21 (2008) - Allan Loeb

August 21, 2006

21

Screenplay by Allan Loeb

Synopsis by Brian Aldrich

Boston working class math genius KEVIN LEWIS has put himself through M.I.T. by working as a clerk at Brooks Brothers. He aspires to attend Harvard Med School, but lacks the money. He and his friends MILES and TAY are trying to win a competition with their design for a computer chip that uses the GPS system to auto-drive a car. The competition prize money isn’t enough to cover Harvard, but the prestige may enable him to win the Thibault Award that would give him a full scholarship. To keep his MOTHER from working herself to death like his FATHER did, Kevin lies to her, telling her he has already won the scholarship. Meanwhile, Kevin has a huge crush on JILL TAYLOR, a fellow genius with beauty to match her brains. Professor MICKY ROSA invites Kevin to join his Blackjack Team that includes fellow students ANDRE MARTINEZ, KIANNA, JASON FISHER, and Jill. At first, Kevin is reluctant to get involved with gambling, but his money pressure, his goals, and his desire to flee from his abusive boss WARREN lead him to join the team.

Coach Micky teaches and trains Kevin in the art of card counting and the team strategies necessary to outwit the casinos without exposing himself. Micky doesn’t play anymore as he has already been identified by the casino’s security departments and he has a row of missing teeth to show for it. The team flies to Vegas and begins to rake in the money. Kevin proves to be a natural and Micky promotes him to team leader. At the end of the weekend, Kevin returns home with a bundle of money he hides in his dorm room’s air vent. Kevin’s friends are shocked to witness his developing friendship with Jill. While they have chemistry together, Jill wants to keep their relationship professional. Meanwhile, Kevin’s play has caught the eye of security chief VINCENT COLE, an old school Vegas veteran (he bashed out Micky’s teeth) who is quickly being pushed towards early retirement due to the casinos replacing him with computer programs. He’d like to catch Kevin before his career ends. As the weekends pass, Kevin continues to return with bundles of money. He begins to enjoy the Vegas lifestyle and the luxurious perks. He happily quits his clerk job and tells off his boss. Unfortunately, his Blackjack career has led him to ignore his responsibilities to Miles and Tay. They drop him from their team. In Vegas, jealous Fisher makes a scene in the casino with Kevin, nearly exposing them all to security. After Micky humiliates him, Kevin bands with the others to continue their operations without Micky. The team continues to rake in money. Kevin and Jill finally have sex. Then, the team realizes Micky has sent in another team to block their play. They switch to different casinos, but Micky calls in an anonymous tip to Cole. Cole and his thugs grab Kevin and give him a beating. Kevin announces he’s quitting the team, but when he returns home he finds his cache of money has been stolen. He confronts Micky who tries to convince him that Jill stole the money. Desperate for easy money, Kevin agrees to work for Micky one more time on the condition Micky plays. Wearing disguises, Kevin and Micky win an enormous amount of money. Cole shows up to surprise Micky. As the team members scatter to escape, Micky and Kianna try to slip away with all the money, but Kevin and Jill outwit them. Cole catches Micky. Apparently, Cole and Kevin made a deal. Cole takes Kevin’s winnings for his own retirement. Kevin uses the story of his gambling adventures to win the scholarship and go to Harvard.

Summary Criticism: A well-crafted script with a fast paced, compelling plot and sympathetic characters to match - the Blackjack lessons alone were intriguing.

21 (2008) - imdb

21 (2008) - wiki

Reign Over Me (2007) - Mike Binder

December 14, 2005

REIGN O’ER ME

Screenplay by Mike Binder

Synopsis by Brian Aldrich

Spanish ex-patriot ALAN FALLARDON’s life is almost too much for him to handle. Living in NYC, he juggles his time between his successful dental practice, his wife JANEANE, their 3 kids, and his ailing elderly parents BENITO and HENRIQUA. He is a busy man, loaded down with the responsibilities of adult life in the 21st Century. While running yet another errand, he sees his old college roommate CHARLIE MCCALLUM who he hasn’t seen in years. He appears unkempt and rides a motor scooter. Charlie’s wife and kids were killed on 9/11/01 when the plane they were traveling on crashed into one of the World Trade Center towers. When a new patient, DONNA REMAR, makes unwanted sexual advances towards him, he has his tough office manager, MELANIE, tell her not to return. This prompts a sexual harassment suit from Melanie and Alan’s partners tell him to solve the problem before the lawsuit bankrupts them. Alan is reunited with Charlie and tries to reignite their friendship. However, Charlie lives in his own world of comic books and video games. He no longer practices dentistry and lives the life of a ten year old. Charlie has hidden himself away from the unpleasant reality of his life and refuses to talk or even think about it.

