The Gun Must Go Off

What good is a gun if it doesn't go off?

One of my favorite things I learned during my MFA was that when writers write, they often have props in the room. And if there's a prop, it must be used. Because good writers don't waste words. For example...if there's a gun lying on a table, it must go off. If there's a bottle of wine, it must be drunk. Locked doors must be opened, stairs must be climbed. 

I think I've always known this kind of thing in the back of my mind, but I'd never heard words put to it. Once it was vocalized for me in class, I was able to recognize it in almost every movie I watch. Here are some obvious "guns" to look for in movies.

Bathroom Mirror/Medicine Cabinet-If someone is looking in a bathroom mirror, 9 times out of 10 there's going to be someone standing in it when it closes. Proof: Like every scary movie made between 1980 and 2000.

Woman Throwing Up-If a woman throws in a movie, she is pregnant. Proof: Saved, The Debt, Baby Mama, Waitress.

This is gonna be important later...

Any device/object/random statement that is highlighted early on in a movie-It's gonna show back up in a major way later on. Proof: The spinning top in Inception. The "contaminated" water and "swing away" in Signs. The towels, music, and organized cabinets in Sleeping With The Enemy. 

Underdogs-If there's an athlete, a lowly person, a team coming from behind, they will probably pull ahead at some point in the movie. Usually after what seems like an impossible setback.

Wishes-If someone makes a wish, no matter how bizarre, it's usually gonna come true, but it's never gonna turn out like they hoped. Proof: Aladdin, Freaky Friday, It's A Wonderful Life, BIG.

It was bound to happen.

The Favorite-If someone expresses that something is their favorite something...it will be ruined. Favorite cars will be wrecked, favorite vases will be broken. Proof: Ferris Bueller's Day Off. And of course, Hilly's favorite pie in The Help.

Pockets-If someone puts something in their pocket, it's going to be a grounding/saving force at the end of the movie. Proof: Zuzu's petals in It's A Wonderful Life. One Eyed Willy's jewels in The Goonies. The Heart of the Ocean in Titanic. 

Best Friends-Best friends are usually either for comedy relief or for creating a love triangle. Proof: My Best Friend's Wedding, The Hunger Games, Twilight, Harry Potter, Toy Story, Monster's Inc. (Pretty much any Disney Movie or Rom/Com)

What other common "guns" can you think of in movies?