Save the Cat rankings

SEX AND THE CITY: THE MOVIE script analysis

SEX AND THE CITY: THE MOVIE script - Save the Cat beat sheet analysis

Carrie prepares for marriage to Mr. Big while her friends navigate their own relationship crises. She and Big secure a New York library wedding, only to have him balk at the altar, prompting Carrie’s journey through heartbreak and self-reliance. Ultimately, they reconcile properly and marry in an intimate courthouse ceremony, while each friend finds resolution.

50 Save the Cat fit score 30% analysis confidence / 227 parsed scenes

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1

Opening Image

Scene 1 / Page 1 / 1% target

30%

Carrie reflects on single life and past ambitions as she watches younger women on 5th Avenue.

Year after year, twenty-something women come to New York City in search of the two "L's": labels and...
2

Theme Stated

Scene 2 / Page 1 / 5% target

30%

Carrie muses on labels and love, hinting that finding genuine connection is the true prize.

Having gotten the knack for labels early... I concentrated on my search for love.
3

Set-Up

Scenes 3-11 / Pages 1-2 / 10% target

30%

We meet Carrie’s circle and see Carrie meet Big, establishing her comfortable lifestyle and relationship.

And... one of us stayed exactly where she was. In love.
4

Catalyst

Scene 11 / Page 2 / 12% target

30%

Carrie reunites with Big, setting their engagement subplot in motion.

And... one of us stayed exactly where she was. In love.
5

Debate

Scenes 22-23 / Pages 2-3 / 20% target

30%

Carrie and Big discuss moving in and marriage, as Carrie debates if she’s ready.

So, the other night, Big and I were talking about, you know, moving in together and our future......
6

Break into Two

Scene 36 / Page 4 / 25% target

30%

Carrie suggests marrying at the New York Public Library, marking the shift into Act Two.

How about we get married at The New York Public Library?
7

B Story

Scene 22 / Page 3 / 30% target

30%

Miranda’s marriage issues surface in Big’s sublet kitchen, introducing her emotional subplot.

Sorry! I'm sorry... but my friend here, just got engaged and she's been going out with the man...
8

Fun and Games

Scenes 18-21 / Pages 3-4 / 40% target

30%

The girls attend an auction and chase luxury, showcasing their friendship dynamics and comedic set pieces.

If Schadenfreude is the word for feeling pleasure at someone else misfortune -- This was "jewelryfreude."
9

Midpoint

Scenes 36-38 / Pages 4-5 / 50% target

30%

The wedding is announced publicly on Page Six, raising stakes as Big hesitates.

Our wedding's on Page Six.
10

Bad Guys Close In

Scenes 55-60 / Pages 6-7 / 65% target

30%

Steve’s cheating comes to light and Miranda separates, tension mounts among the group.

I had sex with someone else.
11

All Is Lost

Scenes 87-90 / Page 8 / 75% target

30%

Big tells Carrie he won’t come to the wedding; Carrie leaves the library alone.

12

Dark Night of the Soul

Scenes 95-101 / Page 9 / 80% target

30%

Carrie despondently sits alone in Mexico, withdrawing from life.

13

Break into Three

Scenes 111-112 / Page 10 / 85% target

30%

Carrie symbolically discards her phone, then returns home to reclaim her independence.

14

Finale

Scenes 230-238 / Pages 18-19 / 95% target

30%

Carrie discovers Big’s letters, rushes to him, they reconcile in the closet and marry at the courthouse with friends’ support.

Why did we ever decide to get married?
15

Final Image

Scene 239 / Page 19 / 99% target

30%

The group celebrates with a casual breakfast, echoing the camaraderie of the opening but now with fulfilled relationships.

To Samantha... fifty and fabulous!