2007
Stagnant bank teller Carl Kendall, dumped by his ex for emotional unavailability, transforms his life by committing to say "yes" to every opportunity after attending a seminar. His new lifestyle brings a promotion and a relationship with artist Renee, but also leads to problems like an arrest for drug transport and Renee breaking up with him due to his inability to say "no." Carl confronts the seminar leader, realizing the philosophy is about openness, not obligation, and begins to find balance, eventually quitting his job to open a microloan office. He reunites with Renee in Bangkok and later visits a Nigerian prince he had previously emailed, solidifying his new, balanced approach to life and love.
Save the Cat beat sheet
Carl starts as a closed-off bank employee who begrudgingly attends a “Yes” seminar, then embarks on a year of saying yes to every opportunity.
Open full beat sheetCarl Kendall is listed as Protagonist. A bank teller in his 30s who lives a stagnant, isolated life until he commits to saying 'yes' to everything. In the parsed data, Carl Kendall is connected to 121 scenes, 238 dialogue lines, 242 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
121 scenes / 238 dialogue linesRenee is listed as Love Interest. A quirky, artistic woman who hands out band fliers and eventually becomes Carl's girlfriend. In the parsed data, Renee is connected to 29 scenes, 18 dialogue lines, 18 text mentions, first appearing around scene 37.
29 scenes / 18 dialogue linesPeter is listed as Supporting. Carl's best friend who is engaged to Lucy and tries to push Carl to live a more active life. In the parsed data, Peter is connected to 18 scenes, 32 dialogue lines, 36 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
18 scenes / 32 dialogue linesLucy is listed as Supporting. Peter's girlfriend who is part of Carl's social circle. In the parsed data, Lucy is connected to 18 scenes, 15 dialogue lines, 19 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
18 scenes / 15 dialogue linesNorman Calhoun is listed as Boss. Carl's needy and eccentric boss at Southwest Bank. In the parsed data, Norman Calhoun is connected to 16 scenes, 4 dialogue lines, 4 text mentions, first appearing around scene 11.
16 scenes / 4 dialogue linesRooney is listed as Supporting. A party-loving friend of Carl and Peter. In the parsed data, Rooney is connected to 13 scenes, 8 dialogue lines, 9 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
13 scenes / 8 dialogue linesChris Parker is listed as Antagonist/Boss. The ambitious and corporate-minded new president of Southwest Bank. In the parsed data, Chris Parker is connected to 13 scenes, 6 dialogue lines, 6 text mentions, first appearing around scene 62.
13 scenes / 6 dialogue linesKath is listed as Supporting. Carl's ex-girlfriend who breaks up with him for being emotionless and stagnant. In the parsed data, Kath is connected to 12 scenes, 22 dialogue lines, 27 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
12 scenes / 22 dialogue linesSanji Gupta is listed as Mentor/Antagonist. The charismatic and manipulative leader of the 'Just Say Yes' seminar. In the parsed data, Sanji Gupta is connected to 5 scenes, 36 dialogue lines, 37 text mentions, first appearing around scene 13.
5 scenes / 36 dialogue linesSeb is listed as Supporting. Kath's tall, Nordic boyfriend. In the parsed data, Seb is connected to 4 scenes, 5 dialogue lines, 8 text mentions, first appearing around scene 42.
4 scenes / 5 dialogue linesOmar is listed as Supporting. A man Carl initially thought was a scammer, but meets in person in Nigeria. In the parsed data, Omar is connected to 3 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 7 text mentions, first appearing around scene 49.
3 scenes / 2 dialogue linesAlex Eberts is listed as Supporting. A former bank employee who introduces Carl to the 'Just Say Yes' seminar. In the parsed data, Alex Eberts is connected to 1 scene, 8 dialogue lines, 10 text mentions, first appearing around scene 11.
1 scenes / 8 dialogue linesCarl and Kath have an intense discussion outside a bar where Kath breaks up with him for being emotionless.
Carl Kendall, KathCarl celebrates New Year's with friends but leaves early, leaving them concerned about his emotional state.
Carl Kendall, Peter, Lucy, Rooney, KathCarl returns home, sleeps, and wakes up for work.
Carl KendallCarl gets dressed for work.
Carl KendallCarl walks to work and ignores Renee.
