When a story falls flat

I would like to apologize if this post is full of mistakes. I came down with food poisoning Sunday morning. If any of you have experienced such a thing you know the feeling. For those who haven’t, may I suggest other forms of entertainment.

Personally I would welcome salty vinegar on an open wound in replace of what I experienced that day.

By Monday I was no longer sick but I was exhausted. Apparently the best remedy for the after effects of food poisoning is to lay on the couch, watch a movie, nap, repeat process.

 And the best part: Zero Guilt.

When the movie selection rolled around I choose one of my favorites – Ocean’s Eleven.

I’m sure many of you have seen it and for those who haven’t, in a nutshell it’s a heist movie of thieves stealing the loot out of a Las Vegas Casino.

What’s not to love?

After the movie ended I curled up on the couch and took a two hour nap. Waking somewhat refreshed I decided it was time for movie number two.

There were sequels to Ocean’s Eleven but they never lived up to the original. Suddenly I remembered a movie that came out recently of an all-female cast called Ocean’s Eight.

Curious I tried it on for size.

When the movie ended I could tell something was lacking. Not knowing what that could be I took another two hour nap and woke with the answer.

Enjoy:

 Ocean’s Eleven wasn’t just a heist film it was a connection between two people who were still in love even though their relationship ended. This side of the story worked because of the stars chemistry and it had a lot to do with the success of the movie.

George Clooney and Julia Roberts nailed it and because of that the audience rooted for them.

Ocean’s Eight lacked that element. It was all about the heist and revenge but there was nothing to root for and nothing to relate to.

How many of you have successfully robbed a Las Vegas casino? For those who said yes, call me. For those who haven’t it’s hard for us to relate to and if that’s all the story has to offer it kind of leaves the viewer empty.

If the writers would have given Sandra Bullock, the lead character, a need that the audience could relate to you would have had an audience that cared.

The characters that we write have to want something that our readers can relate to. By doing so a connection is made between audience and character but in Oceans Eight I saw none.  

We related to Ocean’s Eleven. In many ways it was about regret of a past love more than it was about a heist. We all have something that we regret and that single element created a connection thus creating a successful story.

This is something to keep in mind for all of us when we write. The more we connect with our audience the more our characters come alive.

I hope I didn’t ramble too much in this post. As you can see there are no pictures. I think my picture mind is turned off for the day. Thankfully I am on the mend.

Eat healthy everyone and I’ll see you in better health.

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