My impression of the script: Very good.

Style was clean, short, and no big diatribe or speech at the end.

When I saw the total page count at 131 pages, I almost bailed. Fast read though.

The hook with the DOUBLE was set early on.

The script wasn’t filled with ballet jargon or other pretentions.

It wasn’t a compelling read since everyone was so whiney, mysterious, or not interesting.

Whoever plays Lillie has a fun role for an actor. Nina’s choice as the lead was a bit of stretch. I’d have to see how Portman does this in the film.

If this came across my desk, I’d say NO. Mostly because I wouldn’ t have been able to imagine how to do it.

Netflix doesn’t arrive until Tuesday.

I saw the movie when it was first released to theatres. I read the script over the past week. I enjoyed both and think it’s a great film to do this with.

My initial thoughts on the scripts was how well done the double/doppelganger/Lilli angle was so well written. I would love to know how many drafts were done before this was nailed so tight. It could so easily have been a confusing mess. It’s written so simply that makes it clear and incredibly effective.  

I think Sandra has already mentioned how well the show/don’t tell devices work so well. One of my fave’s was the scene with the card swopping of the flowers in the hospital.  Nina’s insecurity -- no dialogue needed and more effective because of it. The scripts full of this stuff and what sets apart from most of the scripts I read. Another example is the electronic dolls in the subway.

When I saw the film there were a couple of scenes that I thought nearly let the rest of the movie down. The most obvious to me was the scene in the room with all the press clipping and photographs – when the eyes start moving. Watching the movie I had to stifle a giggle because they way it was shot was really lame. I thought it was funny. I may be in the minority, here. In the script it was a lot more effective.  

Some of the more surreal elements were better in the script than they were in the film. The whole swan neck/monstrous element slightly let the film down for me. It’s still a very good film despite my minor quibbles. The best praise I can give the movie and the script is that it deals with mental health issues, which is very rare for a film thats gets a theatrical release.  

Another initial thought I had when I read the script was how small the Beth character was in contrast to the film. Again, I may be in the minority here but I thought Winona Ryder stole the movie from Portman and Kunis. I thought she teared up the screen. She was brilliant.

I have to agree about the room full of her mom's art.  It was almost like a cartoon for a second and did not hold up well to the script or even the tone of the rest of the movie.   Some of them looked like OH NO MR. BILL!  LOL

Good point.

Getting close on the script...88 pages in.

This will be an interesting discussion, as I can tell I'm going to be on my own little island, as usual.

I'm shocked people say this is a breezy, easy read.  I feel just the opposite,  It's a true slog...it's so damn slow, dull, and uneventful.  hard to root for any of the characters, as they're all so ugly, and boring, except for Lily.

This script is peppered with so many mistakes, also.  I can see why it clocks in at over 130 pages, as it's so overwritten, jam packed with useless asides and unfilmables, as well as an insane amount of wrylies.  I'll go out on a limb and say this shouldn't be over 110 pages, and based on the actual film, that seems to make sense.

I'll power through it, but I'm so far from impressed.  I'll try and be nice and play along...

Quoted from dmc2011 I have to agree about the room full of her mom's art.  It was almost like a cartoon for a second and did not hold up well to the script or even the tone of the rest of the movie.   Some of them looked like OH NO MR. BILL!  LOL Good point.

I'm going to be watching the movie a second time this evening so that I can give my opinion on that scene. I remember the scene, but I don't remember thinking it was silly or out of place. Remember, we're seeing this through the distortion of Nina's POV. We know that really good writing comes from truth and a lot of times personal experience. I personally know a woman who is very paranoid. I also know that more than likely, it's due to a lupus like condition as she has extreme bent arthritic fingers. It's no laughing matter. She's alone since her companion passed away and she's very sick with only a small dog for company. That dog, is very old.

