2023
Laszlo Toth, a Hungarian architect and emigrant, arrives in America after the war, seeking to rebuild his life and bring his wife, Erzsebet, and niece, Zsofia, to join him. He finds work with his cousin Attila, a furniture shop owner, and eventually secures a commission from the wealthy industrialist Harrison Lee Van Buren Senior to renovate his study, which leads to a larger project: designing a chapel on Van Buren's estate. As Laszlo's architectural career begins to flourish, his personal life becomes complicated by his drug use with his friend Gordon and the arrival of Erzsebet and Zsofia, who are welcomed into the Van Buren estate. The chapel project faces setbacks, including a train derailment and layoffs, while Laszlo's relationship with Van Buren becomes increasingly strained, culminating in a violent confrontation during a trip to Italy to source marble.
Save the Cat beat sheet
An immigrant sculptor, Laszlo, arrives in America seeking reunion with his family and professional validation.
Open full beat sheetLASZLO TOTH is listed as Protagonist / Architect. A malnourished, brutalized Hungarian emigrant and architect with a broken nose. In the parsed data, LASZLO TOTH is connected to 112 scenes, 153 dialogue lines, 156 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
112 scenes / 153 dialogue linesERZSEBET TOTH is listed as Laszlo's Wife. A survivor of the war, frail and ill, who eventually joins Laszlo in America. In the parsed data, ERZSEBET TOTH is connected to 36 scenes, 63 dialogue lines, 63 text mentions, first appearing around scene 86.
36 scenes / 63 dialogue linesHARRISON LEE VAN BUREN SR. is listed as Patron / Industrialist. A wealthy, miserly, and powerful industrialist who commissions Laszlo. In the parsed data, HARRISON LEE VAN BUREN SR. is connected to 27 scenes, 81 dialogue lines, 81 text mentions, first appearing around scene 42.
27 scenes / 81 dialogue linesGORDON is listed as Construction Worker / Friend. A fellow laborer and friend to Laszlo. In the parsed data, GORDON is connected to 26 scenes, 34 dialogue lines, 41 text mentions, first appearing around scene 37.
26 scenes / 34 dialogue linesHARRY LEE VAN BUREN is listed as Van Buren's Son. Handsome, ambitious, and often adversarial toward Laszlo. In the parsed data, HARRY LEE VAN BUREN is connected to 25 scenes, 45 dialogue lines, 45 text mentions, first appearing around scene 24.
25 scenes / 45 dialogue linesATTILA is listed as Laszlo's Cousin. An Americanized furniture shop owner in Philadelphia. In the parsed data, ATTILA is connected to 18 scenes, 32 dialogue lines, 34 text mentions, first appearing around scene 13.
18 scenes / 32 dialogue linesZSOFIA is listed as Laszlo's Niece. A haunted young woman who accompanies Erzsebet. In the parsed data, ZSOFIA is connected to 16 scenes, 15 dialogue lines, 23 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
16 scenes / 15 dialogue linesAUDREY is listed as Attila's Wife. A demure, posh, and defiant American woman. In the parsed data, AUDREY is connected to 9 scenes, 15 dialogue lines, 17 text mentions, first appearing around scene 31.
9 scenes / 15 dialogue linesMAGGIE LEE is listed as Van Buren's Daughter. Harry's twin sister. In the parsed data, MAGGIE LEE is connected to 9 scenes, 4 dialogue lines, 4 text mentions, first appearing around scene 66.
9 scenes / 4 dialogue linesMICHAEL HOFFMAN is listed as Attorney. Van Buren's attorney and friend. In the parsed data, MICHAEL HOFFMAN is connected to 8 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 113.
8 scenes / 2 dialogue linesLESLIE WOODROW is listed as Contractor. A heavy-set, pragmatic construction supervisor. In the parsed data, LESLIE WOODROW is connected to 6 scenes, 17 dialogue lines, 17 text mentions, first appearing around scene 66.
6 scenes / 17 dialogue lineschar_12 is identified from the parsed character and dialogue data. In the parsed data, char_12 is connected to 3 scenes, 8 dialogue lines, 8 text mentions, first appearing around scene 84.
3 scenes / 8 dialogue lineschar_14 is identified from the parsed character and dialogue data. In the parsed data, char_14 is connected to 2 scenes, 4 dialogue lines, 4 text mentions, first appearing around scene 90.
2 scenes / 4 dialogue lineschar_13 is identified from the parsed character and dialogue data. In the parsed data, char_13 is connected to 2 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 85.
2 scenes / 2 dialogue linesA border officer questions Zsofia about her identity and her relationship to the woman outside, but she remains silent.
ZSOFIALaszlo is woken up by a refugee and searches for his luggage while listening to Erzsebet's voiceover.
LASZLO TOTH, GORDONLaszlo and the refugee move through the ship.
LASZLO TOTH, GORDONLaszlo reaches the deck and sees the Statue of Liberty.
LASZLO TOTH, GORDONHIAS representatives provide orientation to Jewish emigres.
