2011
Gil Pender, an American screenwriter, travels to Paris with his materialistic fiancée, Inez, and her conservative parents, but he feels increasingly disconnected from their superficiality and longs for the romanticized Paris of the 1920s. Every night at midnight, a mysterious car transports Gil back to the 1920s, where he encounters literary and artistic giants like Ernest Hemingway, Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald, Gertrude Stein, Pablo Picasso, and Salvador Dalí. Gil falls for Adriana, a muse to many artists of the era, who shares his nostalgia for a past Golden Age, though her ideal time is the Belle Époque. Gil realizes that constantly longing for a past era prevents him from appreciating his present, and he breaks off his engagement with Inez after discovering her affair with her friend Paul. Gil decides to stay in Paris and pursue his writing, embracing the present and finding a new connection with Gabrielle, a French woman who shares his love for Paris in the rain.
Save the Cat beat sheet
Screenwriter Gil Pender, disillusioned with his modern life, finds himself mysteriously time-slipping each midnight into 1920s Paris.
Open full beat sheetGil Pender is listed as Protagonist. An American screenwriter and aspiring novelist who is nostalgic for the 1920s. In the parsed data, Gil Pender is connected to 52 scenes, 109 dialogue lines, 119 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
52 scenes / 109 dialogue linesInez is listed as Gil's Fiancee. A materialistic American woman engaged to Gil. In the parsed data, Inez is connected to 28 scenes, 45 dialogue lines, 48 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
28 scenes / 45 dialogue linesAdriana is listed as Historical Muse. A woman from the 1920s who has been a muse to various famous artists. In the parsed data, Adriana is connected to 12 scenes, 18 dialogue lines, 23 text mentions, first appearing around scene 31.
12 scenes / 18 dialogue linesPaul Bates is listed as Inez's Friend. A pedantic pseudo-intellectual lecturing at the Sorbonne. In the parsed data, Paul Bates is connected to 10 scenes, 17 dialogue lines, 17 text mentions, first appearing around scene 10.
10 scenes / 17 dialogue linesHelen Blair is listed as Inez's Mother. Inez's mother, concerned with social status and wedding plans. In the parsed data, Helen Blair is connected to 10 scenes, 15 dialogue lines, 15 text mentions, first appearing around scene 27.
10 scenes / 15 dialogue linesCarol Bates is listed as Paul's Wife. Paul's wife, accompanying him on the trip. In the parsed data, Carol Bates is connected to 9 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 35.
9 scenes / 2 dialogue linesJohn Blair is listed as Inez's Father. A wealthy, conservative American businessman. In the parsed data, John Blair is connected to 8 scenes, 6 dialogue lines, 6 text mentions, first appearing around scene 33.
8 scenes / 6 dialogue linesErnest Hemingway is listed as Historical Figure. Famous American novelist. In the parsed data, Ernest Hemingway is connected to 6 scenes, 44 dialogue lines, 48 text mentions, first appearing around scene 24.
6 scenes / 44 dialogue linesGertrude Stein is listed as Historical Figure. Influential American writer and art collector. In the parsed data, Gertrude Stein is connected to 4 scenes, 16 dialogue lines, 21 text mentions, first appearing around scene 31.
4 scenes / 16 dialogue linesZelda Fitzgerald is listed as Historical Figure. Scott Fitzgerald's wife. In the parsed data, Zelda Fitzgerald is connected to 4 scenes, 8 dialogue lines, 9 text mentions, first appearing around scene 24.
4 scenes / 8 dialogue linesGabrielle is listed as Supporting. A woman who works at a flea market. In the parsed data, Gabrielle is connected to 3 scenes, 13 dialogue lines, 15 text mentions, first appearing around scene 34.
3 scenes / 13 dialogue linesScott Fitzgerald is listed as Historical Figure. Famous American novelist. In the parsed data, Scott Fitzgerald is connected to 3 scenes, 12 dialogue lines, 14 text mentions, first appearing around scene 21.
3 scenes / 12 dialogue linesSalvador Dali is listed as Historical Figure. Surrealist painter. In the parsed data, Salvador Dali is connected to 2 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 24.
