2007
Caden Cotard, a hypochondriac theater director, grapples with his failing body and marriage to artist Adele, who eventually leaves him for Berlin with their daughter, Olive. After receiving a MacArthur Grant, Caden embarks on an ambitious, sprawling theater production in a massive warehouse, intending to meticulously recreate his life and the lives of those around him, including casting actors to play himself, Adele, and his various love interests like Hazel and Claire. As the years pass and the production grows increasingly complex, with sets replicating entire cities and actors playing actors playing characters, Caden's health deteriorates, his relationships crumble, and the lines between his life and his art blur. Ultimately, Caden cedes directorial control to an actress playing him, Millicent, and takes on the role of Ellen, a woman in his play, before receiving news of Olive's and Adele's deaths, finally accepting his own mortality as Millicent's voice guides him to his final, peaceful moment within the ever-expanding, self-referential theatrical world he created.
Save the Cat beat sheet
Caden’s ordinary life as a theater director, husband, and father begins to fracture under the weight of his health fears and creative obsessions.
Open full beat sheetCaden Cotard is listed as Theater Director. A 40-year-old theater director struggling with health issues, his marriage, and his artistic legacy. In the parsed data, Caden Cotard is connected to 142 scenes, 166 dialogue lines, 167 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
142 scenes / 166 dialogue linesHazel is listed as Box Office Clerk. A woman working at the theater box office who becomes a love interest for Caden. In the parsed data, Hazel is connected to 36 scenes, 53 dialogue lines, 74 text mentions, first appearing around scene 15.
36 scenes / 53 dialogue linesClaire is listed as Actress. An actress in Caden's productions who later becomes his wife. In the parsed data, Claire is connected to 22 scenes, 4 dialogue lines, 5 text mentions, first appearing around scene 27.
22 scenes / 4 dialogue linesTammy is listed as Actress. An actress who plays Hazel in Caden's production. In the parsed data, Tammy is connected to 16 scenes, 39 dialogue lines, 43 text mentions, first appearing around scene 101.
16 scenes / 39 dialogue linesAdele Lack is listed as Artist. Caden's wife, an artist who paints miniature, detailed works. In the parsed data, Adele Lack is connected to 16 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 18.
16 scenes / 3 dialogue linesOlive Cotard is listed as Caden and Adele's daughter. A young girl who grows up to be a performer in Berlin. In the parsed data, Olive Cotard is connected to 15 scenes, 20 dialogue lines, 20 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
15 scenes / 20 dialogue linesSammy Barnathan is listed as Actor. A man who follows Caden for years and is eventually cast to play him. In the parsed data, Sammy Barnathan is connected to 9 scenes, 10 dialogue lines, 10 text mentions, first appearing around scene 101.
9 scenes / 10 dialogue linesMaria is listed as Nanny. A woman who works for Adele and later becomes Olive's partner. In the parsed data, Maria is connected to 8 scenes, 10 dialogue lines, 21 text mentions, first appearing around scene 128.
8 scenes / 10 dialogue linesMillicent Weems is listed as Actress. An actress who eventually takes over the role of Caden in the production. In the parsed data, Millicent Weems is connected to 6 scenes, 24 dialogue lines, 25 text mentions, first appearing around scene 103.
6 scenes / 24 dialogue linesMadeline Gravis is listed as Therapist. Caden and Adele's therapist who is also a famous author. In the parsed data, Madeline Gravis is connected to 4 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 61.
4 scenes / 2 dialogue linesCaden and Adele have a brief morning interaction while Adele prepares breakfast for Olive.
Caden Cotard, Adele Lack, Olive CotardAdele helps Olive on the toilet while Caden is called to answer the phone.
Caden Cotard, Adele Lack, Olive Cotard, MariaAdele takes a phone call while Caden makes coffee.
Caden Cotard, Adele LackCaden inspects Olive's green stool.
Caden Cotard, Olive CotardCaden retrieves the mail in the rain.
Caden CotardCaden and Adele discuss news and Olive's breakfast.
Caden Cotard, Adele Lack, Olive CotardCaden has a dental checkup.
Caden CotardA plumbing accident causes Caden to cut his forehead.
Caden Cotard, Adele Lack, Olive CotardCaden receives stitches and medical advice.
Caden CotardThe family drives home while discussing Caden's health and plumbing.
Caden Cotard, Adele Lack, Olive CotardCaden visits an ophthalmologist.
Caden CotardCaden directs a rehearsal of Death of a Salesman.
Caden Cotard, ClaireCaden talks to Hazel in the lobby.
Caden Cotard, HazelCaden makes a phone call outside.
Caden CotardCaden and Hazel discuss literature.
Caden Cotard, HazelCaden notices blood in his stool.
Caden CotardCaden tells Adele about his health concern.
Caden Cotard, Adele LackCaden and Adele attend therapy.
Caden Cotard, Adele Lack, Madeline GravisCaden and Hazel talk on the steps.
Caden Cotard, HazelCaden talks to the plumber.
Caden CotardCaden visits Adele in her studio.
Caden Cotard, Adele LackThe opening night of the play.
Caden Cotard, Hazel, ClaireThe cast party.
Caden Cotard, Hazel, ClaireHazel drives home crying.
HazelHazel sees a dead dog.
HazelHazel removes her makeup while the injured dog sleeps in a box.
HazelCaden and Claire discuss his future plans while he examines lumps on his arm.
Caden Cotard, ClaireHazel visits a house that is currently on fire.