Carl Kendall, ReneeCarl refuses offers from the cashier.
Carl KendallCarl interacts with Norman and receives a spam email.
Carl Kendall, Norman CalhounCarl acts as a greeter and meets the new bank president.
Carl Kendall, Norman Calhoun, Chris ParkerCarl leaves work at 5:00 PM.
Carl Kendall, Norman CalhounCarl receives a call from Peter and declines an invitation.
Carl Kendall, PeterAlex meets Carl and gives him a seminar pamphlet.
Carl Kendall, Norman Calhoun, Alex EbertsPeter confronts Carl about his stagnant life.
Carl Kendall, PeterCarl attends the 'Just Say Yes' seminar.
Carl Kendall, Sanji GuptaCarl agrees to go to brunch.
Carl Kendall, PeterCarl arrives at brunch.
Carl Kendall, Kath, Peter, LucyCarl arrives at brunch to meet Peter, Lucy, and Kath.
Carl Kendall, Peter, Lucy, KathThe group waits for a table and Carl confronts the waitress about seating order.
Carl Kendall, Peter, Lucy, KathCarl orders an excessive amount of food and interacts with the brunch dude.
Carl Kendall, Peter, Lucy, KathCarl gets excessive pepper on his food and receives a call from Norman.
Carl Kendall, Peter, Lucy, Kath, Norman CalhounCarl buys coffee and Munchkins.
Carl KendallCarl meets Renee outside.
Carl Kendall, ReneeCarl arrives at work and shares Munchkins.
Carl Kendall, Norman CalhounCarl helps a customer with a loan.
Carl Kendall, Norman CalhounNorman promotes Carl to the loan desk.
Carl Kendall, Norman CalhounCarl celebrates his promotion with friends.
Carl Kendall, Peter, Lucy, RooneyCarl and Rooney get very drunk.
Carl Kendall, RooneyCarl and Rooney continue drinking and Carl performs karaoke.
Carl Kendall, RooneyCarl leaves with a girl.
Carl Kendall, RooneyCarl wakes up to find the girl leaving.
Carl KendallCarl wakes up hungover after a night with a woman who reveals she has a fiance.
Carl KendallCarl arrives at the seminar room, but it is already packed up.
Carl KendallCarl asks the receptionist for Sanji Gupta's room number.
Carl KendallCarl meets Sanji in his hotel room to discuss his commitment to the 'Yes' lifestyle.
Carl Kendall, Sanji GuptaCarl explains his new lifestyle to Peter and recruits him as his 'Yesponsor'.
Carl Kendall, Peter, Lucy, RooneyCarl wakes up and begins filling out junk mail.
Carl KendallCarl orders coffee and a Coolata.
Carl KendallCarl meets Renee and takes a flier.
Carl Kendall, ReneeCarl handles emails and helps a high school girl with a loan.
Carl Kendall, Norman CalhounCarl attends a Korean language class.
Carl KendallCarl watches Renee's band perform and helps her clear the stage.
Carl Kendall, ReneeCarl helps Renee load her car and agrees to join her photography group.
Carl Kendall, ReneeCarl runs into Kath and her new boyfriend, Seb.
Carl Kendall, Kath, SebCarl has an awkward dinner with Kath and Seb.
Carl Kendall, Kath, SebCarl emails the King of Nigeria and uses a dating site.
Carl KendallCarl joins Renee's photography group.
Carl Kendall, ReneeCarl meets a woman from the dating site and then meets Lucy.
Carl Kendall, LucyCarl helps Lucy pick out invitations.
Carl Kendall, LucyCarl and Lucy shop for wedding invitations while Carl gets overly involved in the planning process.
Carl Kendall, LucyCarl approves various loans, including one for an Arab man and a young girl, before being called into Norman's office.
Carl Kendall, Norman Calhoun, OmarNorman confronts Carl about his microloans but decides to let him spearhead a pilot program.
Carl Kendall, Norman CalhounCarl helps Rooney move a fridge and falls down the stairs.
Carl Kendall, RooneyCarl finishes helping Rooney move, leading into a montage of his 'Yes' lifestyle.
Carl Kendall, RooneyCarl visits Tony, a cult member, and ends up in an awkward sexual encounter.
