Up
Sometimes the best dialogue is none at all
As screenwriters, one of our jobs is to create interesting, memorable dialogue. If we’re lucky, our words become part of popular culture:
There’s no place like home…
You’re going to need a bigger boat…
May the force be with you…
Carpe diem…
There’s no crying in baseball!
…I could go on for days. Reel Quotable is a celebration of movie quotes that spark joy and connection, but today I’m thinking about the power of silence.
Not too long ago I rewatched the “Marriage Life” montage from Pixar’s Up, the relatable, poignant sequence that captures the day-to-day adventures of Carl and Ellie. The decades go by, all without dialogue. It’s brilliant.
If you haven’t seen Up, Carl and Ellie spend a lifetime dreaming about visiting a place called Paradise Falls. Once Carl finally buys tickets to South America, it’s too late. Ellie becomes sick, and soon Carl is left alone. In the final scene of the montage, we’re reminded of the heartbreaking fact that someday, if we’re married, one spouse will outlive the other.
Hubby and I have been married for 15 years, together for 24. As I thought about a dream I had for us, I honestly wasn’t sure. He’s out of town today, so I texted him:
Remember how Carl & Ellie from the movie UP wanted to go to Paradise Falls but never made it?
Yes
I’m writing about that for my Substack column…
Aww, greatest love story ever told in 5 mins. I love the opening of that movie.
That’s what I’m writing about! The power of no dialogue at all…
Do we have a yet-to-be-realized dream for ourselves?
Babe, I think we already made it to Paradise Falls…
SWOON! There was more to the final text that explained why, but I’d like to keep that private. No wonder I couldn’t think of a dream that has gone unrealized. We’re already living it.
As silly as it may sound, we can learn from these animated characters. If you’re coupled, what is a dream you have for the two of you? If you’re single, what is a dream you have for yourself? Commit to what you want to experience and make it happen. Develop a plan, save money, sign up for a class, book a trip, etc. Don’t let the passage of time steal away what’s important.
When searching for the “Married Life” clip online, I found a script to screen version that shows how the words on the page inspired the visuals on the screen. Grab a tissue and enjoy.
Amy
Curious to see more Pixar script to screen shorts? Click HERE.