Cavemen (2013) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

Dean's effort to write comedy intersects with his struggle to be honest about love and his relationship with Tess.

Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases

Stories and Social Pressure

Dean devotes himself to writing while his friends trade exaggerated stories at a bar. Pete's distress over another breakup helps the group press Dean to leave his work and join them.

Key Events

• Dean Focuses on His Script — Dean spends much of his time working on a screenplay while his friends seek his company. Characters: Dean Location: Unspecified
• Friends Tell Bar Stories — The men swap exaggerated stories about women and past encounters. Characters: Dean, Pete, Stan Location: Bar
• The Two-Stamps Story — One tale describes an Indian woman who supposedly gave a man two stamps. Characters: Dean, Pete, Stan, Other Indian Girl Location: Bar
• Pete's Breakup Distress — Pete is upset after another breakup with Beth, prompting friends to rally around him. Characters: Pete, Beth, Dean Location: Unspecified

Leaving the Script Behind

Dean resists his friends' invitation, arguing that he needs discipline. He eventually joins them, shifting from solitary work toward a more socially engaged life.

Key Events

• Friends Urge Dean Out — The group urges Dean to stop writing and join them for a night out. Characters: Dean, Pete Location: Unspecified
• Dean Resists Distraction — Dean initially refuses, saying he needs discipline to keep writing. Characters: Dean Location: Unspecified
• Dean Joins the Night Out — Dean eventually gives in and joins his friends for a night out. Characters: Dean, Pete Location: Unspecified

Feelings Entangled with Writing

As Dean becomes involved with Tess, he questions whether his attraction is genuine or connected to his writing. He decides he should tell her he likes her, but fails when he gets the chance.

Key Events

• Dean Becomes Involved with Tess — Dean's involvement with Tess brings his feelings and writing motives into question. Characters: Dean, Tess Location: Unspecified
• Dean Questions His Motives — Dean wonders whether he likes Tess genuinely or is drawn to her as writing material. Characters: Dean, Tess Location: Unspecified
• Dean Decides to Confess — Dean admits to himself that he likes Tess and decides he should tell her. Characters: Dean, Tess Location: Unspecified
• The Conversation Fails — When he catches up with Tess, Dean cannot manage the conversation and lets her leave. Characters: Dean, Tess Location: Unspecified

Comedy Meets Consequence

Tess hears Dean turn intimate stories about women into comedy material and confronts him. Dean cannot clearly explain his behavior, while the reader's criticism challenges the emotional honesty of his script.

Key Events

• Tess Hears His Stories — Tess hears Dean recount intimate and embarrassing stories about women as comedy material. Characters: Dean, Tess Location: Unspecified
• Tess Demands an Explanation — Tess confronts Dean and demands to know what is going on; he has no clear explanation. Characters: Dean, Tess Location: Unspecified
• Dean Writes the Groom Choice — Dean develops a scene in which a woman chooses a self-described geek over two other potential grooms. Characters: Dean Location: Unspecified
• Reader Questions the Love Story — A reader praises Dean's comic voice but questions whether the script feels like a story about falling in love. Characters: Dean Location: Unspecified

Story Breakdown

• Dean and Writing — Dean works on a screenplay and tries to shape comic material into a story.
  • Daily Script Work — Dean spends much of his time writing.
  • Comic Voice — A reader praises his comic details and distinctive voice.
• Barroom Stories — Dean's friends exchange exaggerated accounts of women and past encounters.
  • Exaggerated Tales — The men swap stories about women and previous encounters.
  • Two-Stamps Tale — One story concerns an Indian woman who supposedly gave a man two stamps.
• Pete's Breakup — Pete's distress after another breakup with Beth helps draw the friends together.
  • Pete Feels Upset — Pete is upset after his relationship with Beth ends again.
  • Friends Invite Dean — The group urges Dean to stop writing and go out.
• Dean Leaves Work — Dean first insists on discipline, then accepts his friends' invitation.
  • Initial Resistance — Dean says he needs to keep working on his script.
  • Night Out — Dean eventually joins his friends.
• Dean and Tess — Dean's romantic feelings become difficult to separate from his ambitions as a writer.
  • Questioned Motives — Dean wonders whether his interest in Tess is genuine or useful to his writing.
  • Unspoken Feelings — He decides to tell Tess he likes her but cannot manage the conversation.
• Tess Confronts Dean — Tess challenges Dean after hearing him use intimate stories about women as comedy material.
  • Stories Cause Strain — Tess hears Dean recount embarrassing stories as material.
  • Demand for Answers — Tess asks what is going on, and Dean has no clear explanation.
• The Script's Love Story — Dean's writing faces questions about whether its comedy can convey genuine love.
  • Groom Choice Scene — A woman chooses a self-described geek over two other potential grooms.
  • Reader's Challenge — A reader praises the comedy but questions the story's portrayal of falling in love.

Directed by

Herschel Faber

Key Cast

• Skylar Astin — Dean
• Camilla Belle — Tess
• Chad Michael Murray — Jay
• Dayo Okeniyi — Andre
• Alexis Knapp — Kat