeth observes Gracie helping her daughter Mary try on dresses.
Elizabeth Berry, Gracie Atherton-Yoo, Mary Atherton-YooElizabeth arrives at the pet store to investigate the site of the scandal.
Elizabeth BerryMr. Henderson gives Elizabeth a tour of the pet store and discusses the past.
Elizabeth BerryElizabeth explores the stockroom where the affair occurred.
Elizabeth BerryElizabeth reenacts the setting of the affair.
Elizabeth BerryCaterpillars hatch in the butterfly cages.
Joe finds a hidden letter in a photo book.
Joe YooJoe and Gracie interact while she bakes.
Gracie Atherton-Yoo, Joe YooElizabeth examines photos of Gracie.
Elizabeth BerryElizabeth watches audition tapes for the role of Joe.
Elizabeth BerryElizabeth visits Joe at his workplace.
Elizabeth Berry, Joe YooElizabeth interviews Morris Sperber, Gracie's former lawyer.
Elizabeth Berry, Georgie AthertonJoe arrives at his father's apartment.
Joe YooJoe visits his father.
Joe Yoo, Joe Sr.Joe and his father discuss the upcoming graduation.
Joe Yoo, Joe Sr.Elizabeth gives a talk to a drama class about acting, specifically addressing sex scenes and her process for choosing roles.
Elizabeth Berry, Mary Atherton-YooElizabeth drives toward the Atherton-Yoo house.
Elizabeth BerryElizabeth drops Mary off at home.
Elizabeth Berry, Mary Atherton-YooGracie and Elizabeth sit in the bathroom while Gracie does Elizabeth's makeup.
Elizabeth Berry, Gracie Atherton-YooJoe is in the den watching TV when Gracie and Elizabeth arrive.
Elizabeth Berry, Gracie Atherton-Yoo, Joe YooJoe and Elizabeth discuss his caterpillar project.
Elizabeth Berry, Joe YooJoe and Elizabeth take a walk and discuss their relationship and the past.
Elizabeth Berry, Joe YooJoe returns home to find the house dark and silent.
Joe YooJoe finds Gracie crying in the bedroom.
Gracie Atherton-Yoo, Joe YooGracie and Joe share a piece of cake.
Gracie Atherton-Yoo, Joe YooElizabeth talks to Roberto on the phone about her progress.
Elizabeth BerryHonor arrives and is greeted by Joe and Mary.
Joe Yoo, Mary Atherton-Yoo, Honor Atherton-YooJoe drives the girls home.
Joe Yoo, Mary Atherton-Yoo, Honor Atherton-YooThe girls discuss their mother and Elizabeth.
Joe Yoo, Mary Atherton-Yoo, Honor Atherton-YooElizabeth watches a TV movie about Gracie.
Elizabeth BerryJoe texts with Michela.
Joe YooThe TV movie continues.
Joe continues texting Michela.
Joe YooElizabeth gets dressed.
Elizabeth BerryJoe and Charlie share a joint on the roof.
Joe Yoo, Charlie Atherton-YooElizabeth arrives for dinner.
Elizabeth Berry, Gracie Atherton-YooGracie and Elizabeth bake a cake together.
Elizabeth Berry, Gracie Atherton-YooJoe and Charlie are on the roof; Gracie and Elizabeth call up to them.
Elizabeth Berry, Gracie Atherton-Yoo, Joe Yoo, Charlie Atherton-YooElizabeth and Gracie discuss expectations and life while in the ladies' room.
Elizabeth Berry, Gracie Atherton-YooElizabeth waits outside and encounters Georgie, who shares a dark theory about Gracie's past.
Elizabeth Berry, Georgie AthertonJoe drives Elizabeth to the Inn; they discuss her asthma.
Elizabeth Berry, Joe YooJoe and Elizabeth use the nebulizer, share a letter, and become intimate.
Elizabeth Berry, Joe YooJoe confronts Gracie about their past relationship.
Gracie Atherton-Yoo, Joe YooGracie and Elizabeth meet at the graduation ceremony; Gracie dismisses Georgie's claims about their past and asserts her own security.
Elizabeth Berry, Gracie Atherton-Yoo, Mary Atherton-Yoo, Charlie Atherton-YooElizabeth performs a scene as Gracie on a set, repeatedly trying to get the take right.
Elizabeth BerrySometimes it's really mechanical, choreographed like a dance, where the only thing you can really think about is where you're supposed to be and when. But sometimes there's a genuine chemistry between two people, and it feels sort of real in this strange way, not that either of you would ever admit it. But you're wearing practically nothing and rubbing up against each other. Sweating. For hours. You start to lose the line of... am I pretending to be experiencing pleasure or am I pretending that I'm not experiencing pleasure? And the crew is almost always all men, and you can feel them watching. Holding their breath. Trying to hide it when they have to swallow. You give in to the rhythm of it. Over and over, but the tension never breaks.
My friend, Michela, who's in the group--she's in Durham-- People put milkweed in the cages for them to attach to, but she also puts these sticks in for them to climb. `Cause some of them attach to the top of the mesh when they form the chrysalis, and hang upside-down. Anyway, I know it's boring.
It's pretty close-knit here on the island. You kind of recognize people... But it's hard to remember. A lot of kids would be over at the house sometimes. And I know at one point he was friendly with Georgie... But I didn't really meet him until he came into the pet store looking for a job.
She's unapologetic. My son's been out of the house for a while now, and it's quiet. But I can always call up Gracie and say, what are we doing today? And there's always an answer...
I could do this job. Pick out the songs for the movie, I would pick great songs.
It really feels like things just settled down. And now they're making a movie.
And then he, uh... started working there. In the afternoons and on weekends.
It's okay... sounds like things aren't going too great for either one of us.
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