The Denouement Explained — Writing a Denouement Like Scorsese, Kubrick, and The Coens

Summary

The script explores the concept of denouement in storytelling, emphasizing its importance as the final stage where conflicts are resolved and themes resonate. Using 'The Departed' as a case study, it illustrates how a denouement can conclude conflicts, provide resolution, and recall the story's theme. The video also discusses alternative approaches to ending a screenplay, including leaving conflicts unresolved or skipping the denouement altogether, to create a lasting impact.

Takeaways

• 🔍 The denouement is the final part of a story where loose ends are tied up and the main conflicts are resolved, often providing closure and resonating the theme.
• 🌟 The term 'denouement' originates from French, meaning 'untying', symbolizing the unraveling of the story's entangled elements.
• 🎬 Successful denouements typically conclude the conflict, deliver resolution, and recall the theme, but not every denouement includes all three elements.
• 👮‍♂️ In 'The Departed', the denouement shows the aftermath of the climax, revealing the consequences of the characters' actions and their final fates.
• 🔑 The denouement in 'The Departed' uses three criteria: concluding major conflicts, providing character resolution, and recalling the film's theme of overcoming social status through deception.
• 🏚 In 'Hell or High Water', the denouement resolves the main conflict and recalls the theme of poverty as a family disease, but leaves some business between characters unresolved.
• 👻 Horror films often end with a suggestion of lingering antagonistic forces, avoiding complete resolution to maintain a sense of unease.
• 🔮 'The Shining' uses its denouement to raise more questions than provide answers, leaving the audience with an unsettling ambiguity.
• 🎼 'Inside Llewyn Davis' skips traditional narrative resolution, focusing on the theme of repeated mistakes through a recurring scene.
• 📜 Different genres favor different types of denouements, with romantic comedies and children's films often providing definitive conclusions, while crime thrillers may leave questions open.
• 📝 The script emphasizes the importance of the denouement in storytelling, suggesting it might be the most crucial part of a narrative for providing a lasting impact.

Q & A

What is a denouement?

The denouement is the final outcome of a story where the main conflicts are concluded. It literally means 'untying' in French, referring to the process of resolving the story's complexities.

Why is the denouement considered important in storytelling?

The denouement is important because it ties up loose ends, brings closure to the conflict, and allows the theme of the story to resonate with the audience. It provides a satisfying conclusion and can be crucial for the overall impact of the story.

What are the three criteria for a successful denouement?

A successful denouement should conclude the conflict, deliver the resolution, and recall the theme. These elements ensure that the story is wrapped up in a meaningful way.

How does 'The Departed' serve as a textbook example of denouement?

'The Departed' serves as a textbook example by concluding the major conflicts, providing resolution, and recalling the theme. It shows the aftermath of the main conflict, reveals the fate of the characters, and reflects on the themes of identity and deception.

How does the denouement differ in romantic comedies and horror movies?

In romantic comedies and children's films, denouements often have definitive conclusions with satisfying resolutions. In contrast, horror movies typically end with a suggestion that the antagonistic forces still remain, leaving some conflict unresolved.

What is an example of a film with unresolved conflict in the denouement?

'Hell or High Water' is an example where the main conflict is resolved, but there is unfinished business between the characters Toby and Marcus, indicating potential future conflict.

What is an example of a film with zero resolution in its denouement?

'Zodiac' ends without an arrest and with the killer still at large, providing no resolution to the main conflict and leaving the audience with more questions.

How does 'The Shining' use its denouement to add more questions?

'The Shining' resolves the main conflict but uses the final shots to force the audience to question the nature of the Overlook Hotel and Jack's connection to it, suggesting a deeper mystery.

Why might a writer choose to skip the denouement completely?

A writer might skip the denouement to leave the story open-ended or to emphasize the climax's impact. For example, 'Midsommar' ends in the middle of the climax but suggests that the protagonist's story has found resolution.

How does 'Inside Llewyn Davis' reflect on the theme without traditional narrative resolution?

