Parasite vs. Sunset Boulevard - The Disillusionment Arc

[@LessonsfromtheScreenplay]

What's your favorite movie pre-1970?! (And no, you're not crazy, we did also just do a different video on Parasite: kzbin.info/www/bejne/npaWqWicobl5hsk)

[@doublefeatures6312]

Singin' in the Rain

[@haejinJ]

12 angry men (1957)

[@j.a.a.x8818]

Rear Window

[@athulkishan6226]

Persona 1966 or Andrei Rublev

[@Sharath275]

Hi Machel,can u do an video about comedy writing...how something makes u laugh even in serious situation like the HBO series barry created by bill hader..please consider this request in future

[@severallybrianth6557]

"A man who wanted a pool, got a pool, and ultimately drowned in a pool. " My god it's so precise.

[@leochillrud6255]

Well he actually died of gun shots so no

[@Afterworkhours22]

Sounds like the Great Gatsby

[@NPC02006]

In Parasite, a man who wants a big house ends up trapped in it.

[@nikagogibedashvili6476]

Billy Wilder is hell of a director and screenwriter

[@bijanadhikari7928]

Joe Gillis: You're Norma Desmond. You used to be in silent pictures. You used to be big. Norma Desmond: I am big. It's the pictures that got small. Still one of the greatest quotes ever in a film.

[@KutWrite]

Yes, and "I'm ready for my close-up, Mr. deMille." (and the look on Max's face as he "directs" it)

[@GigaChadh976]

Yeah it showcases her ego as well

[@hamman91]

Fun fact, the midpoint in Parasite when the old house keep rings the door bell of the Park's household is the exact middle page in the screenplay.

[@spookyho5994]

Damn, that’s amazing

[@Minivaaaaal]

From then on they all seem to be crossing lines

[@monky6520]

where do the details end with this movie

[@connorjh49]

1 page 1 minute, that’ll happen more than you think

[@princessthyemis]

that's amazing!!!

[@nickythepro5743]

My cat did the same thing. He sees the ledge, and try to jump to it. He failed to reach it, but everyday he tries to do it. He believes in the lie, yet I always believes in him

[@ManishSharma-yl3zt]

Sometimes I watch a movie just so that I can watch a LFTS video about it.

[@LessonsfromtheScreenplay]

:D

[@i_so_late]

@@LessonsfromtheScreenplay same here there's like 6 movies I've seen just to watch one of these videos

[@rtkThirteen]

Exactly, I've not seen Sunset Boulevard and now I feel like I've ruined a little bit of something by deciding to watch this first. I'll remember, going forward, that if LftS heavily references a film, that it is very likely worth watching.

[@luispanzar4764]

Yep! Finished Sunset Boulevard forty minutes ago. Finished this video forty seconds ago. Not a bad investment of time.

[@gonkdroid8279]

I literally watched this movie so I could watch this video

[@filmthoughtproject5699]

Parasite really does feels like a movie from the classic Hollywood era. Watching it is almost like watching a Hitchcock or Orson Welles movie. The pacing, the shot selection... It’s brilliant.

[@mezzanoon]

Never having seen Sunset Boulevard, just that scene of Joe's death was incredible & moving: his unrelenting walk to the pool. Seems so modern by many standards, I'll have to be watching it!

[@xBINARYGODx]

Many older movies feel very modern, actually.

[@DhruvPatel-gs8db]

@@xBINARYGODx Can you suggest a few, please.

[@alejandrobenavides766]

@@DhruvPatel-gs8db The Apartment from the same director of Sunset Boulevard feels very modern. Now I'm thinking that's just a Billy Wilder thing, for his films to stand so well against time.

[@MliDube]

That scene looks exactly how the Leo DiCaprio's death looked int the Great Gatsby.

[@KutWrite]

@@DhruvPatel-gs8db Try: The Searchers, Harper, and if you like Sci-Fi, Forbidden Planet.

[@shawnargent4472]

“A character pursues a dream, finally seems to achieve it, only to realize that the dream is hollow.” It’s funny how you say this because the scholar rock Kiwoo was given was actually fake and hollow... which is how he survived it.

[@collator]

Shawn Argent I keep forgetting that he doesn’t die. That party scene is such a climax I don’t remember anything past it. I guess you could say I continue to believe the lie.

