MovieChat Forums > Chef (2014) Discussion > beginning screenwriting 101 forgot the t...

beginning screenwriting 101 forgot the third act

posted 11 years ago by gnilknoc
59 replies | jump to latest

I liked this film, but . . . as with many screenplays, it forgot to include act 3. That is, Act 1 and plot point--he gets fired; act 2--he finds himself by starting a food truck. Success. Fade to black. If the film seems a little too simplistic and hollow, it's really because he forgot to develop the third act. A little resolution with the food critic, but none with Scarlett Johanssen and other old friends/enemies, etc. Just has a problem and he finds solution. No more development or complexity which the film needed to be truly satisfying. the formulas are there for a reason! -jcc

[–] patkav6 10 years ago

Watching this now and I don't foresee much drama in it. Just not that type of movie. So I'm sure your right. All movies need conflict. Kinda cool to see Fav doing an Indy - style movie again though. And where is Vince Vaughn?

[–] thegailo 9 years ago

http://www.examiner.com/review/chef

[–] Elemenoh 9 years ago

Screenwriting 101: The success of his truck and Ramsey offering backing is the climax, champ. It's the resolution of the primary conflict, both internally and externally. Sincerely, a former development head.

PS: Don't get pretentious when you don't know what the F you're talking about. Lengthy denouement isn't a necessity for every story.

[–] BarneyRubbleNLittleChina 9 years ago

Forgot? More like intentionally left it out because it would have dragged the movie down.

Not every song has to have a bridge, the musical equivalent of a 3rd act, to be a hit.

The 3rd act in this movie is called your life. What did you do after the movie was over? 

[–] Mixalidis 9 years ago

It wasn't much smarter than your average romantic comedy, but they added cursing and tattoos, hot women & RDJ to please Iron man fans and give it more exposure.

[–] fanaticita 9 years ago

Wow! Were we all watching the same movie??? I love this movie, and have seen it three or four times and probably will see it many more. It is a feel-good movie and I don't mind that at all. There was definitely a third act! Didn't you watch it till the end? Something big happened right? It was a perfect ending for Carl, Inez, and Percy. This film has a high rating, and I guess that says more that I can, but I just wanted to add my two cents.

[–] borderworldstudios 8 years ago

Right, movies should stick to the generic formula and never try anything new.