LASZLO TOTHA foghorn blows over the docks.
Laszlo is with a prostitute while his friend is in the background.
LASZLO TOTH, GORDONLaszlo exits the room and speaks to the Madame.
LASZLO TOTHLaszlo watches silent pornography.
LASZLO TOTHLaszlo and his friend catch a bus.
LASZLO TOTH, GORDONMontage of Philadelphia landmarks.
Laszlo sees Attila waiting for him.
LASZLO TOTH, ATTILALaszlo reunites with Attila.
LASZLO TOTH, ATTILAAttila and Audrey show Laszlo the shop.
LASZLO TOTH, ATTILA, AUDREYLaszlo reads Erzsebet's letter and begins sketching.
LASZLO TOTHLaszlo waits in line and meets Gordon.
LASZLO TOTH, GORDONLaszlo attempts to pickpocket a businessman.
LASZLO TOTHLaszlo attends a service.
LASZLO TOTHLaszlo asks Rabbi Zunz for help.
LASZLO TOTHLaszlo constructs furniture.
LASZLO TOTH, ATTILAAudrey looks at Laszlo's chairs.
LASZLO TOTH, AUDREYLaszlo practices his English.
LASZLO TOTHAttila tells Laszlo about a new customer.
LASZLO TOTH, ATTILALaszlo meets Harry Lee Van Buren.
LASZLO TOTH, ATTILA, HARRY LEE VAN BURENDriving to the Van Buren estate.
Attila complains about Harry Lee's driving.
LASZLO TOTH, ATTILAThey arrive at the estate.
ATTILA, HARRY LEE VAN BURENView of the estate.
Laszlo enters the house.
LASZLO TOTH, ATTILA, HARRY LEE VAN BURENHarry Lee shows Laszlo and Attila the study, discussing renovation plans and budget.
HARRY LEE VAN BUREN, LASZLO TOTH, ATTILALaszlo, Attila, and Audrey drink and dance; Attila praises Laszlo's negotiation skills.
LASZLO TOTH, ATTILA, AUDREYAudrey confronts Laszlo about his living situation and future.
LASZLO TOTH, AUDREYAttila and Laszlo remove old shelving.
ATTILA, LASZLO TOTHAttila and Laszlo craft new units.
ATTILA, LASZLO TOTHLaszlo cleans the room.
LASZLO TOTHLaszlo and hired men install the new panels.
LASZLO TOTH, GORDONLaszlo instructs Gordon and Attila on panel placement.
LASZLO TOTH, GORDON, ATTILAThe crew attempts to lift the glass dome; it shatters.
LASZLO TOTH, ATTILA, GORDONThe stained glass is replaced with a clear disk.
LASZLO TOTHLaszlo and Attila finish the room.
LASZLO TOTH, ATTILAGordon cleans up glass fragments.
GORDONVan Buren enters in a fury, confronting Laszlo and Attila.
HARRISON LEE VAN BUREN SR., ATTILA, LASZLO TOTHAttila tells Laszlo that Van Buren refuses to pay.
LASZLO TOTH, ATTILALaszlo writes a letter to Erzsebet.
LASZLO TOTHHomeless men sweep the floor.
Laszlo wakes up.
LASZLO TOTH, GORDONGordon prepares for work; a nun asks for Laszlo.
GORDON, LASZLO TOTHGordon finds Laszlo using drugs.
GORDON, LASZLO TOTHLaszlo and Gordon discuss the nun's request.
LASZLO TOTH, GORDONVan Buren arrives to see Laszlo.
LASZLO TOTH, GORDON, HARRISON LEE VAN BUREN SR.Van Buren shows Laszlo a magazine feature and pays him.
HARRISON LEE VAN BUREN SR., LASZLO TOTHGordon and Laszlo enjoy the music.
GORDON, LASZLO TOTHLaszlo and Gordon use drugs.
LASZLO TOTH, GORDONThe bar manager kicks Laszlo and Gordon out.
LASZLO TOTH, GORDONLaszlo is beaten by the bar staff.
LASZLO TOTHLaszlo sees Van Buren's car.
LASZLO TOTH, HARRISON LEE VAN BUREN SR.Laszlo sits in the car.
LASZLO TOTHLaszlo attends a Christmas party at the Van Buren estate and is introduced to the family.
LASZLO TOTH, HARRISON LEE VAN BUREN SR., HARRY LEE VAN BUREN, MAGGIE LEELaszlo dines with the Van Burens and the Hoffmans, discussing his past and potential legal help.
LASZLO TOTH, HARRISON LEE VAN BUREN SR., MICHAEL HOFFMAN, char_12Van Buren shares a personal story about his family with Laszlo.
LASZLO TOTH, HARRISON LEE VAN BUREN SR.Van Buren takes his guests to a clearing to announce a new project.
LASZLO TOTH, HARRISON LEE VAN BUREN SR., HARRY LEE VAN BUREN, MAGGIE LEE, MICHAEL HOFFMAN, char_12Laszlo waits for a ride and speaks with Harry Lee.