[@Torgo1969]

With much wisdom comes much sorrow. - Ecclesiastes “For the rest of the earth’s organisms, existence is relatively uncomplicated. Their lives are about three things: survival, reproduction, death-and nothing else. But we know too much to content ourselves with surviving, reproducing, dying-and nothing else. We know we are alive and know we will die. We also know we will suffer during our lives before suffering-slowly or quickly-as we draw near to death. This is the knowledge we “enjoy” as the most intelligent organisms to gush from the womb of nature. And being so, we feel shortchanged if there is nothing else for us than to survive, reproduce, and die. We want there to be more to it than that, or to think there is. This is the tragedy: Consciousness has forced us into the paradoxical position of striving to be unself-conscious of what we are-hunks of spoiling flesh on disintegrating bones.” ― Thomas Ligotti, "The Conspiracy Against the Human Race"

[@Golwen_]

It's a good day when both Now You See It and Lessons from the Screenplay upload a video half an hour from each other.

[@geekresponsibly5509]

Ikr!!!

[@MoxieMcMurder]

A good day indeed!

[@Arttective]

I love how Parasite's soundtrack plays over clips of Sunset Blvd. and vice versa

[@KutWrite]

Yes, he does a great editing job.

[@ari7579]

OMG I REQUESTED YOU DO SUNSET BOULEVARD LIKE OVER A YEAR AGO IM SO HAPPY!!

[@LessonsfromtheScreenplay]

:) Sorry it takes awhile sometimes!

[@noeller6217]

Regular character arc: We will be happy in the end :) Sunset Boulevard & Parasite: HA, NOPE!

[@LessonsfromtheScreenplay]

See, the video could have been a lot shorter if we'd just used this as the script!

[@1FrostySlime]

Wow this video was amazing, the comparisons between the two would be so hidden when watching them soeratly but after watching this video they become so clear, Also the parasite soundtrack in the background is one of my favorite soundtracks ever and it made the video that much better.

[@LessonsfromtheScreenplay]

Thank you!

[@ivanyarovoy7985]

Mention Billy Wilder, his films often have this pattern with "building up life around lie" and "self-rejecting for what's "real good"". "Ace in the Hole", "Sunset Boulevard", "Some Like it Hot", "Room" - in different ways but still and this is the list i only familiar with.

[@deadbars8755]

I wonder how much research you did on this video? Every Lfts video usually takes a month to be released. Keep the work, please do a Scorsese film like Taxi Driver

[@LessonsfromtheScreenplay]

In our current process, from pitch to release takes 10 weeks. We were talking about this video in particular back in January. But...we're ramping up our speed...

[@deadbars8755]

@@LessonsfromtheScreenplay wow I appreciate your hard work, just take your time and I can wait as long as it takes

[@Greendalewitch]

@@LessonsfromtheScreenplay Out of curiosity how do you decide what research material to use? I have seen you use Robert McKee, John Truby and other but never really why you decided to use these particular research materials.

[@canaisyoung3601]

Or if Taxi Driver really is anything like Joker? I keep hearing that it is.

[@deadbars8755]

@@canaisyoung3601 actually no joker is more like the king of comedy

[@willjohnsnow]

Great to see the disillusionment story getting some love! 👏I still remember being unable to get up from my seat after The Wrestler.

[@LessonsfromtheScreenplay]

Yeah, these kinds of stories can really pack an emotional punch.

[@crapshots]

Oddly enough, as you described these films, I was reminded of Shark Tale. That movie started out interestingly enough, with a flawed protagonist who seemed destined for a huge wake-up call, but the resolution (or lack thereof) just failed miserably. Great analysis! I love Parasite, and now I want to check out Sunset Boulevard.

[@sar1043]

Michael, you and your team are amazing! You guys put so much effort into your videos and the ideas you come up with are mind-blowing. Parasite and Sunset Boulevard are two of my favorite movies but I would have never thought to compare the two. You guys deserve more recognition. Keep up the incredible work!

[@Nick-ft4dk]

I feel like Black Swan has this arc to but only if you interpret Nina's goal as getting the role of the swan queen rather than achieving greatness.

[@SprightlyValentino]

Sunset Blvd is my favorite movie, and I watched Parasite for the first time a few weeks ago and was quite impressed by it, so it was cool seeing the two movies compared.

[@Champthedrinker]

Absolutely one of my favorite channels. The time, effort and thought always shows.

