Save the Cat rankings

THE LAST SONG script analysis

THE LAST SONG script - Save the Cat beat sheet analysis

Teenager Ronnie arrives at her estranged father Steve’s beach house after her parents’ divorce. She clashes with Steve and local teens, meets neighbor Will, and slowly opens up through helping with turtle nests and rebuilding a burned church window. Their budding romance faces conflicts with her anger, legal troubles, and Steve’s health crisis, culminating in reconciliation and Ronnie returning to New York inspired by her summer growth.

45 Save the Cat fit score 12% analysis confidence / 146 parsed scenes

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1

Opening Image

Scene 1 / Page 1 / 1% target

10%

Young Ronnie performs at Carnegie Hall, establishing her background and contrast with her summer setting.

2

Theme Stated

Scene 3 / Page 1 / 5% target

11%

Kim tells Ronnie she needs to give her father a chance, hinting at forgiveness and family healing.

Your dad is a good man and he loves you. You need to give him a chance.
3

Set-Up

Scenes 1-7 / Page 1 / 10% target

10%

We see Ronnie’s talent, family dynamics, move to her dad’s house, and initial tensions in the car and reunion.

4

Catalyst

Scene 4 / 12% target

10%

The church fire occurs, showing community crisis and giving Steve work to rebuild, which involves Ronnie later.

What the hell did you do?
5

Debate

Scenes 12-16 / 20% target

10%

Ronnie debates playing piano for her father, expresses anger, and fights with him over overprotection and the bars on her window.

Bars on the window? Like I'm supposed to be your prisoner?
6

Break into Two

Scene 15 / 25% target

10%

Ronnie’s collision with Will at volleyball marks her entry into the new ‘upside-down’ world and meeting her love interest.

Just ... Let go of me.
7

B Story

Scene 18 / 30% target

10%

Steve bonds with Jonah in his workshop, establishing the father–son subplot that parallels Ronnie’s relationship with her dad.

I can teach you how if you want to learn. I'd love the help.
8

Fun and Games

Scenes 28-34 / 40% target

10%

Ronnie explores beach life: meets Blaze, hangs with Marcus, late nights cause conflict at home, and turtle nesting begins.

9

Midpoint

Scenes 55-56 / 50% target

10%

Ronnie saves the turtle nest from a raccoon, showing her commitment and emotional investment—stakes are personal.

10

Bad Guys Close In

Scenes 73-80 / 65% target

10%

Ronnie runs away, returns to confront fears: packing her bags, family pressure to talk to Will, and argument about her past with her father.

11

All Is Lost

Scenes 81-83 / 75% target

10%

Ronnie’s conflict peaks when she apologizes awkwardly, sees Marcus and Blaze again, and threatens to leave—feeling isolated.

12

Dark Night of the Soul

Scene 112 / 80% target

10%

During the stained-glass workshop, Ronnie questions the value of the church window project, mirroring her doubt about her summer transformation.

What does it matter?
13

Break into Three

Scenes 180-183 / 85% target

10%

Steve’s terminal condition and reading of his last letters galvanize Ronnie to act on her love and forgive her father.

I don't even know how to start a letter like this, other than to say I love you...
14

Finale

Scenes 197-200 / 95% target

10%

Ronnie plays at her father’s funeral and reconciles with Will afterward, demonstrating emotional growth and closure.

15

Final Image

Scene 206 / 99% target

10%

At Juilliard, Ronnie reunites with Will in New York, reflecting her journey from resistance to openness.

I hate the way it ended between us.