When Alan tries to bring up the deaths of his family, Charlie freaks out and won’t listen. Charlie’s in-laws, JONATHON and GINGER TIMPLEMAN, share their concern for Charlie to Alan. While they have a genuine concern for Charlie, they did not share in the settlement money Charlie received from insurance and the government. They question the motives of Charlie’s best friend and accountant BRIAN SUGARMAN and his landlady ADELL MODELL. Janeane begins to resent all the time Alan spends with Charlie and makes him sleep on the couch. When Alan’s father Benito dies, his mother Henriqua wants to return to live in Spain with Alan’s brother JORGE, but Alan tries to find her another apartment to separate herself from her memories. Alan reluctantly meets with Donna who surprises him with an apology for her erratic behavior caused by her recent betrayal and divorce. Alan sets up a meeting between Charlie and therapist NIGEL PENNINGTON, but Charlie won’t go for it and freaks out again. Janeane tells Alan to move out and he goes to live with his mother.

Charlie watches the news for the first time in years. The harsh reality motivates him to ask Alan for help. Alan introduces Charlie to ANGELA OAKHURST, a young therapist who also counsels Donna. Their sessions go slowly, but eventually Charlie is able to talk about his late wife and children. Alan reluctantly sends his mother back to Spain. Finding himself back in reality, Charlie begins to get suicidal thoughts and almost kills himself. He is arrested when he pulls an unloaded gun on a TAXI DRIVER. While the criminal charges are dropped, the Timpleman’s want Charlie hospitalized and made executors of his estate, but Alan, Angela, and Silverman fight to keep Charlie independent. The JUDGE is sympathetic, but the Timpleman’s lawyer, ABE FOSTAL, makes a show of having Ginger pull out her dead grandchildren’s photos which freaks Charlie out. The Judge puts Charlie in a mental hospital for 3 days of observation. While Angela reports Charlie could recover, the hospital recommends Charlie be committed for a year. The Timpleman’s realize Charlie deserves a chance and don’t force the commitment order. Charlie moves into a new apartment. Angela sets him up on a date with Donna. Alan drives home to his wife and kids on Charlie’s motor scooter.

Summary Criticism: The characters are all sympathetic and their mutual dilemmas compliment one another. Funny and tender moments balance each other. Ultimately however, the denouement isn’t focused and the story ends weakly.

Reign Over Me (2007) - imdb

Reign Over Me (2007) - wiki

The Quick and the Dead (1995) - Simon Moore - Sam Raimi

May 31, 1993

THE QUICK AND THE DEAD

Screenplay by Simon Moore

Synopsis by Brian Aldrich

In Colorado, 100 years ago, ELLEN, a young female shootist, arrives in a tough outlaw town to enter a bizarre contest where the contestants fast draw against one another until the last man is still alive. The town is run by MAYOR JOHN HEROD, a fast-gun shootist who gets 25% of every dollar spent in town. Unless they are hookers or hooker's children, single women are an unusual sight in this town. Ellen can't get a room in NELLY WEITZ hotel, so she gets a room in HORACE's saloon. Popular gunman ACE HANLON arrives as well as other well-known shootists: SGT. QUANTRILL, a black gunman; SCARS, an escaped prisoner; GUTZON, a foreigner; and SPOTTED HORSE, an Indian who claims to be invulnerable to bullets. Thieves FLAT NOSE FOY and RATSY show up with a prisoner, CORT, a former bounty hunter turned Priest. Herod arrives and agrees to let Cort live if he wins the contest.

The first duel is fought between the KID, a young ambitious gunman who is Herod's bastard son, and Gutzon. The Kid wins. Cort declares he will not shoot, but he is given one bullet with which he kills his opponent Flat Nose. Herod, pleased to see Cort fall from grace, faces against Ace Hanson and blows him away. Ellen faces DOG KELLY, a dirty swine, and wins her duel.

Meanwhile, Ellen saves Cort from a beating. She reveals she's here to kill Herod for killing her father years ago. Evidently, Ellen's father was the town MARSHALL who Herod killed and then took over the town.

The next day, Herod kills Quantrill who was paid by Nelly Weitz to enter the contest and kill Herod. Herod runs her out of town. The Kid kills Scars. After whorehouse owner EUGENE DRED rapes a teenager, Ellen kills him in their duel. Cort proves Spotted Horse is not invulnerable to bullets. That night, Cort has a chance to run away, but he won't leave Ellen alone to face Herod.

The next day, Herod asks the Kid to step down, but the Kid proudly refuses. Herod kills his own son. Cort and Ellen are forced to duel. Cort kills Ellen. Finally, Herod faces Cort. Cort starts to walk away. Suddenly, the town starts blowing up from Ellen's dynamite. She appears. Her death was faked. She duels and kills Herod. Cort takes over as Marshall and cleans up the town.

Summary Criticism: While the main characters are intriguing, the ending is unnecessarily contrived.