LASZLO TOTH, HARRY LEE VAN BUREN, MAGGIE LEELaszlo wakes up in the guest house.
LASZLO TOTHLaszlo discusses the project with a hungover Van Buren.
LASZLO TOTH, HARRISON LEE VAN BUREN SR.Laszlo, Harry Lee, and Michael Hoffman discuss the contract and project requirements.
LASZLO TOTH, HARRY LEE VAN BUREN, MICHAEL HOFFMANLaszlo presents architectural models to Van Buren, Harry, and Maggie Lee, demonstrating the chapel's light patterns.
LASZLO TOTH, HARRISON LEE VAN BUREN SR., HARRY LEE VAN BUREN, MAGGIE LEE, LESLIE WOODROWLaszlo and Gordon are woken up by banging on the door while in a drug-induced state.
LASZLO TOTH, GORDONLeslie arrives to collect the model.
LASZLO TOTH, LESLIE WOODROWLaszlo, Leslie, and Gordon present the model to Mayor Kinney and Harry Lee.
LASZLO TOTH, HARRY LEE VAN BUREN, GORDON, LESLIE WOODROWLaszlo gives a public presentation about the project to the townspeople.
LASZLO TOTH, HARRISON LEE VAN BUREN SR., GORDON, LESLIE WOODROWMontage of construction material preparation and Erzsebet's voiceover letter.
ERZSEBET TOTHLaszlo meets Erzsebet and Zsofia as they arrive by train.
LASZLO TOTH, ERZSEBET TOTH, ZSOFIA, MICHAEL HOFFMAN, MAGGIE LEEA dinner is held to welcome Erzsebet and Zsofia.
LASZLO TOTH, ERZSEBET TOTH, ZSOFIA, HARRISON LEE VAN BUREN SR., HARRY LEE VAN BUREN, MICHAEL HOFFMANVan Buren speaks privately with Laszlo about architectural adjustments.
LASZLO TOTH, HARRISON LEE VAN BUREN SR.Laszlo shows Zsofia her room.
LASZLO TOTH, ZSOFIALaszlo helps Erzsebet to bed.
LASZLO TOTH, ERZSEBET TOTHLaszlo presents his new architectural plans to Van Buren and the construction team in the trenches during a rainstorm, leading to a confrontation with Jim Simpson.
LASZLO TOTH, HARRISON LEE VAN BUREN SR., HARRY LEE VAN BUREN, LESLIE WOODROW, MICHAEL HOFFMAN, MAGGIE LEELaszlo and Erzsebet have an intimate and emotional conversation.
LASZLO TOTH, ERZSEBET TOTHVan Buren discusses the project's future and Jim Simpson's status with Mayor Kinney.
HARRISON LEE VAN BUREN SR., char_13Laszlo accidentally walks in on Zsofia and Erzsebet.
LASZLO TOTH, ERZSEBET TOTH, ZSOFIAFor this project, he re-imagined the camp's claustrophobic interior cells with precisely the same dimensions as his own place of imprisonment, save for one electrifying exception; when visitors looked 20 meters upwards, the dramatic heights of the glass above them invited free thought; freedom of identity. He further re-imagined Buchenwald and his wife's venue of imprisonment in Dachau on the same grounds, connected by a myriad of corridors-
What's the height of those things? Six or seven meters also? And did I understand you correctly? 108 meters of surface area for the facade?! That's eleven square feet, If we can afford these materials at all, Mr. Van Buren, Sylacauga Marble ships out of Talladega County and that might be possible if I manage to swing some favors but I can't make any promises.
He's all right. He was too young then to remember much, and I was gone training two years in Arizona before they shipped us all off to Naples, Italy; 92nd Infantry Division. They wouldn't let me back home all that time, not once. Augusta's sister looked after him until I got back. Kept me alive though, knowing he was waiting for me.
Are you sure about this guy? I know Jim lost his temper but he had a few points back there, didn't he? My office is fielding complaints about the plans for this place on a daily basis, more or less! Jim's a Protestant! Gives folks peace of mind. People are worried it's going to ruin the hillside, Harrison.
Hell, what did I expect? You couldn't keep your hands to yourself even when we were kids. Listen up, I won't tell Erzsi this time. I know you've been through a lot. That's what I told Audrey, too. I'm not going to hurt you, but I can't help you anymore either, got it?
I don't see how any of this acknowledges my proposed cuts. We are just spinning our wheels out here. I took ten feet off the height of these damned things and now we are 30 feet underground?! I mean, what is- what are all these new connections between facilities?
I don't see how any of this acknowledges my proposed cuts. We are just spinning our wheels out here. I took ten feet off the height of these damned things and now we are 30 feet underground?! I mean, what is- what are all these new connections between facilities?
Sir, is this really what you imagined? Am I missing something? When Harry called, he described this to me as a personal project. If this is what we ultimately settle on, something of this scale, the timeline would need to be considerably adjusted.
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