2 scenes / 2 dialogue linesPablo Picasso is listed as Historical Figure. Famous Spanish painter. In the parsed data, Pablo Picasso is connected to 1 scene, 3 dialogue lines, 6 text mentions, first appearing around scene 31.
1 scenes / 3 dialogue linesGil and Inez discuss their love for Paris while walking through Monet's gardens.
Gil Pender, InezGil and Inez continue their conversation about Paris and Gil's desire to live there.
Gil Pender, InezGil romanticizes Paris in the rain and the 1920s.
Gil Pender, InezGil and Inez argue about moving to Paris.
Gil Pender, InezInez tells Gil he is in love with a fantasy, and they kiss.
Gil Pender, InezGil and Inez meet her parents in the hotel lobby.
Gil Pender, Inez, John Blair, Helen BlairThe group has dinner and runs into Paul and Carol Bates.
Gil Pender, Inez, John Blair, Helen Blair, Paul Bates, Carol BatesGil and Inez discuss the upcoming trip to Versailles and their relationship.
Gil Pender, InezPaul gives a pedantic tour of Versailles.
Gil Pender, Inez, Paul Bates, Carol BatesThe group discusses nostalgia and Golden Age thinking.
Gil Pender, Inez, Paul Bates, Carol BatesInez and Helen look at wedding rings.
Inez, Helen BlairPaul argues with the tour guide about Rodin's life.
Gil Pender, Inez, Paul Bates, Carol BatesThe group attends a wine tasting.
Gil Pender, Inez, John Blair, Helen Blair, Paul Bates, Carol BatesPaul and Carol invite Inez to go dancing; Gil declines.
Gil Pender, Inez, Paul Bates, Carol BatesInez, Paul, and Carol ride in a taxi.
Inez, Paul Bates, Carol BatesGil gets lost and is picked up by a mysterious car at midnight.
Gil PenderGil meets Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald at a party.
Gil Pender, Scott Fitzgerald, Zelda FitzgeraldThe group watches a performance at a club while Gil is stunned and the Fitzgeralds drink.
Gil Pender, Scott Fitzgerald, Zelda FitzgeraldGil meets Hemingway and the Fitzgeralds at a bohemian cafe, leading to a tense discussion about writing and relationships.
Gil Pender, Ernest Hemingway, Scott Fitzgerald, Zelda Fitzgerald, Salvador DaliGil exits the cafe and discovers the location has vanished.
Gil PenderGil tries to tell Inez about his night, but she dismisses it as a dream.
Gil Pender, InezHelen, Inez, and Gil shop for antiques.
Gil Pender, Inez, Helen BlairGil waits with Inez for the car to pick him up.
Gil Pender, InezInez leaves in a cab, and Gil is picked up by the period car at midnight.
Gil Pender, Inez, Ernest HemingwayHemingway and Gil discuss fear of death and love.
Gil Pender, Ernest HemingwayGil meets Gertrude Stein, Pablo Picasso, and Adriana.
Gil Pender, Adriana, Ernest Hemingway, Gertrude Stein, Pablo PicassoGil returns to his hotel.
Gil PenderGil and Paul argue over the subject of a Picasso painting.
Gil Pender, Inez, Paul BatesGil reflects on his experiences in bed.
Gil Pender, InezJohn and Helen discuss Gil's mysterious nightly disappearances.
Inez, John Blair, Helen BlairGil, Inez, and Helen visit a flea market where Gil meets Gabrielle.
Gil Pender, Inez, Helen Blair, GabrielleGil dances and talks with Adriana and Hemingway.
Gil Pender, Adriana, Ernest HemingwayThe group views Monet's paintings.
Gil Pender, Inez, Paul Bates, Carol BatesGil and Adriana walk and discuss their feelings.
Gil Pender, AdrianaThe group views a Picasso portrait.
Gil Pender, Inez, Paul Bates, Carol BatesGil and Adriana explore Paris.
Gil Pender, AdrianaGil and Adriana walk through the red-light district.