'Inside Llewyn Davis' begins and ends with the same scene, emphasizing the protagonist's repeated mistakes. The Coen Brothers use this structure to prioritize the theme of personal failure and the cyclical nature of the protagonist's life over traditional narrative resolution.

Outlines

00:00

🎬 The Essence of Denouement

This paragraph delves into the concept of denouement in storytelling, emphasizing its importance as the final act where conflicts are resolved and the theme is reinforced. It introduces the term, derived from French meaning 'untying', and explains how it symbolizes the resolution of narrative entanglements. The paragraph also outlines the three criteria for a successful denouement: concluding the conflict, delivering resolution, and recalling the theme. Using 'The Departed' as a case study, it illustrates how these elements are applied to provide closure and thematic resonance, while also warning viewers of spoilers ahead.

05:01

🔍 Exploring Denouement Variations in Film

The second paragraph explores the variations and exceptions to the traditional denouement in film, highlighting the diversity of ways stories can conclude. It discusses genre-specific tendencies, such as the definitive conclusions often found in romantic comedies and children's films, versus the lingering uncertainty often present in horror. The paragraph also examines films like 'Hell or High Water' and 'Zodiac', which either leave some conflict unresolved or end without providing answers, respectively. It touches on the use of denouement to raise more questions, as seen in 'The Shining', and the choice to skip denouement altogether, as in 'Midsommar'. The paragraph concludes with 'Inside Llewyn Davis' as an example of prioritizing theme over narrative resolution, and invites viewers to share their favorite films with impactful denouements.

10:02

📚 Wrapping Up the Discussion

The final paragraph serves as a conclusion to the video, hoping that the audience found the information provided to be conclusive and valuable. It signals the end of the discussion on denouement in storytelling and filmmaking, leaving viewers with a sense of closure after the comprehensive exploration of the topic in the preceding paragraphs.

Keywords

💡Denouement

Denouement refers to the final part of a narrative, where the main conflicts are resolved and the story reaches its conclusion. In the context of the video, it is the last chance for a story to tie up loose ends and allow the theme to resonate. The script uses 'The Departed' as an example, where the denouement focuses on the aftermath of the climax, revealing the fate of the characters and the resolution of the main conflict.

💡Storytelling

Storytelling is the art of narrating stories, which can be conveyed through various mediums including film, literature, and oral tradition. The video emphasizes the importance of denouement in storytelling, illustrating how it is handled differently by various storytellers. It is a crucial aspect that can make or break the impact of a story, as seen in the examples provided from different genres.

💡Conflict

Conflict is a fundamental element in storytelling that drives the plot forward. It refers to the struggle or problem faced by the characters. The video script mentions that the denouement is where the main conflicts of the narrative are concluded, such as in 'The Departed,' where the conflict between the police and the mob is resolved.

💡Resolution

Resolution in a narrative refers to the point where the story's conflicts are addressed and the characters' situations are clarified. The script discusses how the denouement provides resolution, as seen in 'The Departed,' where the character Sullivan's fate is revealed, offering closure to the audience.

💡Theme

A theme is the underlying message or main idea of a narrative. The video explains that recalling the theme is one of the functions of a denouement. For instance, 'The Departed' uses its denouement to reflect on the theme of overcoming social status and the consequences of deception.

💡Closure

Closure in the context of storytelling means bringing a sense of finality or completeness to the narrative. The video script highlights the importance of closure in the denouement, allowing the audience to feel that the story has reached a satisfying end, as seen in the examples of different films.

💡Climax

Climax refers to the turning point or the most intense moment in a narrative, which typically precedes the denouement. The script uses the term to describe the point of highest tension or drama, such as the standoff in 'The Departed,' which leads to the denouement.

💡Character Development

Character development is the process by which a character evolves throughout a story. The video script implies that the denouement can show the effects of the story's events on the characters, as seen in 'The Departed,' where the characters' fates are revealed post-climax.

💡Motif

A motif is a recurring element or idea in a narrative that helps to develop the theme. The script mentions the motif of the rat in 'The Departed,' which symbolizes deception and is a recurring symbol throughout the film, culminating in the denouement.

