Reservation Road

RESERVATION ROAD Screenplay by John Burnham Schwartz and Terry George Based on the novel by John Burnham Schwartz TITLES... A-F A MONTAGE OF SHOTS OF THIS IDYLLIC CONNECTICUT TOWN A-F THE COUNTRY ROADS. CHILDREN PLAYING. A GROUP OF TEENAGERS LOUNGING AT A FAMILY POOL. LUXURY STORES ON A MAIN STREET. AFTERNOON CROWD AT A FASHIONABLE COFFEE SHOP. A YOUNG WOMAN JOGGER pushing her $2,000 stroller. ALL UNDER THE SOUND OF AN ORCHESTRA. 1 EXT. CONNECTICUT PARK - DAY 1 Late afternoon on a sunny, late summer day. A beautiful public park. A SCHOOL ORCHESTRA plays on a public bandstand. CLOSE ON a beautiful woman (mid-30s). This is GRACE LEARNER. She listens as the piece plays, then a young boy, her son, JOSH (10), stands to play his solo piece. Her husband, ETHAN LEARNER, mid-thirties, holds their daughter EMMA (8) on his lap. As Josh plays, an AIRLINER flies overhead, preparing to land. Grace looks up, annoyed. Josh finishes, the orchestra starts up just as Emma stands and applauds her brother. 2 EXT. CONNECTICUT PARK - DUSK 2 The concert is over. The audience breaks up. Ethan and Grace, arm around each other (like lovers), move through groups of parents. Ethan carries his son’s Cello. Josh plays with his sister Emma and some other kids by a tree, they are catching fireflies. PARENT (O.S.) Mr. Learner, Mr. Learner! Ethan turns. An ELEGANT LADY (40s) catches up, thrusts her hand out to Ethan.