I know it's fun sometimes to joke around and make fun of serious subjects. Especially if we do about ourselves-- helps us out, but I know that since this was such a seriously toned piece... I believe the writers were truly trying to say a lot without saying a lot by capturing and keeping that emotional tone throughout. I just can't joke about this film because truly, I'd feel like I was
being as if blasphemous, if that makes any sense.

Anyways, yes, will be watching this tonight and you know what?

I have washed a white ceramic swan I had painted and glazed several
years ago, shined her up and placed her on the shelf in my magic room--
my tribute to the movie.  

Sandra

Quoted from Dreamscale This script is peppered with so many mistakes, also.  I can see why it clocks in at over 130 pages, as it's so overwritten, jam packed with useless asides and unfilmables, as well as an insane amount of wrylies.  I'll go out on a limb and say this shouldn't be over 110 pages, and based on the actual film, that seems to make sense. I'll power through it, but I'm so far from impressed.  I'll try and be nice and play along...

I won't pretend that I didn't see some glaring errors or unfilmables, but as has been mentioned, the story (you may not think so I know) is good and I loved watching what the director and actors did with the whole thing.

The script I think is always just the beginning of a wonderful creative process and we can see this happening here.

Sandra

Sandra, I in no way was implying that this was not a good or poigniant scene. Oh the contrary.  I am just thinking that the actual filming of it... well, sucked.

It was cartoonie and imho could have been done more better, darker more surreal and scary.  Now the end when she became a the black swan was lovely, why didn't they use that technique?

I think the scene is more than valid, just not done well at all.

MORE BETTER.. OH MY.  
LOL

Yes, I agree with dmc. My points on that scene were about the actual filming of it. On the page it was fine. The application of it in-camera was the problem for me.

Quoted from dmc2011 Sandra, I in no way was implying that this was not a good or poigniant scene. Oh the contrary.  I am just thinking that the actual filming of it... well, sucked. It was cartoonie and imho could have been done more better, darker more surreal and scary.  Now the end when she became a the black swan was lovely, why didn't they use that technique? I think the scene is more than valid, just not done well at all.

This is good to hear this from you because I will learn to see what you are referring to here. I'm about to sit down and watch it now. I will stay posted. I know I will learn a lot from the comments as we move along.

Thanks so much.

Sandra

OK, done wit the script...lots to say and throw out, but I'll most likely wait till tomorrow night or Tuesday, as it is a Holiday.

IMO, this is not a great script in any way, nor is it a well written Spec Script.  I'll go into more detail later.

The filmed version is much, much better, but still, IMO, a very dull, uneventful, "little" movie.

Hey guys and gals. Sorry for not being on the ball on this but something important came about today that I could not skip. In other words, I still haven't finished the script myself, but I'm delighted to see so many people taking part. With first impression put down, are we ready to move on to structure and plot?




I will catch up tomorrow I swear!!!!!  

Jeff, do you think Rear Window is a small movie?  Just curious.

Quoted from Grandma Bear Hey guys and gals. Sorry for not being on the ball on this but something important came about today that I could not skip. In other words, I still haven't finished the script myself, but I'm delighted to see so many people taking part. With first impression put down, are we ready to move on to structure and plot? I will catch up tomorrow I swear!!!!!   Jeff, do you think Rear Window is a small movie?  Just curious.

Perhaps we can wait? In the past, these things have moved so quickly and Jeff wants to wait for a bit I think and it will give some others an opportunity to jump in.

Sandra

That's fine with me Sandra. Gives me a chance to catch up tomorrow.  

Don't wait on me, but it seems like we only have a handful of peeps who have jumped in and several haven't read the scrip or seen the movie.

Pia, I can't rally comment on Rear Window, as I'm not even sure if I've seen the entire thing, and if I did, it was many, many years ago.

When I say "small" I mean several things...first of all, there's really nothing at stake here, the most is Nina's sanity, and I guess as it turns out, her life, but that's it.  Also, it's confined to so few settings and characters (that matter) even.  There's very little of relevance that goes down.

To me, that's a "small" movie, script, concept.