A monster calls is a dark/fantasy/serious coming of age story about a young boy coping with his mother’s terminal illness, though a huge tree monster. Directed by J. A. Bayona and written by Patrick Ness, based on his novel of the same name. Screenplay by Patrick Ness.
l really enjoyed monster calls. what a powerful movie. The animated sequences especially stood out to me, I wasn’t surprised to find that the Visual Development artist was Alexis Liddell, a French artist largely responsible for the look of the animated sequences in the final harry potter film. his blog is:
In terms of the story, it had loads of heart. The cast was totally all-star. the lead boy, Conor, was so compelling. It felt like it understood emotion, and loss, and all of the feelings that no child should ever have to go through. The metaphor for losing his mother was… it was intense. “ I let her go” was unexpected. The lessons he learns, “humans are complicated beasts.” is a valuable lesson for all ages. In terms of filmmaking, I loved the moments you could feel. Shots that felt textured and tangible. Moments that felt nostalgic, like his mother finding the projector and the animation machine, and with Conor exploring and touching all the treasures in the house.
Opening image: Connor waking up from a horrible nightmare, showing him losing his mother.
Theme Stated: “the truth will be what he hides and is most afraid of that he dreams of. “
Set up: He’s a very troubled boy. He doesn’t want to open up to teachers who reach out, and he has trouble at school socially, from bullies. In addition to his mother’s suspected fatal illness. typical day.
Catalyst: Introduction of the tree monster, who introduces the story’s premise. he will be told stories, and then he will finally tell the fourth one in return.
Debate: Conor doubts the tree monster, doubts the stories, chalks it all up to a stupid dream.
Break into two: “go on then” Conor agrees to listen to the story, and we are transported into the magical and whimsical animated story world.
B story: would the b story be the stories the tree monster tells? or Connor’s relationship with his dad, or grandmother?
Fun and Games: Living at his grandmother’s house, drawing more. Seeing his dad again, having fun then.
Midpoint: The second story. Conor destroys his grandmother’s house.
Bad Guys Close in: his dad leaving, his mother still sick, the bullying gets worse. connor snaps, and now is in trouble with the principal.
all is lost: The medicine isn’t working, again. Conor can see how sick his mother looks. (his nightmare comes true, he admits that sometimes he wishes it was all over. he lets go, because it hurts.)
Dark night of the soul: Conor arguing with the giant.
break into three: his mother validates his feelings. she tells him everything will be ok, she knows everything he needs to tell her already. break things, and I’ll be right there with you.
finale: his mother’s final moments. he tells her, “I don’t want you to go.” she passes at 12:07. “it ends with him finally holding on to his mother, (even though it hurts.) and by doing so, he can finally let her go.”
final image: Connor finds the drawings his mother made as a child, of the stories he heard from the giant. he makes the connection. She’s right there with him, through the drawings.
I also found this: https://gointothestory.blcklst.com/how-to-read-a-screenplay-parts-1-7-3c5b51ecee15
highly useful.
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