Week 3 Day 1: Margaret and Andrew Character Structure — THE PROPOSAL

[Sherry Miller]

Character Structure:
Andrew’s Journey: Intro: The Proposal begins with chaos. Andrew’s alarm clock goes off late. He’s rushing around. Clearly he’s dedicated to work and doing a good job. And he’s afraid at the moment. Being late is an issue at this job. More than most. Because he slams into coffee vendor and gets it all over his shirt. It’s disorderly. He makes it to his desk just as his BOSS arrives. Wound: He’s given up on a love back home and isn’t interested in romance right now. Act I, turning point: He asks for weekend off for a family event. His boss who contributes to chaos as she rushes in, turns his request down. He peeks into boss’s office for consult and is pulled into a lie. He’s tricked into marrying his boss. Midpoint: Journey really begins. He’s in Alaska with his boss and relatives for a birthday. Soon his family thinks they’re getting married. A real complication. With cause and effect. He wants out. The family plans a more immediate wedding. In Alaska! Now Andrew must lie even more and pretend. Act 2: Change, Turning point. The family coaxes them into a kiss, a real kiss. And it’s magic. They connect. Andrew’s old girlfriend, however, shows up to complicate matters. There’s a change. And he’s more in charge than his boss. Climax: They are forced to tell the truth just as Andrew is showing interest in his boss and he’s conflicted between two women. His boss, Margaret has loosened up a little showing the real person underneath. (famous dancing scene instigated by Betty White) Capable of love and telling the truth. they both head back home. No wedding. Ending: Andrew realizes he does love Margaret and actually proposes for real. And, of course, the infamous kiss.
Margaret’s Journey: We’re introduced to a frantic Margaret, so ambitious, she will do anything to advance at her job. Must be wounded because whe wants nothing to do with men or marriage. Turning Point: Her board calls her to a meeting where she finds her Visa is a problem and she’ll be deported. She gets the brainy idea to marry someone to keep her job. Andrew appears and she nabs him as her lover, fiance. He’s reluctant, but she’s ready to fire him if he doesn’t comply. Midpoint: In Alaska with family complications. Many humorous moments where they taunt each other but pretend to be happy together. Turning Point: The infamous kiss that reveals they may spark, be in love. Margaret finds out more about herself and feelings. Climax: She has grown to love this family and must tell the truth. Consequences are harsh but also promising. There’s disbelief, anger, sadness. Ending: Another kiss and a very out-in-the-open proposal reversed. At the office. She’s less of a tyrranical boss. He’s ready to advance in work and love. Such a fun movie!

[Sherry Miller]

Quickly, to comment on Silence of the Lambs. Clarice is fierce, determined, strong, cautious, has good instincts, but suffers insecurities (saw lambs slaughtered when a young girl, an injustice, will fight for justice). As a rookie FBI agent, she must help hunt a serial killer. To understand the worst of a pyshopath, she’s sent to interview Hannibal Lector, a monster killer. The interview is the first turning point. She’s warned to “not let him get in her head.” He’s such a monster, he does dominate her thoughts. It takes great will to get past that. Lector’s stare is freaky. He taunts, is sure of himself, has no emotion while a master of other’s emotion. He performs, playacts, never feels. He’s spooky. And won’t ever stop. Clarice goes after Buffalo Bill. Turning point: FBI goes to wrong house. Clarice is at right house confronting the serial killer where he harbors his next victim, still alive. Stakes are high. Clarice is in the dark while he’s wearing night goggles and can see her. Climax: Confrontation. Clarice kills him. Ending: Hannibal Lector has his own agenda. He fools everyone, gets into her head, yet still helps her get Buffalo Bill. Final Turning Point: Hannibal escapes. Climax: He contacts Clarice, says he’s not planning to harm her, tells her who he’s going to kill next. In the Bahamas. Ending: Clarice may’ve gotten the serial killer but is troubled. Hannibal Lector will remain in her head. Perhaps there should’ve been a 2nd movie where she finds the escapee, Lector.