[@seancamerondalton2145]

I'd love to see a video on how research relates to screenwriting. Maybe The Witch or The Lighthouse, since Robert Eggers loves going for authenticity.

[@miguels478]

Thank for covering an older film. Please do more older stuff, as I really enjoy your videos.

[@alejandrovillegas177]

And the day suddenly became interesting... Thank you Michael. Grettings from Bolivia.

[@LessonsfromtheScreenplay]

Glad I could help! :)

[@filmfanaticryan156]

This is my favorite video essay you have done. And I've been following for a while.

[@LessonsfromtheScreenplay]

Thank you!!

[@insearchofahillworthdyingon]

Awesome video. The Great Gatsby follows this same arc too. Gatsby and Nick both start the story believing lies about money, affluence, and the possibility to transition between classes, only for those beliefs to be shattered by the end. Gatsby dies still waiting on his phone call and Nick survives as the disillusioned and damaged witness to it all. It's fascinating how stories that appear so diverse on the surface are so similar structurally.

[@natipbme]

you inspired me to join film school and study to be a cinematographer, thank u so much u are great.

[@jamesgarrett8833]

Many future academy awards winner writers will have you to thank on winning their Oscar. You are such a good teacher 👍

[@haejinJ]

Sunshine, lollipops and rainbows everywhere...

[@BenBenCaro]

This was the most precise and clear analysis of Parasite's structure that I've seen. Well done!

[@manthony225]

Great essay! I love that you compared these movies. They both had a profound impact on me. A couple of people who've I've discussed Parasite with thought the son actually bought the Park's house at the end. They still want to believe the lie.

[@ThatXavier]

This is a very unique view that I didn't realize before. How similar both Sunset Boulevard and Parasite are. Also, I never saw an arc for the father in Parasite until now. Keep up the great work!

[@sweeteverythings7115]

What a great essay! Deep, engaging and thought-inspiring. Thank you for your hard work!

[@killthecatpodcast6300]

This was such a fascinating comparison! I really love your comparison videos; two movies used to bring out the finer points in each other. This also made me revisit Sunset Blvd which I haven't seen in years and good god that's a good movie.

[@manners316]

Two incredible films. Fascinating parallels drawn between them. LFTS please come back!

[@solalchomand5910]

I picked up The Anatomy of Story because of your videos and I’m loving it. And Truby uses Sunset Boulevard in one of his examples and I hadn’t watched it yet, so I did. That was a week ago. Thank you so much for doing this video, and keep up the amazing content. I hope everyone in the LFTS team is in good health !

[@solalchomand5910]

I know you’re a big Star Wars fan so will you be doing a Rise or Skywalker video ? I’d love to hear your take on it

[@smtucker0419]

@@solalchomand5910 If you haven't already, you might want to check out their podcast series where they did a discussion of all the films in several episodes,

[@solalchomand5910]

@@smtucker0419 No I haven't, where can I find them ?

[@scenealizer]

Plz do Knives out: anatomy of doing a mystery and a crime thriller in one movie

[@LessonsfromtheScreenplay]

Loved Knives Out! Definitely one we've been talking about.

[@TimothyRobert93]

@@LessonsfromtheScreenplay YAY! honestly it's probably one of favorite movies in the last 10 years.

[@Zeliwashere]

this is just f*king awesome, I want to subscribe to the channel and then unsubscribe just to be able to subscribe again. I'm literally smashing that damn button, LOVED THIS, can't say it enough.

[@joeytorres6889]

My favorite LFTS yet. Been binging the podcast lately. Thank you guys for all that you do!❤️

[@paulatroncoso6117]

This is probably one of the best videos that you have ever done! Congrats!

[@tashimango]

this was such an excellent analysis, so creative and compelling. great job, I really enjoyed this piece. thank you for showing me how to appreciate these movies on yet another level!

[@squrpion]

K.M. Weiland is the best! I'm so happy to see you quote one of her books!

[@andylee0427]

This is amazing comparing two outwardly dismilar classics to unearth connection that is profound! The best video yet!

[@ImNotYourPal]

I love how you keep making great videos. I am always waiting for the next one!

[@reynar22]

Omg I loved this video, I never would have linked these two together but it makes sooo much sense, amazing

[@jordel2010]

Great analysis and comparison of both films.

