2009
Famed director Guido Contini grapples with creative block and personal turmoil while attempting to make his next film, facing pressure from his producers. He retreats to a spa hotel, where he juggles his demanding mistress, Carla, and the looming presence of his estranged wife, Luisa, all while his mind drifts into elaborate musical fantasies and memories of his past. Guido's attempts to rekindle his inspiration lead him to confront his childhood and his complex relationships with women, including his muse, Claudia, who grows increasingly frustrated by his lack of direction. After a series of confrontations and a breakdown, Guido abandons the film, realizing his creative paralysis stems from his inability to reconcile his personal life, but two years later, he returns to filmmaking with a smaller, more personal project, having found a measure of peace and a new direction.
Save the Cat beat sheet
The screenplay follows Guido Contini, an acclaimed director whose creative and personal life unravel as he juggles pressures from producers, a failing marriage, and reckless affairs.
Open full beat sheetGuido Contini is listed as Film Director. Famous, weary, haggard, struggling with creative block and personal relationships. In the parsed data, Guido Contini is connected to 58 scenes, 114 dialogue lines, 119 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
58 scenes / 114 dialogue linesDante is listed as Producer. Guido's longtime associate, amiable, well-fed. In the parsed data, Dante is connected to 16 scenes, 15 dialogue lines, 16 text mentions, first appearing around scene 3.
16 scenes / 15 dialogue linesCarla is listed as Guido's Mistress. Flamboyant, needy, desperate for Guido's love. In the parsed data, Carla is connected to 14 scenes, 20 dialogue lines, 23 text mentions, first appearing around scene 12.
14 scenes / 20 dialogue linesLuisa Contini is listed as Guido's Wife. Calm, dry, funny, manages Guido's life. In the parsed data, Luisa Contini is connected to 13 scenes, 32 dialogue lines, 34 text mentions, first appearing around scene 34.
13 scenes / 32 dialogue linesLilli is listed as Costume Designer. Cranky, indomitable, sharp, adores Guido without sentiment. In the parsed data, Lilli is connected to 10 scenes, 16 dialogue lines, 21 text mentions, first appearing around scene 6.
10 scenes / 16 dialogue linesFausto is listed as Accountant. Ascetic, sharp, birdlike, concerned with costs. In the parsed data, Fausto is connected to 8 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 34.
8 scenes / 1 dialogue linesClaudia Jenssen is listed as Film Star / Muse. Gorgeous, imposing, seductive, Guido's long-time inspiration. In the parsed data, Claudia Jenssen is connected to 7 scenes, 27 dialogue lines, 29 text mentions, first appearing around scene 50.
7 scenes / 27 dialogue linesPierpaolo is listed as Guido's PA. Young, handles messages and logistics. In the parsed data, Pierpaolo is connected to 6 scenes, 9 dialogue lines, 9 text mentions, first appearing around scene 49.
6 scenes / 9 dialogue linesStephanie is listed as Fashion Journalist. Gorgeous, flirtatious, works for American Vogue. In the parsed data, Stephanie is connected to 5 scenes, 21 dialogue lines, 22 text mentions, first appearing around scene 42.
5 scenes / 21 dialogue linesBenito is listed as Casting Director. Seeks actors for Guido's films. In the parsed data, Benito is connected to 5 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 34.
5 scenes / 1 dialogue linesYoung Guido is listed as Guido as a child. Nine-year-old version of Guido. In the parsed data, Young Guido is connected to 5 scenes, first appearing around scene 26.
5 scenes / 0 dialogue linesCardinal's Secretary is listed as Secretary. Starstruck fan of Guido. In the parsed data, Cardinal's Secretary is connected to 4 scenes, 8 dialogue lines, 8 text mentions, first appearing around scene 22.
4 scenes / 8 dialogue linesGuido's Mamma is listed as Guido's Mother. Appears as a spirit/memory, patient and guiding. In the parsed data, Guido's Mamma is connected to 4 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 57.
4 scenes / 1 dialogue linesDoctor Rondi is listed as Physician. Treats Guido for stress and exhaustion. In the parsed data, Doctor Rondi is connected to 3 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 11.
3 scenes / 3 dialogue linesSaraghina is listed as Whore. Gritty, earthy, voluptuous, a figure from Guido's childhood. In the parsed data, Saraghina is connected to 3 scenes, first appearing around scene 2.
3 scenes / 0 dialogue linesDe Rossi is listed as Desk Clerk. Urbane and wise clerk at the Bellavista Spa. In the parsed data, De Rossi is connected to 2 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 40.
2 scenes / 2 dialogue linesCardinal is listed as Religious Figure. Ancient, scarlet-robed, critical of Guido's films. In the parsed data, Cardinal is connected to 2 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 28.
