2007
In a world where everyone can only speak the truth, unsuccessful screenwriter Mark Bellison is fired from his job and rejected by his crush, Jennifer McDoogles, due to his perceived shortcomings. After his grandmother falls ill, Mark discovers he can lie, initially using this ability for personal gain, such as getting money and seducing women. However, his most significant lie occurs when he comforts his dying grandmother by inventing a comforting afterlife, which inadvertently leads to him becoming a messianic figure as people seek answers about the unknown. Jennifer, initially drawn to Mark's honesty, struggles with his newfound fame and the implications of his lies, especially when she learns he fabricated the afterlife stories. Ultimately, Jennifer realizes that Mark's lies, while initially selfish, stemmed from a desire to bring comfort and happiness to others, and she leaves her wedding to Rob Marlowe to be with Mark, embracing a future where they can navigate the complexities of truth and invention together.
Save the Cat beat sheet
Mark lives in a world where no one can lie and truth is brutally spoken.
Open full beat sheetMark Bellison is listed as Protagonist. A nerdy, average-looking, unsuccessful screenwriter who discovers the ability to lie. In the parsed data, Mark Bellison is connected to 60 scenes, 123 dialogue lines, 123 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
60 scenes / 123 dialogue linesJennifer McDoogles is listed as Love Interest. A beautiful, successful woman who initially rejects Mark due to his social and financial status. In the parsed data, Jennifer McDoogles is connected to 21 scenes, 41 dialogue lines, 41 text mentions, first appearing around scene 3.
21 scenes / 41 dialogue linesGreg is listed as Supporting. Mark's friend, less attractive and less intelligent than Mark. In the parsed data, Greg is connected to 18 scenes, 14 dialogue lines, 15 text mentions, first appearing around scene 18.
18 scenes / 14 dialogue linesRob Marlowe is listed as Antagonist. A successful, arrogant screenwriter who dislikes Mark. In the parsed data, Rob Marlowe is connected to 6 scenes, 9 dialogue lines, 10 text mentions, first appearing around scene 33.
6 scenes / 9 dialogue linesShelley is listed as Supporting. Mark's receptionist at Lecture Films. In the parsed data, Shelley is connected to 5 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 4 text mentions, first appearing around scene 5.
5 scenes / 3 dialogue linesChief Caveman is listed as Antagonist (Paleolithic). The leader of the caveman village. In the parsed data, Chief Caveman is connected to 4 scenes, 11 dialogue lines, 11 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
4 scenes / 11 dialogue linesAnthony James is listed as Supporting. Mark's boss at Lecture Films, nervous and fearful. In the parsed data, Anthony James is connected to 4 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 6.
4 scenes / 1 dialogue linesMartha Bellison is listed as Supporting. Mark's elderly grandmother. In the parsed data, Martha Bellison is connected to 3 scenes, first appearing around scene 10.
3 scenes / 0 dialogue linesFrank is listed as Supporting. Mark's depressive neighbor. In the parsed data, Frank is connected to 2 scenes, first appearing around scene 27.
2 scenes / 0 dialogue linesThe Chief Caveman holds a meeting to discuss hunting a beast, while the 'loser caveman' is mocked by the tribe.
Chief Caveman, Mark BellisonA giant boar attacks the village, is killed by a falling rock, and the loser caveman lies about his role in the kill.
Mark Bellison, Chief CavemanMark arrives early for a date with Jennifer, leading to an awkward exchange of brutal truths.
Mark Bellison, Jennifer McDooglesMark and Jennifer have dinner, where they continue to speak with complete, unfiltered honesty.
Mark Bellison, Jennifer McDoogles, Anthony JamesMark arrives at work and speaks with his receptionist Shelley about his impending firing.
Mark Bellison, ShelleyAnthony fires Mark, and Mark discovers a rejection email from Jennifer.
Mark Bellison, Anthony JamesMark leaves the office and is confronted by Rob Marlowe.
Mark Bellison, Shelley, Rob MarloweMark arrives at the elderly home to visit his grandmother.
Mark BellisonMark speaks with the receptionist about his grandmother.
Mark BellisonMark visits his grandmother Martha and they discuss their miserable lives.
Mark Bellison, Martha BellisonMark drinks with his friend Greg and complains about his life.
Mark Bellison, GregMark attempts to call Jennifer but hangs up in shame.
Mark Bellison, Jennifer McDooglesMark is evicted by his landlord.
Mark BellisonMark discovers he can lie and successfully withdraws more money than he has.
Mark BellisonMark pays his rent to the landlord using the money he obtained by lying.
Mark BellisonMark celebrates his new ability to lie.
Mark BellisonMark tests his lying ability on Greg and the bartender.
Mark Bellison, GregMark, Greg, and Jim discuss Mark's identity and desires while drinking.
Mark Bellison, Greg, Chief CavemanMark, Greg, and Jim continue drinking and discussing life changes.
Mark Bellison, Greg, Chief CavemanMark attempts to pick up a woman by lying about the world ending.
Mark BellisonMark and the blonde woman arrive at a motel.