Carl KendallCarl discusses his 'Yes' lifestyle with Peter.
Carl Kendall, PeterCarl visits Renee's photography gallery and asks her out.
Carl Kendall, ReneeCarl and Renee have dinner and discuss their lives.
Carl Kendall, ReneeCarl and Renee attend Norman's 'Heroes' themed party.
Carl Kendall, Renee, Norman CalhounCarl and Renee arrive at his apartment, which is filled with pets and boxes.
Carl Kendall, ReneeCarl and Renee discuss his bulk purchase of prescription drugs, followed by a romantic moment interrupted by Rooney.
Carl Kendall, Renee, RooneyCarl gives Renee a massage for an extended period until she falls asleep.
Carl Kendall, ReneeCarl approves a loan for a customer and is informed by Norman that the bank president wants to see him.
Carl Kendall, Norman CalhounCarl meets with Chris Parker to discuss his loan performance and is invited on a golf trip.
Carl Kendall, Chris ParkerCarl meets Lucy at the bakery.
Carl Kendall, LucyCarl and Lucy discuss wedding cakes and Carl receives a call about a blood bank appointment.
Carl Kendall, LucyCarl and Lucy have tea and discuss her relationship with Peter.
Carl Kendall, LucyLucy shows Carl a luxury apartment, which he agrees to rent.
Carl Kendall, LucyCarl donates blood while on the phone.
Carl KendallCarl attends a UFO conference and passes out.
Carl KendallCarl arrives late to dinner with his friends and Renee.
Carl Kendall, ReneeCarl and his friends have dinner, where he shows off his new lifestyle.
Carl Kendall, Kath, Peter, Lucy, Renee, SebCarl and Peter discuss their relationship anxieties.
Carl Kendall, PeterCarl and Renee are together before Carl leaves for rollerblading.
Carl Kendall, ReneeCarl rollerblades with a guitar player.
Carl KendallCarl arrives at the golf course and meets the Korean bankers.
Carl Kendall, Chris ParkerCarl plays a disastrous game of golf with the Korean bankers.
Carl Kendall, Chris ParkerCarl talks to a Korean banker after the game.
Carl KendallCarl interacts with a Korean banker, leading to a passionate kiss.
Carl KendallChris Parker promotes Carl to bank manager.
Carl Kendall, Chris ParkerCarl tells Renee about his promotion and they decide to travel.
Carl Kendall, ReneeCarl and Renee buy tickets to Lincoln, Nebraska.
Carl Kendall, ReneeDear Carl. I know this is kind of random, but I thought I should write you. We met at that party at Norman's apartment. I was the INS guy who hated his life and hated you. I just wanted to tell you that I took your advice. I quit my job and have founded a home in Botswana for elderly orangutans. I've never been happier. You told me to say "yes" and it has turned out to be incredible. Thank you. Yours truly, Jason Newmark
You're like a cigarette addict, Carl. Except you're addicted to boredom. On the way in here, Carl, I offered you a coffee and you refused. Perhaps that would have been the most delicious cup of coffee you would have ever had. Who's to say? Not you, Carl, because you said no! Anyone can quit smoking for a day. But for a lifetime? No.
Hey, Carl. Peter here. Long time no see. Sorry to hear you won't be planning our engagement party. Although I guess that makes you less gay than I thought you were. We'll be watching the game at Rudy's tonight, if you're interested.
Where've I been? You mean, where haven't I been? This year. Dude. I have lived. I climbed Mt. Kilmanjaro. I ate bat in Laos. I shot a cow with a bazooka. I'm not proud of that last one but I did it. How's the bank?
Dear Carl, It is vitally important you send me your bank account information. The government will be closing in on my account in the very near future. Your good friend, Omar, Former King of Nigeria.
That's because it's New Year's Eve. You have to be here. Besides, it's not only social stuff. You used to have dreams. You wanted to go to business school, you wanted to work for the World Bank.
I've put my life into the hands of a con artist! And because of you I have this retarded yes branded on my hand for life! This man is a con artist! Don't listen to this man! He is a con artist!
Please, Carl. Do it for me and you will be doing it for yourself. If you don't have the best day in ten years then I am the uncle of a monkey. Will you do it for me Carl? Just for a day?
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