[@tofuny8440]

I thought ki woo doubted the lie in the last act when he asked the daughter "do I belong here?", since it was Jessica that was the best at assimilating into the rich family.

[@evandaugherty1223]

I always thought the story of Michael Corleone in The Godfather part 1 was a great disillusionment arc

[@cynicalleviathan3305]

A lot of films and series have disillusionment arcs. Walter White in Breaking Bad has a Disillusionment arc. Basically its just a characters personality degrading instead of improving during the story.

[@doanale3344]

I thought the end of Godfather 2 was the icing on the cake. Michael sitting on that bench remembering the dinner just before he went off to the war. I remember thinking "Jesus Christ almost everyone at that table is dead" and then when I also realised how different Michael and even his sister is in the present I understood that, "no, everyone at that table is dead."

[@DylanHansenDBH]

Mr. Robot episode "405 Method Not Allowed" is a great case of show, don't tell in television with great tension and urgency throughout the episode.

[@leewitten4758]

This has inspired me. I realise because of you, in order to truly be happy, I must succumb to the madness.

[@Nro52]

Love the way you find this connections between movies that, at first sight, one would never link together. Great analysis, as usual! Thank you for your awesome work!

[@valeriebarboza7694]

Not only did I love this video, but I love how Micheal mentioned Thomas Frank because I always go to him for productivity!!

[@clarkdelis8270]

This was great Maybe you could do one on Knives Out? Or either Good Time or Uncut Gems? Nevertheless, will be looking forward for the next video.

[@LessonsfromtheScreenplay]

Thank you! And good suggestions!

[@Greendalewitch]

@@LessonsfromtheScreenplay Can you perhaps also do one on The Lighthouse. Its a really unappreciated movie which needs to be talked about more.

[@rowiequierez5920]

Would love to see LFTS: Knives Out!

[@Ruylopez778]

@@rowiequierez5920 Here you go; twist, twist, twist, thriller, twist, back to whodunnit, twist, twist, twist, twist again, end credits.

[@TomEyeTheSFMguy]

@@Ruylopez778 eh, lacks the depth that lfts has.

[@misfit27]

missing u guys 🥺

[@arjunbharadwaj73]

This video essay opened my mind. Thank you so much

[@Alexander1005]

“Pause, rewind, and discuss” could be the name of your new series.

[@Kriz99999]

I believe Ki-woo didn't go to basement with the rock to kill Geun-se, but rather to give the stone as a symbol of fortune. In fact, Ki-woo himself received the stone by his better-off friend, after which made the Kims become "successful". However, his plan did not go as planned, and Geun-se misunderstood the stone as a weapon to kill him. I think this illustrates how the poor are always fighting each other (If the stone was delivered by, say one of the Park families, then Geun-se would never show aggression like that). Ki-woo wanted to be the guy that gave him the stone, but he could never be, thus the realization of the truth. Same stone, when given by the rich, it is "symbol of fortune," but when given by the poor, it is just offensive as hell.

[@Kriz99999]

Therefore I think Ki-woo's realization is more hard-hitting than Joe's. Joe wanted to be rich but he couldn't. Ki-woo wanted to be nice but he couldn't because he is not seen as rich.

[@doublejay29]

This is a spectacular presentation. Thanks for making it.

[@SeanWhitmore]

Finally watched Sunset Blvd the other day, and once it was over I thought, "Ooh, now I can finally watch that Parasite comparison video!"

[@DiogoMaia2]

Two of the greateast movies ever. Congratulations for your work and for your smooth english. Iam a brazilian guy and got everything you said.

[@iancaldeian]

Thanks for your juxtaposition of these two films. Love it! If I were still in the classroom, I'd have used it to illustrate several literary elements including compare and contrast as well as plot diagram. One of my favorite movies of disillusionment is from Brazil.

[@MrNitishhhhhhh]

I added this vid to my watch later playlist & saw Sunset Blvd just so I could see this, & I wasn't disappointed. Also in the mid point of both the movies it is raining.

[@levisnafu]

this was the perfect video for the short script I'm writing right now

[@hipchocolatechip9339]

I’m curious to hear your take on Midsommar! It’s one of the most unsettling horror movies I’ve seen.

[@jasongeorgis3483]

I love both of these movies, but never realized the similar arcs the characters take. Thanks to LFTS for opening my eyes yet again!

[@tomjones2348]

Exceptionally well done!

