Q&A Episode | January 2020

Loved the discussion on endings, and it really got me thinking. I love the ending to Hunt for the Wilderpeople and how even as it's clearly winding down it takes it's time answering dramatic questions, leaving possibly the most important question until the very final moments. As the movie heads toward it's end we're asking "will they elude capture?" which (spoilers) gets a solid "no" for an answer. Then though we're left wondering "will Ricky be ok?" In the closing scene we find out who he's living with and realize he's now probably materially speaking more ok than he's been in the whole movie. But then even with that question answered, the movie reminds me there's one question I'm still deeply deeply invested in: "what about the relationship between Ricky and the father figure?" (especially since that relationship took a turn for the worse during the climax). Even though, the "main plot" has been resolved and you could maybe say we're in epilog territory, the movie has done the work so that I really want that relationship to work out and am hanging on until the final moments to find out how that'll go. Then the answer that it does give leave me excited for the possibility of what these two characters could get up to next. I definitely thought the ending was a little silly at first (but so is the whole movie if we're being honest) but after processing it (especially in light of this convo) I definitely feel it's one of my favorite movie endings for how it leaves me with questions I'm invested in right up until the end and then sends me off energized (in a weird sort of way).

Zac Seehusen-Besky

To the script v final product question, one that comes to mind for me in a round about related way would be A Simple Favor. I generally ended up liking the movie though I felt very strange about it because directorially(spelling?) and editorially I thought it was a complete mess but the story and performances were so strong that they some how managed to overshadow how the whole thing was put together. So I guess that could be an example of a script so strong that even shoddy filmmaking wasn't able to ruin it.

Thank you for the great answers! :) - I sometimes consult companies on marketing and storytelling and borrow heavily from screenwriting principles to transfer the advice. Totally agree on the NIN campaign in particular - that was a fantastic execution.

Yes! Agreed! —MT

Beyond the Screenplay

One of the all-time great endings is Good Will Hunting. Gets me right in the feels every time.