The art of making characters come alive through what they say and how they say it. And also through what they don’t say. And also from that elusive and often over-used word…from the conflict between them.
From the film “The Notebook” by Nick Cassavetes (2004), screenplay by Jeremy Leven, adapted from the novel by Nicholas Sparks.
EXT. OCEAN – DAY
ALLIE is in the water, frolicking; NOAH watches her from the shore.
ALLIE
Do you think in another life I could have been a bird?
NOAH
What do you mean?
ALLIE
Like reincarnation.
NOAH
I don’t know.
ALLIE
I think I could. Say I’m a bird.
NOAH
No. Don’t do it.
ALLIE
Say I’m a bird.
NOAH
Stop it. Stop it now. You’re not.
ALLIE
Say it!
NOAH
You’re a bird.
ALLIE
Yeah. Now say you’re a bird too.
NOAH
If you’re a bird, I’m a bird.
Ruminations in the Multiverse 