[@dialecticamundi]

You just outdid yourself. First Parasite video was incredible. This was just perfect. Thank you.

[@jechiquim]

the way Michael speaks is so sweet

[@xavvi]

If anyone hasn't seen Sunset Blvd, watch it. It's not like some older films where they were amazing at the time but are boring or tough to watch now. It holds up amazingly well. Billy Wilder had this amazing sense of humor and the movie is like a dark comedy. Hell, there's a funeral for a monkey in the first 15 minutes!

[@joeydandrea6393]

do a comparison between “Stalker” and “Annihilation”! I think you guys would do a great job and would love to see a video on it

[@panchish]

HAVEN'T WATCHED THE VID YET BUT IM SO OBSESSED W THESE TWO MOVIES SO MUCH SO YES EXACTLY MICHAEL I AGREE W WHATEVER UR SAYING

[@LessonsfromtheScreenplay]

haha

[@shounen17]

One more parallel - I've watched Parasite and Sunset Boulevard about 4 times each. Excellent movies, and great essay on the Disillusionment parallel.

[@blameitoncapitalism]

what an incredible video. these are two of my favorite movies ever. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

[@Mari-zb1ge]

I’ve been waiting for a new video for so long and I’m so glad it’s finally here

[@averyaustin1]

I doubt this'll ever happen, but i still figured i'd say: I'd love to see you or someone else tackle this same type of video, but for Red Dead Redemption 2. The Disillusionment Arc that game has is quite amazing and it would be awesome to see someone dive deep into it.

[@losalfajoresok]

I can't watch a movie now thinking about what LFTS is going to say about certain scenes. Love your channel Mike!

[@FixFilmsLtd]

Very intricate and compelling analysis of two seemingly different, but structurally very similar films. Great article that is expertly put forward. Two classic films for the price of one!

[@julian1127]

Great video, you could see the amount of talent and hard work that goes into it.

[@fkillough]

Excellent, really insightful. I've honestly learned so much from this channel.

[@ricardosamayoacastro3344]

Uno de los mejores videos que he visto en KZbin. Buen trabajo!

[@anniecoxdraws]

Yesss, more Parasite!! Your channel is a big inspiration, I'm trying to get more serious about video essays.

[@123haninhk]

Such a good comparison, thank you

[@foodngems]

You unpack a lot of information really well. I love your videos so much! Thanks for putting so much work into every video :-)

[@mcwarhol17]

What a beautiful video, thanks for sharing 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@jayantjj]

LFTS just can't make a bad video can they? Fantastic work guys, keep it going. My favourite movie pre 1970 is '12 Angry Men' and Akira Kurosawa's 'Rashomon' in foreign language.

[@robertorojnic4370]

Phenomenal video presentation. Great work! Thanks.

[@Graciiifdp]

The Scott pilgrim cutaway got me so good. Another brilliant video 💜💜💜

[@CinemaStix]

Fade in: LFTS is the best of the best. Fade out.

[@LessonsfromtheScreenplay]

[@eugeniasanchezdiaz2577]

Amazing video! I loved it.

[@xingcat]

Fantastic comparison! I never would have thought of it, and the second I saw the title, I thought, "OF COURSE!" Terrific.

[@SirShurikenFlinger]

thank you for making these videos. they're incredibly comprehensive and educational

[@PhilSvitekYT]

Really fantastic job of deconstructing both films. I learned a lot, especially the power of the mid point decision

[@pdzombie1906]

Yeah, that's why Zizek advices to be sure the dream you pursue is truly your own and not a dream imposed by society... Great video, guys. Thanx!!!

[@Booyawatchin]

That was amazing. Thank you!

[@AndreBalaio]

Sunset Boulevard is my all-time favorite movie. And Parasite was my favorite 2019 movie. So, you can realize how glad I am with after watching this video. Great job. Congratulations from Brazil!

[@weirdTedE91]

As soon as I saw the thumbnail and read the title, I was like "Oh yeah, that totally makes sense!"

[@marschruschrybul6247]

This was a great analysis. I had to giggle a little when I noticed that it was at the midpoint of the video when the other character trajectory comparisons were introduced. Very nice touch :)

[@LessonsfromtheScreenplay]

;)

[@lilianahedley4939]

WOW WOW WOW I"M BLOWN AWAY BY THIS VID!!!!