Reversal of the Week #1

Fast Times at Ridgemont High has a beautiful (and efficient!) reversal we can all learn from.

Older brother & car lover Judge Reinhold is stopped at a light. He's on a delivery, and is wearing his fast-food pirate uniform. A girl in a convertible beside him giggles. He thinks she’s flirting and smiles back. She giggles again; looks embarrassed. He realizes she’s laughing at his giant pirate hat. She drives away.

As we watch his car pull away, we see him toss the pirate hat out the window. Then every box of fish he was supposed to deliver. He’s done.

A reversal -- in 3 acts, and 3 minutes -- and all in a funny scene with no dialogue.

That's visual storytelling, people!