💡Screenplay

A screenplay is a written script for a film or television production, detailing the scenes, actions, and dialogue. The video discusses various ways to end a screenplay, emphasizing the importance of the denouement in providing a satisfying conclusion to the story.

💡Genre

Genre refers to a category of narrative that follows certain conventions. The script mentions that different genres favor certain types of denouements, such as romantic comedies and children's films tending to have definitive conclusions, while horror movies might end with a suggestion of lingering antagonistic forces.

Highlights

The denouement is the final outcome of a story where the main conflicts are concluded.

Denouement, from French, literally translates as untying, symbolizing the untangling of story elements.

Successful denouements often conclude the conflict, deliver resolution, and recall the theme.

Not every denouement provides all three elements; some may emphasize one over the others.

Martin Scorsese's 'The Departed' serves as a textbook example of a well-executed denouement.

In 'The Departed', the denouement focuses on the aftermath of the climax, revealing the fate of the characters.

The denouement in 'The Departed' shows how characters are affected by the conclusion of major conflicts.

Resolution in 'The Departed' is provided through Sullivan's realization of Madeleine and Costigan's possible relationship.

The theme of overcoming social status through false identities is recalled in 'The Departed'.

The film uses symbols like the Massachusetts State House and a rat to reflect on the theme and character's fate.

Different genres favor different types of denouements, with some leaving conflicts unresolved for a more natural feel.

In 'Hell or High Water', the denouement provides resolution but leaves some business unfinished between characters.

'Zodiac' ends without resolution, adding more questions instead of providing answers.

'The Shining' uses its denouement to question the narrative, leaving viewers to ponder over the story.

Some films, like 'Midsommar', skip the denouement and end in the middle of the climax.

'Inside Llewyn Davis' bookends the film with the same scene, emphasizing theme over narrative resolution.

The Coen Brothers in 'Inside Llewyn Davis' suggest that without recognizing faults, characters are doomed to repeat mistakes.

The video invites viewers to share their favorite films with great denouements in the comments.

StudioBinder's screenwriting software is promoted for those interested in writing their screenplays.

The video concludes by encouraging viewers to subscribe for more filmmaking content and notifications.

Transcripts

What happens after the good guys win?

After the hero saves the day?

After love triumphs all?

Or

after the happy ending never happens at all.

"- Oh, god."

- This is the denouement.

A story's last chance to tie up loose ends.

Bring closure to the conflict.

And allow the theme to resonate.

And it might just be the most important part of the entire story.

This is "What Is Denouement?"

Remember to subscribe and click the bell

to stay in the loop with more filmmaking videos like this.

We will be spoiling the following movies.

"- Cool! I really like "Dress to Kill."

- Until the third act denouement.

- That's not how it's pronounced."

- Denouement is the final outcome of a story

where the main conflicts of the narrative are concluded.

From French, denouement literally translates as untying.

If we imagine the character's obstacles

and conflicts becoming entangled during a story

the denouement is the process of untying all those elements.

For most stories, it is an essential aspect of storytelling

and every storyteller handles it differently.

But some of the most successful examples do three things.

Conclude the conflict.

Deliver the resolution.

And recall the theme.

These criteria should be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Not every denouement provides all three.

Some provide more of one element over the others.

And some films can provide all of these without a denouement.

Let's dive into a textbook example of denouement.

Martin Scorsese's "The Departed".

This is your official spoiler warning.

And make sure the kiddos aren't watching.

Graphic content lies ahead.

In order to thoroughly untie the ending of Scorsese's Boston mob epic,

let's do a rapid-fire recap of the screenplay by William Monahan.

Frank Costello is an Irish mob boss

who grooms Colin Sullivan to become a rat

inside the Massachusetts state police.

"- When I was your age they would say we could become cops or criminals.

Today what I'm saying is this.

When you're facing a loaded gun...

...what's the difference?

- Huh?

It's my boy."

- At the same time, state trooper Billy Costigan

is recruited to go undercover inside Costello's organization.

As both men attempt to learn the others identity,

they fall in love with the same woman.

Madeleine.

Eventually, Costello was killed.

And Costigan discovers Sullivan's identity.

