Page One: ‘Michael Clayton’ (2007)

Written by Tony Gilroy

The movie version of the scene:

A comparison shows that there is more dialogue in the script than the movie. Indeed, a lot more. Check out pp. 2–4:

The monologue in the movie is about half the length of the version in the script. And the scripted content is amazing.

Why the cuts?

Gilroy may have addressed this in a commentary track or interview, but if I had to guess, I think he recorded all of it — an amazing job by Tom Wilkinson — then cut it together to fit the pace of what he and the editor came up with in post. If someone knows the definitive backstory to the opening of the movie, please hit me up with that information.

Page One is a daily Go Into The Story series featuring the first page of notable movie scripts from the classic era to contemporary times. Comparing them is an excellent way to study a variety of writing styles and see how professional writers start a story.

For more Page One posts, go here.

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