Introduction
1.
“Get a Life” Gladiator • David Franzoni
2.
Scripter: Long Island Lolita was My Muse! American Beauty • Alan Ball
3.
“I Didn‘t Think this was Really Going to Happen” Random Hearts • Kurt Luedtke
4.
“It‘s Two People; Nothing Happens” Lost in Translation • Sofia Coppola
5.
“Gotta Stay on this Job” Black Hawk Down • Ken Nolan
6.
“Let‘s Shoot Big” Troy • David Benioff
7.
The Anti-Troy Hero • Zhang Yimou
8.
“Can I Write Midnight Cowboy?” Pay It Forward • Leslie Dixon
9.
“Every Good Story is a Love Story” Erin Brockovich • Susannah Grant
10.
Sith, Schmith. Thanks for all the Fish The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy • Karey Kirkpatrick
11.
Roll Over, Cary Grant My Best Friend’s Wedding • Ron Bass
12.
Life‘s Two Tragedies Mona Lisa Smile • Lawrence Konner & Mark Rosenthal
13.
“It‘s Difficult Talking to Idiots” Bounce • Don Roos
14.
Great Science Fiction—But Don‘t Tell Anyone Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind • Charlie Kaufman
15.
Slaves to Desire Happiness • Todd Solondz
16.
Sex Ain‘t What It Used to Be A Dirty Shame • John Waters
17.
“If You Talk to Earl, Tell him to Call Me” Witness • Bill Kelley & Earl W. Wallace
18.
The Best Script that couldn‘t Get Made Monster’s Ball • Milo Addica & Will Rokos
19.
The Golden Lion, Sure. But Did She Get An “A”? Monsoon Wedding • Sabrina Dhawan
20.
Protecting Howard The Aviator • John Logan
21.
Chance, Fate, and Homework A Simple Plan • Scott Smith
22.
No Similar Movies The Hours • David Hare
23.
Good Work Fails Sometimes Evening. Susan Minot & Michael Cunningham
24.
The Return of the (Spec) King Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang • Shane Black
25.
“All You Need is One Person to Believe in You” The Caveman’s Valentine • George Dawes Green
Acknowledgments
Searchable Terms
About the Author
Credits
Copyright
About the Publisher