Film Noir script for ‘Le Mortel Liaison’
PROLOGUE
<echo, reverb sounds>
MATT:
‘’I cant help it, I love her!’’
LUKE:
‘’Not like I do!’’
(gun shot)
TITLE SEQUENCING – (Exterior shots of area)
~~~~~
ACT 1
~~~~~
SCENE 1
Montage of Luke getting ready.
Mirror – steamed up, clearing. Cutting between Luke and Emilie getting ready.
- Cutting face with shaver.
- Pouring water, spilling.
- Burning toast.
Emilie is getting ready. Focus on pendant on the table. Mirror shot of her putting it on. Luke approaches from behind. Focus on feet, low angle shot.
LUKE:
(into mirror) ‘’I’m going.’’
EMILIE:
‘’Nervous?’’
LUKE:
‘’Why should I be?’’
EMILIE:
(sigh) ‘’Just be careful.’’
LUKE:
(at doorway) ‘’I always am.’’ (closes door and gets into car)
ANONYMOUS VOICE OVER
‘’it was detective Frisco’s first day back. He had been on leave for… personal reasons. “
<Montage during voiceover and then music >
· in the car; shots inside and front of car
· walking into station/office - shot from behind, tracking forward
· through corridor
· shot opening door, light behind him, turning lights on.
SCENE 2
<Music cuts/fades out> sits at desk, and gets adjusted/climatised to room.
Raya knocks on door, see him turning around and then point of view seeing Raya by door.
RAYA:
“How are you coping without him, Frisco?”
LUKE:
“not a day goes by when I don’t think of him”
RAYA:
“Mm, it can’t be easy/it must be hard”
LUKE:
“It doesn’t get any easier”
RAYA:
“They still haven’t caught him…”
LUKE:
“No…not yet” *angered*
===“*thump on desk* We’ll catch him, don’t you worry” <looks at photo of Goodwin>
*PHONE RINGING*
LUKE:
(into phone) “Frisco (pause) I’m on it.”
SCENE 3
--- Transition cut to murder scene: tunnel, including establishing shots of the industrial area, leading to tunnel. ---
Detective Frisco goes up to body, kneels down by it. <Over the shoulder shot>.
Inspects body, goes to hand, note rolls out of hand. <close up on hand>
<close up slow motion of necklace falling out of the note as he opens it> <reaction shot>
Frisco picks up the necklace and inspects it.
<close up of necklace in Frisco’s hand.>
< Mid range shot of Frisco> standing still, holding the necklace.
Noise at end of tunnel, footsteps. <long shot of tunnel, darkness>
LUKE:
<shouting> “Who’s there?”
Noise of footsteps running away/ figure in darkness
Luke runs to end of tunnel, gives up. <close up of reaction>
~~~~~~~~~~~~
ACT 2
~~~~~~~~~~~~
SCENE 1
---Back to office----
<high angle shot> Frisco at desk, deep in thought.
· Note and necklace at desk, cigar in ashtray, smoking.
<time lapse shot> clock changing time, static/fade change. Showing Frisco in same place.
<Quick shots> now showing frustration, slides papers off desk, shouting.
<point of view shot> picture of them in church, showing hand picking up photo.
<close up on face>
LUKE:
*murmurs* “the church”.
SCENE 2
<Establishing shots of church, low angle>
Frisco running onto scene. Breathless, unsure of where to go. Looks around and moves to decided location (bell tower or church interior)
Finds wife tied up.
LUKE:
“Are you okay? What happened? Who did this?” No answer from Emilie, just head down.
Matt comes up from behind and knocks him out. <Blurry background then Black out.>
<Close up of head on floor>
<Disorientated shots, ceiling etc> Passes out again.
Bones is above Frisco, watching him. <Start out of focus, moves into focus>
MATT:
“Hello old friend. I’ve seen you in better states. (ad lib: explains how he’s still alive, his wife’s gone behind his back and the plan to get him here)
<close up of Luke clenching fist and getting angry>
They both start to fight, lots of quick shots of punches etc.
Luke strangles Matt, then shot from behind, Luke slumps off.
Shot of Emilie with gun.
END CREDITS
*It should be noted that there were several changes in the script during the editing process where it was necessary to cut small bits out in order to fit within the allotted time slot of 5 minutes.
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