The climax is a tense standoff that ends in Costigan's death.

Everything after this is the Denouement

which focuses on what happens to Sullivan in the aftermath.

Let's see how it works with our three criteria.

First, all the major conflicts are concluded

and we see how the characters are affected by it all.

Sutherland appears to have emerged from the situation as the victor.

With Costello and Costigan dead

his role as a spy for the mob remains a secret.

Second, it provides resolution.

At the funeral, Sullivan realizes

there may have been something between Madeleine and Costigan.

His last ditch effort for reconciliation fails.

"- What about the baby?"

- And just when we think he will get away with it all

vengeance is waiting.

"- Okay."

- Third, it recalls the theme.

"- Why?"

- Both Sullivan and Costigan are driven to overcome their social status.

"- I mean you move in. You're up for class by about Tuesday."

- And they pursue this by taking on false identities.

And even though Sullivan got his dream,

it cost him everything.

We are left with a final shot of two symbols.

The Massachusetts State House that Sullivan regards

as the pinnacle of success.

"- Forget it.

Your father was a janitor.

His son's only a cop."

- And a scurrying rat.

The lowly animal we associate with deception

and a motif in the film.

"- Smell a rat."

- With a page and a half of script and 4 minutes of screen time,

"The Departed" uses a textbook application of denouement

to conclude its story.

But there are many alternatives and exceptions

that might fit your story better.

There are a vast array of ways to end a screenplay.

"- I'm finished."

- Certain genres tend to favor certain types of denouement.

Romantic comedies and children's films

often have definitive conclusions with satisfying resolutions.

Horror movies typically end with a suggestion

that the antagonistic forces still remain.

Bringing 100% resolution can sometimes feel unnatural and forced.

To avoid this writers can leave some conflict unresolved.

In "Hell or High Water" brothers Toby and Tanner

become bank robbers to avoid foreclosure on their family home

which sets Texas ranger Marcus Hamilton onto their trail.

In the process, Tanner and Marcus's partner are killed.

During the denouement the main conflict is resolved

as Toby pays off the mortgage.

"- Just in the nick of time, too.

What are the odds?"

- The theme is recalled.

"- I've been poor my whole life.

So were my parents, their parents before them.

It's like a disease...

passing from generation to generation, becomes a sickness.

That's what it is."

- And there is some resolution.

"-...but not my boys.

Not anymore."

- But there is clearly unfinished business

between Toby and Marcus to be settled in the future.

"- Ready to be done with this?

- You'll never be done with it no matter what.

It's gonna haunt you, son, for the rest of your days.

But you won't be alone.

It's gonna haunt me, too.

- If you stop by, maybe I'll give you peace.

- Maybe. Maybe I'll give it to you."

- Another option is to provide zero resolution.

"- Can I help you?"

- No."

- Bucking the trend of the typical crime thriller,

"Zodiac" ends without an arrest

and the killer still out there.

Instead of providing answers,

other writers will use the denouement to add more questions.

While the main conflict in "The Shining" is resolved.

"- Danny!"

- These final shots force us to question everything.

Was Jack always the caretaker of the overlook like it was previously suggested?

"- You've always been the caretaker."

Sometimes writers opt to skip the denouement completely.

"Midsommar" ends in the middle of the climax

but the final shot suggests that Danny's story has found resolution.

And then there are those exceptions that provide no resolution

but use the denouement specifically to reflect on the theme.

"Inside Llewyn Davis" begins and ends with the same scene

with Llewyn being beaten up by heckling a fellow performer.

"- You sit there in the audience last night, yellin' your crap.

- Oh, for Christ's sake. You yell stuff, man. It's a show.

- You sit there in the audience last night..."

- By bookending the film like this

the Coen Brothers prioritize the theme

over any sort of traditional narrative resolution.

Until he recognizes his faults, Llewyn is doomed to repeat the same mistakes

over and over again.

What other films have a great denouement?

Share your favorites in the comments below.

Now that we covered a few ways to end a screenplay

it's time to start writing.

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We've arrived at the denouement of this video.

We hope you found it resolute.