Mark BellisonMark feels guilty and calls NASA to stop the panic.
Mark BellisonMark returns to the bar and decides to get money.
Mark Bellison, GregMark and Greg are pulled over by a cop.
Mark Bellison, GregMark and Greg win money at the casino.
Mark Bellison, GregMark and Greg discuss their wealth and the flaw in their plan.
Mark Bellison, GregMark talks his neighbor Frank out of suicide.
Mark Bellison, FrankMark writes a letter about his discovery and performs good deeds.
Mark Bellison, FrankMark calls Jennifer to ask her out again.
Mark Bellison, Jennifer McDooglesMark calls Jennifer to ask her on a date, eventually convincing her to go out with him.
Mark Bellison, Jennifer McDooglesMark watches a movie trailer on TV featuring Rob Marlowe and Angelo Badsmith, which inspires him to write a new script.
Mark Bellison, Rob MarloweMark arrives at work and intentionally makes his manuscript look old and dirty.
Mark BellisonMark walks through the office, encounters Shelley and Rob, and enters Anthony James's office.
Mark Bellison, Anthony James, Shelley, Rob MarloweMark pitches his script to Anthony and the rest of the staff, who are enthralled.
Mark Bellison, Anthony James, Shelley, Rob MarloweMark and Jennifer have dinner; Mark discusses his family and his feelings for her.
Mark Bellison, Jennifer McDooglesMark visits his dying grandmother and comforts her by lying about the afterlife.
Mark Bellison, Martha BellisonMark and Jennifer spend the night together on her couch.
Mark Bellison, Jennifer McDooglesMark returns home to find a crowd of people waiting for him, wanting to know about the afterlife.
Mark BellisonMark is confronted by a crowd and a nurse demanding answers about his claims regarding the afterlife.
Mark Bellison, ShelleyMark discovers the media frenzy and talks to Jennifer on the phone.
Mark Bellison, Jennifer McDooglesJennifer arrives at Mark's building to meet him.
Mark Bellison, Jennifer McDooglesMark and Jennifer discuss the truth about what he told his grandmother.
Mark Bellison, Jennifer McDooglesA massive crowd gathers outside waiting for Mark.
Greg visits Mark while he works on his announcement.
Mark Bellison, Jennifer McDoogles, GregMark prepares to go out and make his announcement.
Mark Bellison, Jennifer McDoogles, GregMark prepares his notes on pizza boxes.
Mark Bellison, Jennifer McDoogles, GregMark addresses the massive crowd.
Mark Bellison, Jennifer McDoogles, GregMark, Jennifer, and Greg return inside after the announcement.
Mark Bellison, Jennifer McDoogles, GregTwo months later, Mark is disheveled and dictating stories to an assistant.
Mark Bellison, Jennifer McDooglesMark reviews a script with his assistant, then discusses his life and feelings with Jennifer.
Mark Bellison, Jennifer McDooglesMark and Greg get drunk and mock the neighbors, then Mark gets an idea about warning labels.
Mark Bellison, GregMark pitches his new advertising strategy to executives.
Mark BellisonShoppers react positively to the new product labels.
Mark and Greg discuss the world's reaction to the new products.
Mark Bellison, GregMark observes the changes in society while driving.
Mark BellisonMark visits his grandmother's grave and reflects on his loneliness.
Mark Bellison, Martha BellisonJennifer visits Mark to invite him to her wedding.
Mark Bellison, Jennifer McDooglesMark prepares for the wedding.
Mark Bellison, GregMark and Greg arrive at the church.
Mark Bellison, GregThe wedding ceremony begins.
Mark Bellison, Jennifer McDoogles, Rob MarloweDuring their wedding ceremony, Jennifer questions Rob's perception of her eye color, leading to a realization. Mark interrupts the ceremony to object, then leaves.
Mark Bellison, Jennifer McDoogles, Rob MarloweMark and Jennifer talk outside the church. Jennifer questions Mark about his lies and the nature of his 'invention'. They reconcile.
Mark Bellison, Jennifer McDoogles, GregMy grandmother was dying, and she was terrified, shaking all over. She didn't want to just become nothingness. So I told her that when she died there wouldn't be nothingness. That she would be with all of the people she loved who had died and that she would live an eternity of joy and happiness.
Hello? Yes, I'm with him right now. No, not very attractive. No, doesn't make much money. He's all right though. Seems nice. Kind of funny. A bit fat. Funny little snub nose. No, I won't be sleeping with him tonight. Nope, probably not even a kiss. Okay, you too. Bye.
Come to beg for your old job back? Hey everybody, here's the loser who thought the Black Plague would make for an interesting film. Good luck, douche bag. Freaking loser.
Hi Mark. Everyday I realize more and more how over-qualified I am for this position and how incompetent you are at yours.
What's going on out here? Everyone's just sitting in there. Are we gonna finish this wedding?
Guys, if you had the power to make things the way you wanted them, what would you do first?
You owe us an explanation. If you know something this important, you better tell us all.
Because of the whole snub nosed thing. With kids, your genetics. You know, fat, short...
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