Gil Pender, AdrianaGil and Adriana find a distraught Zelda.
Gil Pender, Adriana, Zelda FitzgeraldGil talks with Adriana and later meets Dali, Man Ray, and Bunuel.
Gil Pender, Adriana, Salvador DaliInez and Gil discuss his work and their plans.
Gil Pender, InezGil seeks advice from the museum guide.
Gil PenderJohn hires a detective to follow Gil.
John BlairGil enters a car and meets T.S. Eliot.
Gil PenderStein tells Gil that Adriana has left for Africa with Hemingway.
Gil Pender, Gertrude SteinGil buys a record.
Gil Pender, GabrielleGil finds Adriana's diary.
Gil PenderThe guide translates Adriana's diary for Gil.
Gil PenderGil prepares to give Adriana earrings, but is interrupted by the return of Inez and her parents.
Gil Pender, Inez, John Blair, Helen BlairGil buys earrings.
Gil PenderTisserant follows Gil.
Gil PenderGil visits Gertrude Stein to discuss his book.
Gil Pender, Gertrude SteinGil finds Adriana at a wedding and meets Luis Bunuel.
Gil Pender, AdrianaGil and Adriana share a romantic moment.
Gil Pender, AdrianaArrival at Maxim's.
Gil Pender, AdrianaDancing and conversation at Maxim's.
Gil Pender, AdrianaGil and Adriana meet Lautrec, Degas, and Gauguin.
Gil Pender, AdrianaGil receives feedback on his book from Stein.
Gil Pender, Gertrude SteinGil confronts Inez about her affair.
Gil Pender, Inez, John Blair, Helen BlairGil and Inez have a heated argument about their future, leading to their breakup. Inez's parents enter, and John reveals he hired a detective to follow Gil.
Gil Pender, Inez, John Blair, Helen BlairThe missing detective is found in a period room at Versailles, causing confusion among the occupants.
Gil meets Gabrielle, the girl from the flea market, and they bond over their love for Paris in the rain as midnight strikes.
Gil Pender, GabrielleI believe that love that's true and real creates a respite from death. All cowardice comes from not loving or not loving well which is the same thing and when the man who is brave and true looks death squarely in the face like some rhino hunters I know or Belmonte who is truly brave, it is because they love with sufficient passion to push death out of their minds till it returns as it does to all men and then you must make really good love again. Think about it.
Paul says we have to see the countryside. He's taking us for lunch at this beautiful little inn. I know you like making love in the morning but I find it much sexier late afternoon - just before we go out to dinner. Except I always have to explain to my parents why your cheeks look radiant. Hey- I'm not going to force you. I know you're hot on your writing. I'll be happy when you finish this book and move on.
If I'm not mistaken this was a failed attempt to capture a young French girl named Adriana - from Bordeaux - if my art history serves me - came to Paris to study costume design for the theatre. Believe she had a brief affair with Modigliani - then Braque - that's where Pablo met her - er Picasso. You'd never know it from this portrait but she's quite subtly beautiful.
Nevertheless you have to get rid of all that technology - what's good about your book are the characters - the human questions - love - mortality - nobody cares about the technology, they care about the human heart. We all fear death and question our place in the universe.
I came here - to study with Coco Chanel - and I fell in love with Paris and also a very dark eyed, haunted, Jewish-Italian painter - and I knew Amedeo had another woman but still I couldn't resist moving into his apartment when he asked and it was a beautiful six months.
I don't know. I see what he earns but sometimes I think he's got a part missing. And I didn't like his remark about tea party Republicans. They're decent people who want to take back the country - they're not crypto-fascist, airhead zombies. Did you hear him say that?
I don't know. I see what he earns but sometimes I think he's got a part missing. And I didn't like his remark about tea party Republicans. They're decent people who want to take back the country - they're not crypto-fascist, airhead zombies. Did you hear him say that?
Can I tell you Zelda Fitzgerald is exactly as we've come to know her from articles and books - she's mercurial and moody and she does not get along with Hemingway - and Scott knows Hemingway's right about it but you can see how conflicted he is because he loves her -
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