2 scenes / 1 dialogue linesJaconelli is listed as Production Designer. Works on set models. In the parsed data, Jaconelli is connected to 2 scenes, first appearing around scene 5.
2 scenes / 0 dialogue linesLuigi is listed as Carla's Husband. Dignified, anxious, loves his wife. In the parsed data, Luigi is connected to 1 scene, 3 dialogue lines, 4 text mentions, first appearing around scene 47.
1 scenes / 3 dialogue linesGuido discusses the nature of filmmaking and dreams at a press conference.
Guido ContiniGuido arrives at his chaotic, unfinished film set and experiences a fantasy involving his muse, Claudia.
Guido Contini, Claudia Jenssen, Luisa Contini, Carla, Lilli, Guido's MammaGuido is jolted out of his fantasy by Dante and Fausto, who press him for a script and budget.
Guido Contini, Dante, FaustoGuido, Dante, and Fausto walk to the production offices while Fausto continues to demand a script.
Guido Contini, Dante, FaustoGuido navigates a chaotic office environment filled with crew members and requests.
Guido Contini, Dante, Pierpaolo, Jaconelli, BenitoGuido seeks refuge in Lilli's wardrobe department.
Guido Contini, Lilli, DanteGuido drives through Rome and hallucinates a conversation with his mother.
Guido Contini, Guido's MammaGuido arrives at the hotel for the press conference.
Guido Contini, Dante, FaustoGuido faces a hostile press conference.
Guido Contini, Dante, StephanieGuido checks into a spa hotel under a pseudonym.
Guido Contini, De RossiGuido is examined by a doctor while receiving a call from his mistress, Carla.
Guido Contini, Carla, Doctor RondiCarla performs a seductive song and dance routine for Guido's fantasy.
Guido Contini, CarlaGuido hides his reaction to the phone sex from the Doctor and Nurse.
Guido Contini, Doctor RondiCarla finishes her performance and professes her love to Guido.
Guido Contini, CarlaCarla arrives at the station to meet Guido.
Guido Contini, CarlaGuido shows Carla her temporary accommodation.
Guido Contini, CarlaGuido and Carla engage in a role-playing game.
Guido Contini, CarlaGuido leaves Carla sleeping.
Guido Contini, CarlaGuido walks through the hallway.
Guido ContiniGuido struggles with his creative work.
Guido ContiniGuido observes the arrival of a Cardinal.
Guido Contini, Cardinal, Cardinal's SecretaryGuido attempts to speak with the Cardinal and meets Dante.
Guido Contini, Dante, Cardinal's SecretaryDante guides Guido to the production office.
Guido Contini, DanteGuido enters the production office.
Guido Contini, Dante, Pierpaolo, Jaconelli, BenitoGuido discusses costumes with Lilli.
Guido Contini, LilliLilli performs a musical number.
Guido Contini, Lilli, Young GuidoGuido works on his model.
Guido ContiniGuido speaks with the Cardinal.
Guido Contini, Cardinal, Cardinal's SecretaryYoung Guido and friends visit Saraghina.
Saraghina, Young GuidoSaraghina performs a musical number.
Saraghina, Young GuidoYoung Guido is punished by priests.
Guido's Mamma, Young GuidoGuido and Carla argue after sex.
Guido Contini, CarlaGuido has dinner with his production team.
Guido Contini, Luisa Contini, Lilli, Dante, Fausto, BenitoGuido is at dinner with his production team when his wife Luisa arrives. They dance and share a moment, but the tension of his work and infidelity remains.
Guido Contini, Luisa Contini, Lilli, Dante, Fausto, BenitoLuisa imagines her life with Guido as a series of movie-making obsessions.
Guido Contini, Luisa ContiniA flashback to Luisa's screen test for Guido's film Il Vicolo.
Guido Contini, Luisa ContiniLuisa sees Carla enter the restaurant and leaves abruptly.
Guido Contini, Luisa Contini, CarlaGuido confronts Luisa on the steps, but she leaves him.
Guido Contini, Luisa ContiniGuido returns and confronts Carla.
Guido Contini, CarlaGuido forces Carla to leave the hotel.
Guido Contini, Carla, De RossiGuido and Luisa argue about his infidelity.
Guido Contini, Luisa ContiniGuido meets Stephanie at the bar.
Guido Contini, StephanieA musical fantasy sequence about Italian cinema style.
Guido Contini, StephanieGuido visits Stephanie's room but feels self-loathing.
Guido Contini, StephanieGuido returns to Luisa, but is interrupted by a phone call.
Guido Contini, Luisa ContiniGuido visits Carla after her suicide attempt.
