Free Save the Cat Goes to the Movies by Blake Snyder Page B

personal effects he came in with: a tuxedo and a wedding ring. What would a “man” do? We’ll see. George shows up in Hollywood where Rusty Ryan (Brad Pitt), his long-time partner in crime, is teaching poker to movie stars. Brad has gone to seed; he’s bored and ready for adventure. And despite the result of their last caper, which landed George in prison, seeing George reinvigorates Brad.
    Catalyst: George lays out the plan for Brad: a casino heist in Las Vegas — not just any heist, the king magilla raid of all time. It’s crazy but Brad is intrigued. And yes, for those who look for such things, the blueprint of the casino they’ll rob
does
resemble a penis.
    Theme Stated: Brad has to know why George wants to pull off this caper. George gives a fast answer: “The house always wins … unless, when that perfect hand comes along you bet big and then take the house.” Brad isn’t quite buying, but agrees to go along.
    Debate: Can they do it? Elliott Gould as Las Vegas kingpin Reuben Tishkoff tells them — and us — how crazy it is to rob a casino. No one has
ever
done it. Then he hears who the target is: owner Terry Benedict (Andy Garcia). Like George, Elliott had his manhood stolen by Andy, who tears down old casinos to build new ones that make gobs of money. He took Elliott’s hotel along the way. Backed by Elliott, George and Brad set about to collect the rest of the team, each witha different skill required to pull off this amazing feat. It helps that when we meet Ocean’s Eleven, theirs are the best heist film intro scenes since
The Hot Rock
: Saul Bloom (Carl Reiner) has hung up his con man shoes; he is old school hoping he still has game. Others like Linus Caldwell (Matt Damon) are young up-and-comers in the heist biz; Matt has to prove himself to his father, also a crook.
    Break into Two: At Minute 30, all are gathered at Elliott’s place. “You’re Bobby Caldwell’s kid from Chicago,” Elliott says to Matt. “Yeah,” Matt blinks. “That’s wonderful,” Elliott replies. “Get in the goddamn house.” There’s no more debating. They’re all in.
    Fun and Games: Now the plan is unveiled — yet we will know only a part of it. The “fun” of any heist movie is based on three things: (1) showing how the team plans on robbing the bank, (2) showing how the plan gets screwed up and, (3) keeping some of the caper’s details hidden from the audience. This part of the movie also includes demonstrations of the team’s skills. Bernie Mac is hilarious as he turns a conversation about skin care into the purchase of some vans the gang needs; likewise, diminutive Shaobo Qin shows acrobatic pluck. As the surveillance wiz, Livingston Dell (Eddie Jemison) is their nervous techie. This is why we came to see this movie: the thrill of watching these diverse characters circle the bank.
    Midpoint: The “stakes are raised” and the Fun and Games end when we meet Andy Garcia and learn that casino owner Terry Benedict is robotic, ruthless, and feared by all. And if that weren’t enough, we now have the complication of … The Girl.
    B Story: We thought up till now that this was only about money. Then Tess (Julia Roberts) walks in. And though Julia’s actual walk is a little clunky, her entrance raises the degree of difficulty of the heist. We learn Julia is dating Andy; she left George while he was in prison and found a new guy —
this
guy. When Brad discovers that Julia is involved, George admits there is more than money atstake. Now the real theme is revealed in a reprise of their earlier conversation; George admits why he’s doing this. “I lost something,” he tells Brad. Was it something shaped like a
penis?!
Well, yes, that too. But now they’re stealing gold
and
a girl. Which will George choose if forced?
    Bad Guys Close In: Whether connected to Julia or not, “road apples” start popping up everywhere. The electric whammy that “Basher” (Don Cheadle) was planning to use is kaput. On top of