I’ve had Million Dollar Baby
It’s certainly not an ‘up’ sort of ending, but it is a powerful film.
One thing that stuck in my mind was how effectively Paul Haggis, the screenwriter, uses a story told by the main character, Maggie.
About two-thirds of the way into the movie, Maggie shares a story about one of the last memories she has of her father and the family dog. It is a touching moment, that lets us into her character a little more. And that seems to be the sole purpose of including the story.
That is, until very near the end, when Maggie refers back to the story. It perfectly sums up the situation she has found herself in. It also serves an important plot purpose, as it is the story that sways Clint Eastwood’s character as far as the decision he must make.
It is a neat, effective, emotional impacting moment. And it is a result of having the story Maggie shares do ‘Double Duty.’ It has an immediate purpose and impact in the scene. And it serves a purpose in a second scene.
In your own screenplays, create moments of impact that have an immediate purpose in the scene, but be on the lookout for ways to give lines of dialogue or action unexpected references later in the story. Have them serve double duty.
If these moments are set up right, it not only create an emotional shorthand, but it gives extra emphasis and depth to the story.