Check out his thoughts from this interview on creating a memorable movie ending:
"The most satisfying, and therefore talked about, Story Climaxes tend to be those in which the writer has saved one last rush of insight that sends the audience's mind back through the entire story. In a sudden flash of insight the audience realizes a profound truth that was buried under the surface of character, world and event. The whole reality of the story is instantly reconfigured. This insight not only brings a flood of new understanding, but with that, a deeply satisfying emotion. As a recent example: the superb Climax of Gran Torino."A few more examples of films that do this exceptionally well:
Unforgiven: The protagonist with whom we most identify, turns out (when provoked) to have the ruthless, merciless heart of a monster.
Schindler's List: The protagonist, though he is an amoral, philandering profiteer, turns out to have a brave and profoundly compassionate side which aids in the saving of thousands.
The Godfather: The protagonist, by losing his humanity, ends up becoming the exact thing he swore he would never be--a ruthless murderer and power-monger; the very image of his father.
The Empire Strikes Back: The hero attempts to take revenge on the main villain for the murder of his father, but discovers instead that the villain is his father.
It's a Wonderful Life: George Bailey, depressed and suicidal over an apparently unfulfilled life, is shocked to discover that he really is, in a sense, "the wealthiest man in town."
The Wizard of Oz: Dorothy, whose quest throughout the entire story is to find a way home, realizes that she has had the power to go home all along.
The Neverending Story: The child Bastian discovers that he is the very creator of the world he has read about, dreamed about, and longed for.
The Terminator: The time-traveling hero not only saves the mother of the future savior of humanity, but is revealed to be his father as well.
The Matrix: Neo becomes enlightened, is revealed to be the new messiah, and finally sees the world of the Matrix as it really is.
Blade Runner: The ruthless, inhuman villain is revealed to possess a compassionate heart after all--more compassionate, in fact, than the hero, whom he saves in a profound, surprising, and dramatic moment.
Stay tuned during the next few days for some posts on story structuring.
This is a great post, but certainly one of those "easier said than done things" It's like saying...
ReplyDelete"Great basketball players usually jump from the free throw line and dunk on the best defender to prove their skill." LOL.
But It's a great goal to have in mind.
I totally agree--easier said than done!
ReplyDeleteI do think it's good to keep the goal in mind, however. So often writers--even successful screenwriters, judging by some of Hollywood's current product--think that the greatest ending is merely one that is action or drama packed. A huge battle culminating in the villain's destruction may satisfy some, but it is not the great ending with the "flash of insight" that McKee is talking about. I think we've all known what it is deep down inside, but it's helpful (to me at least) to see it in print and remind myself of it while I'm writing.