HazelHazel discusses buying the burning house with the realtor.
HazelCaden returns home to find Adele and Maria drinking and eating.
Caden Cotard, Adele Lack, MariaCaden and Olive walk and play a game pretending to be fairies.
Caden Cotard, Olive CotardCaden and Olive continue their pretend play in line.
Caden Cotard, Olive CotardCaden watches a performance of his play.
Caden Cotard, Adele Lack, Claire, MariaCaden and Adele argue about his play and their relationship.
Caden Cotard, Adele Lack, MariaCaden tiptoes past his sleeping parents.
Caden CotardAdele tells Caden she wants to go to Berlin with Olive.
Caden Cotard, Adele Lack, Olive CotardAdele packs for her trip while Caden questions their relationship.
Caden Cotard, Adele LackCaden cleans Adele's abandoned studio.
Caden CotardCaden chats with Hazel at the box office.
Caden Cotard, HazelCaden has a dental checkup.
Caden CotardCaden discusses his feelings with Madeline.
Caden Cotard, Madeline GravisCaden researches Madeline Gravis online.
Caden CotardCaden receives a recommendation for a periodontist.
Caden CotardCaden makes phone calls while suffering from leg swelling.
Caden CotardCaden and Hazel meet for a drink.
Caden Cotard, HazelCaden follows Hazel in his car.
Caden Cotard, HazelHazel and Caden share a drink.
Caden Cotard, HazelCaden and Hazel have sex.
Caden Cotard, HazelCaden calls Adele in Berlin.
Caden Cotard, Adele LackCaden waits to see a doctor.
Caden CotardA doctor diagnoses Caden with synaptic degradation.
Caden CotardCaden waits in line to mail a package to Olive.
Caden CotardCaden reads a dictionary.
Caden CotardCaden undergoes surgery.
Caden CotardCaden visits Hazel at the box office.
Caden Cotard, HazelCaden reads his self-help book.
Caden CotardCaden finds Olive's diary.
Caden CotardCaden receives an envelope.
Caden CotardCaden tells Madeline about his MacArthur Grant.
Caden Cotard, Madeline GravisCaden and Madeline discuss the life and suicide of Horace Azpiazu.
Caden Cotard, Madeline GravisCaden breaks into Olive's diary.
Caden Cotard, Olive CotardCaden buys a pink gift for his daughter.
Caden CotardCaden asks Hazel to be his assistant for his new theater project.
Caden Cotard, HazelCaden begins his theater project by discussing death with his actors.
Caden Cotard, ClaireCaden reads Olive's diary and makes phone calls.
Caden Cotard, ClaireCaden meets Claire while Hazel is also present.
Caden Cotard, Hazel, ClaireCaden and Claire walk together after the restaurant.
Caden Cotard, ClaireClaire's mother's funeral.
Caden Cotard, ClaireCaden and Claire have sex.
Caden Cotard, ClaireCaden confesses his feelings to Claire.
Caden Cotard, ClaireCaden and Claire get married.
Caden Cotard, ClaireCaden directs his actors.
Caden Cotard, ClaireCaden and Claire argue about their relationship and work.
Caden Cotard, ClaireClaire develops a new character based on a neighbor.
Caden Cotard, ClaireCaden discovers Olive is tattooed.
Caden Cotard, ClaireCaden encounters Madeline on a plane.
Caden Cotard, Madeline GravisCaden searches for Adele in Berlin.
Caden CotardCaden confronts Maria about Olive.
Caden Cotard, MariaCaden undergoes a medical examination.
Caden CotardCaden travels with a medical device.
Caden CotardWhat is attractive? How are attractive people treated, how do they feel? How do unattractive people feel, how are they treated? How do attractive people feel about unattractive people, how do unattractive people feel about attractive people? How do unattractive people feel about other unattractive people? How do attractive people feel about other attractive people? How do unattractive men feel about unattractive women? How do unattractive men feel about attractive women? How do attractive men feel about unattractive women? How do attractive women feel about unattractive men? How do old people feel about attractive people? How do attractive people feel about old people? This is my study.
There was supposed to be something else. I was to have something. A calm. A love. Children. A child, at least. Children. Meaning. I am always on the verge, never more than a tiny shove from tears. I can feel them in my chest now. That squeezing pressure. And it is so tempting to let go, but I am afraid, the next time maybe, I will never stop crying. I miss my husband even though he is lying here. He hates me. Oh God. I have disappointed him and he hates me. The one person who should be able to see me and he won't look. He will never look again.
Caden Cotard is a man already dead, living in a half-world between stasis and antistasis. Time is concentrated and chronology confused for him. Up until recently he has strived valiantly to make sense of his situation, but now he has turned to stone.
Good for you with your grant! Listen, I fixed up the walk-in as a sort of bedroom if you want. We'd love to have you and you wouldn't have to schlep all the way to Queens. Just a thought. Kisses. A.
I don't know, Caden. How come a lot of things? It's not like we can start fresh, like Sammy and I can. There's all this pressure on us. We're finally both free and there's all this fucking pressure.
How I love Maria! She is so much more of a father than Caden ever was, with his drinking and unfortunate body odor and rotting teeth. I could only loathe him and perhaps pity him. But Maria!
How I love Maria! She is so much more of a father than Caden ever was, with his drinking and unfortunate body odor and rotting teeth. I could only loathe him and perhaps pity him. But Maria!
My love. I know how to do the play. It'll take place over the course of one day. The day will be the day before you died, the happiest day of my life. I'll be able to relive it forever.
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