Save the Cat rankings

Sleepless in Seattle script analysis

Sleepless in Seattle script - Save the Cat beat sheet analysis

Widower Sam and his son Jonah adjust to life after loss in Chicago. Jonah’s plea on a Seattle radio show brings Annie, a Baltimore journalist, into Sam’s orbit. Despite obstacles—new engagements, long-distance doubts, and personal hesitations—they each confront their feelings and reunite at the Empire State Building.

85 Save the Cat fit score 80% analysis confidence / 56 parsed scenes

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1

Opening Image

Scene 1 / Page 1 / 1% target

80%

Sam and Jonah attend the funeral, establishing emotional stakes and loss.

Mommy got sick and it happened just like that and there was nothing anybody would do.
2

Theme Stated

Scene 1 / Page 1 / 5% target

75%

Jonah’s rule about not asking “why” hints at coping with grief and fate.

If we start asking why we'll go crazy. So, rule number one. We don't ask why.
3

Set-Up

Scenes 2-5 / Pages 1-10 / 10% target

85%

We meet Annie’s unhappy relationship and Sam’s solitary life in Chicago, setting their worlds.

4

Catalyst

Scene 10 / 12% target

90%

Jonah calls into the Seattle radio show asking for a new wife for his dad.

It's not for me. It's for my dad. I think he needs a new wife.
5

Debate

Scenes 6-8 / 20% target

80%

Annie debates leaving her fiancé Walter, questioning destiny and love.

I'm your dad. Don't ever forget that. That's rule number two. It's you and me, kid.
6

Break into Two

Scene 7 / 25% target

85%

Sam and Annie board planes in parallel, crossing into each other’s worlds.

I'm your dad. Don't ever forget that. That's rule number two. It's you and me, kid.
7

B Story

Scenes 17-19 / 30% target

75%

Annie pursues the radio story as her B-story, exploring love’s unpredictability.

8

Fun and Games

Scenes 12-16 / 40% target

80%

Sam and Jonah’s life on the houseboat: Christmas, fishing, spice rack, and radio buzz.

9

Midpoint

Scenes 22-23 / 50% target

80%

On New Year’s Eve, Sam hallucinates his late wife, deepening emotional stakes.

10

Bad Guys Close In

Scenes 40-42 / 65% target

85%

Annie dates Walter, hires a detective, and suffers public humiliation.

How could I have been such an idiot?
11

All Is Lost

Scenes 42-43 / 75% target

85%

Annie’s plane encounter leaves her feeling like an idiot, doubting everything.

12

Dark Night of the Soul

Scene 46 / 80% target

80%

Alone at home, Annie agonizes over Sam’s letter and her failed engagement.

It's a sign I've watched this movie too many times.
13

Break into Three

Scene 54 / 85% target

90%

Jonah secretly flies to New York to force the final act into motion.

14

Finale

Scenes 55-56 / 95% target

85%

Annie breaks off her engagement and Sam, Jonah, and Annie reunite at the Empire State Building.

15

Final Image

Scene 56 / 99% target

80%

The lovers reunite atop the Empire State Building, a hopeful mirror to the opening image of loss.