The Caper
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Transcript of The Caper
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The Caper
"Don't Know much About Art," by Simon Brett
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If you've ever watched a movie where one thief steals from an even
worse thief, you've watched a caper.
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When the criminal becomes a thieving hero, you have yourself a
caper.
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Throughout history writer's and audiences have had a soft spot for
the criminal
• and a major interest in:– how the theft takes place– how the criminal will get away – how justice will be served
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In this formula, the moral line takes a quite flexible view of justice.
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Take Robin Hood for instance.
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Normally stealing is wrong
• But is it wrong if the government is failing the people through the over taxation of an illegitimate ruler?
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– When the villain, in this case Prince John, is more evil than that person stealing from them, the petty thief becomes the hero in our twisted sense of justice.
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So stealing is wrong . . .
• unless your stealing from an undeserving, evil villain for a good cause, – like to right their wrongs – revenge – or justice outside of the law.
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The moral comment is that . . .
• sometimes the underdog doling out comeuppance can replace legal justice so that the audience knows that the bad guy got what they deserved.
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Here are the basic qualifications for the Caper:
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1. The normal villain (petty thief) is the hero
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2. The crime is theft, not murder.
• It is hard to idealize a murderer.
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3. There is a righteous pursuer who may or may not catch the thief.
• Still, the righteous pursuer can identify with and respect the thief.
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4. The thief is not an evil mastermind
• he may be smart, but it's the down to earth quality that helps the audience connect with the thief
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5. The focus of the story is how the thief will get in and out
successfully, not on how the righteous pursuer will catch them.
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6. The thief is rarely harmed when their plans are foiled, just a bit of
wounded pride at most.
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7. The Character is charming, clever, and witty so that the
audience will like him/her more than the worse villain.
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"Don't Know much About Art," by Simon Brett
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Characters:
• Billy Gorse: narrator, petty thief
• Wally Clinton: thief who Gorse tried to drive to the airport, but ran out of gas
• Mr. Loxton: employer, private school voice
• Mr. Depaldo: the fence
• Lord Harbinger: Owner of Harbinger Hall
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So how is "Don't Know Much About Art" a caper?
• Let me count the ways.
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1. The normal villain (petty thief) is the hero:
• In this story, Billy Gorse is the hero. – He's a petty criminal
and not a very successful one at that.
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• He looks dumb– Ex pro-wrestler– Stereotypical looking
dumb villain
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He looks dumber than he is, but he’s also done some dumb things.
• He looms, threatens, and he’s made silly mistakes:– Drove the wrong
people away in the getaway car.
– Accidentally returned stolen goods
– Wrote his address on a ransom note
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Yet, he is less of a criminal than Mr. Loxton and Lord Harbinger.
• We can't help but cheer for him as he out-smarts the two crusty, know-it-all blue-bloods.
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2. The crime is theft, not murder:
• Billy is hired to steal a painting.
• But he’s still a good guy: – He tells us that he won't:
• do murder for hire • or mug old ladies, • so his crimes seem pretty harmless.
• Besides, what's the harm in stealing a old painting from a bunch of rich folks?
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3. There is a righteous pursuer who may or may not catch the
thief: • Yes and no on this one.
– There is no police man or private investigator pursuing Billy;
– but Billy becomes the righteous pursuer when he realizes that he is being set up.
– He is then the one who must pursue Mr. Loxton and the man he was speaking to in order for himself to survive this deal.
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4. The thief is not an evil mastermind:
• Billy is no evil mastermind; but he isn't as daft as he first portrayed himself to be.
• He describes himself as a type of brainless, blunt object to be used to mindless tasks only;
• yet he manages to have the painting handed to him as he goes out the door.
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5. The focus of the story is how the thief will get in and out
successfully, not on how the righteous pursuer will catch
them:
• The story, as told by Billy himself, focuses on how he could possibly steal this painting, or at least survive once he stole the painting.
• His success is his ultimate goal.
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6. The thief is rarely harmed when their plans are foiled, just a
bit of wounded pride at most: • Billy and Lord Harbinger are not harmed. • Billy seemingly embarrasses himself in front of Lord
Harbinger, the other guests, and the staff as the painting falls out of his unzipped suitcase as he walks down the stairs.
• Lord Harbinger is humiliated in front of his guests as he tries to cover up the insurance scam.
• Unfortunately, Mr. Loxton gets caught up in his own bombing scheme and dies while trying to drive the bomb-rigged car away from Harbinger Hall.
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7. The Character is charming, clever, and witty so that the
audience will like him/her more than the worse villain.
• What's not to love about Billy's self deprecating humor?