In a post on Killzone, James Scott Bell identifies story elements writers can learn from the classic film Now, Voyager.
If you haven’t seen it, the plot follows Charlotte Vale (Bette Davis), a dowdy woman who has spent years being browbeaten by her mother. When given the opportunity to get out from under this abuse, Charlotte blossoms into a beautiful, confident woman. Bell ID’s the following lessons from the film:
- Sympathy for the Lead. The movie sets up Charlotte as an underdog, withering under the emotional abuse of her controlling mother.
- Disturbance. The movie begins by contrasting Charlotte, who is on the verge of a nervous breakdown, with her vivacious niece. Charlotte’s sister-in-law introduces her to her psychiatrist, who suggests Charlotte needs a rest at his sanitarium. Thus, the film introduces Charlotte already on the verge of psychological death, and immediately creates a scenario that pushes her out of the normal world.
- Point of No Return. After leaving the sanitarium, Charlotte takes a cruise, where she meets a man with whom she falls in love. Unfortunately, he is married, creating the obstacle that carries the movie through the rest of the run time.
- The Mirror Moment. Because she cannot have a relationship with a married man, Charlotte goes home to face her mother, who tries to establish dominance once again. Charlotte isn’t sure whether she can stand up to her mother or whether she will survive the experience, until a bouquet arrives from her love interest. Reminded of her true strength, Charlotte is able to withstand her mother’s attacks.