Guido Contini, Carla, Doctor RondiGuido wakes up and encounters Carla's husband.
Guido Contini, Carla, LuigiDante forces Guido to return to Rome.
Guido Contini, Dante, FaustoGuido returns to the studio under pressure.
Guido Contini, Dante, Pierpaolo, LilliGuido calls Luisa and films Claudia's screen test.
Guido Contini, Claudia Jenssen, Luisa Contini, PierpaoloGuido directs Claudia in a costume test, but she becomes frustrated by the lack of a script and decides to leave.
Guido Contini, Claudia Jenssen, Lilli, Dante, Fausto, PierpaoloGuido drives Claudia away from the studio while being pursued by paparazzi.
Guido Contini, Claudia JenssenGuido and Claudia discuss the nature of his inspiration while driving.
Guido Contini, Claudia JenssenGuido and Claudia stop to talk about the script and their relationship.
Guido Contini, Claudia JenssenClaudia tells Guido she can no longer play the part of his muse and leaves him.
Guido Contini, Claudia JenssenGuido watches screen tests with his production team; Luisa arrives.
Guido Contini, Luisa Contini, Lilli, Dante, Fausto, BenitoGuido has a breakdown and confronts his mother's spirit.
Guido Contini, Luisa Contini, Guido's MammaGuido tells his team there is no movie.
Guido Contini, DanteTwo years later, Guido lives a solitary life.
Guido ContiniGuido meets Lilli and discusses his regret over Luisa.
Guido Contini, LilliGuido returns to the studio to begin a new, smaller film.
Guido Contini, Luisa Contini, Pierpaolo, Young GuidoMY HUSBAND MAKES MOVIES TO MAKE THEM HE LIVES A KIND OF DREAM IN WHICH HIS ACTIONS AREN'T ALWAYS WHAT THEY SEEM- HE MAY BE ON TO SOME UNIQUE ROMANTIC THEME. SOME MEN RUN BANKS SOME RULE THE WORLD SOME EARN THEIR LIVING BAKING BREAD. MY HUSBAND.... HE GOES A LITTLE CRAZY MAKING MOVIES INSTEAD. MY HUSBAND SPINS FANTASIES, HE LIVES THEM, THEN GIVES THEM TO YOU ALL LIKE MICHELANGELO, HE PAINTS HIS PRIVATE DOME BUT CAN'T DISTINGUISH WHAT'S HIS WORK AND WHAT'S HIS HOME. SOME MEN SELL STOCKS SOME MEN PUNCH CLOCKS SOME LEAP WHERE OTHERS FEAR TO TREAD. MY HUSBAND, AS AUTHOR AND DIRECTOR, MAKES UP STORIES IN HIS HEAD.
Talk to the people who love you in our films, they're not interested in my script! They're interested in the way you turn your head, the way the camera looks past you to the moon... the way you smile a little as you cry, the way you really do blush for the camera - how?! - who even knows, but whatever else it is, it's not my script.
THOSE SCENES I LOVE TO SEE FROM GUIDO'S "P" "O" "V" THERE'S NO ONE ELSE WITH HIS UNIQUE DIRECTOR'S VISION. HIS ANGLES - WIDE AND TIGHT - EACH MOMENT FEELS SO RIGHT... DEFINES ITALIAN STYLE BY ONLY HIS DECISION! I LOVE THE SPEEDY LITTLE CARS THE HIP COFFEE BARS THE SLEEK WOMEN IN POSITANO... GUIDO'S THE ULTIMATE UOMO ROMANO!
COOTCHIE, COOTCHIE, COOTCHIE COO. I'VE GOT A PLAN FOR WHAT I'M GONNA DO TO YOU, SO HOT YOU'RE GONNA STEAM, AND SCREAM, AND VIBRATE LIKE A STRING I'M PLUCKING- KISS YOUR FEVERED LITTLE BROW PINCH YOUR CHEEKS TILL YOU SAY "OW," AND I CAN HARDLY WAIT TO SHOW YOU HOW, GUIDO.
Luisa? She's gone. She's had it with you. And quite frankly, so have I. You drag a whole crew up here and then you just disappear. I can't protect you anymore. And Claudia is in Rome. Makeup tests start today. Remember?
Guido - there probably isn't a single person passing by who hasn't been touched in some way by one of your movies. That's your gift. That's what you've been given. Use it. Just use it with some grace. For Chrissake.
My husband thinks I'm clever, that's the strange thing, because I'm not, well you know that, I spend too much time in my little brain thinking about you, about where you are, what you are doing, what you dream of.
I was telling your husband how much I admire his movies. Publicly, you know the Church condemns them - we have to - but we all love them. Last year we did our own version of your Il Vicolo at the Christmas Party.
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