The Quick and the Dead (1995) - imdb

The Quick and the Dead (1995) - wiki

Hearts in Atlantis (2001) - Stephen King & William Goldman

May 29, 2000

HEARTS IN ATLANTIS

Screenplay by Stephen King & William Goldman

Synopsis by Brian Aldrich

When fiftysomething BOBBY GARFIELD learns his childhood pal, JOHN SULLIVAN, a Vietnam war hero, has died, he travels back to Harwich, Connecticut for the funeral. At the reception, Bobby eagerly awaits the arrival of CAROL GERBER, his childhood sweetheart. However, a RED HAIRED woman, a recent friend of Sully’s, informs Bobby that Carol was killed years ago during the late sixties when the bomb she was making blew up, exploding the house she was staying in. Crushed, Bobby remembers their lives together years ago.

In 1960, Bobby, 11, lives in Harwich with his single mom, LIZ GARFIELD, who works in an office and aspires to become a real estate agent. A bitter woman, she frequently speaks ill of her dead husband, calling Bobby’s father a worthless gambler who spent everything and left them with nothing. Bobby is disappointed that Liz can’t afford to buy Bobby a bike for his birthday. Instead, she gives him a library card. Carol and Sully are his best friends. A retired accountant, TED BRAUTIGAN, comes to live in the upstairs apartment. He introduces himself to them. While Liz looks down on him, Bobby is intrigued. Having bad eyes, Ted offers Bobby a job to raise money for his bike, a dollar a day to read him the newspapers, and to walk around the neighborhood once a day, watching out for strange men in yellow coats, lost pet posters tacked to trees, strange hopscotch marks on sidewalks, large flashy cars, etc. Ted predicts Bobby’s glorious first kiss will be with Carol. Liz worries if Ted might be a child molester. Bobby witnesses Ted being in a trance-like state with his eyes growing and shrinking in his face. Suddenly, Bobby’s perceptions begin to become brighter than before. Atop the amusement park Ferris wheel, Bobby and Carol share their first kiss. Amazingly, Bobby’s sharpened abilities allow him to defeat McQUOWN, a three card monte card shark, and win back his friends’ money. Sully accidentally hits himself in the nuts with his bo-lo bouncer. Bobby starts to see some of the strange signs Ted warned him about, but fearing Ted will leave, Bobby doesn’t inform him. At the park, high school kid, HARRY DOOLIN, and his two goons harass Carol and Bobby. Ted steps in. He whispers to Doolin that he knows his secret shame and will expose him if he doesn’t apologize to Carol and Bobby. Doolin apologizes. Liz has to accompany her BOSS to a seminar in Providence, so she leaves Bobby with Ted for the weekend. Ted takes Bobby to see a movie. Afterwards, Ted stops by a pool hall to make a bet. Old FRIENDS of Bobby’s father tell him his father was a big winner and a man of integrity. Ted predicts Bobby will be with Carol forever. Bobby realizes Ted is planning to use his winnings for travelling money. Ted has known all along about the signs Bobby has seen. Doolin beats up Carol with his baseball bat. Bobby carries her home. Ted starts treating her wounds. Freshly beaten up by her sex crazed boss, Liz returns home, thinks Ted is molesting the kids and kicks him out. Bobby learns Liz has turned Ted into the strange men for the reward. They argue. Bobby says goodbye to Ted and witnesses the men take him away. Bobby gives Doolin a baseball bat beating. When the cops come to arrest Bobby, Liz gives him an alibi. They move out of town. Bobby says goodbye to Carol and Sully, but they do not keep in touch over the years.

Back in the present, the red-haired woman reveals she is Carol, living under another name. Bobby and Carol decide to spend the rest of their lives together, just as Ted had predicted.

Summary Criticism: As a metaphor for loss of innocence and a cloaking device for child molestation, this well-crafted script successfully manipulates these subliminal fears. The characters are sympathetic and the plotting suspenseful.

Hearts in Atlantis (2001) - imdb

Hearts in Atlantis (2001) -wiki

Lucky You (2007) - Eric Roth - Curtis Hanson

May 10, 2004

LUCKY YOU

Screenplay by Eric Roth, Revisions by Curtis Hanson

Synopsis by Brian Aldrich

In Las Vegas, motorcycle riding HUCK CHEEVER is a professional gambler with a reputation for betting aggressively. Despite the huge amounts he is able to win, he loses it all just as quickly. He is on the constant prowl for stake money. When Huck gets really desperate for cash, he pawns his dead mother’s wedding ring that he won from his estranged father LC CHEEVER, a successful and famous professional gambler. Huck doesn’t sleep a lot. He enjoys playing poker too much. His big dream is to win the three million dollar grand prize at the World Series poker tournament.

Meanwhile, BILLIE OFFER, a twenty something single mother from Bakersfield, arrives in town by bus and walks in on her sister SUZANNE having casual booty call sex with Huck. Later on at the Bellagio, Huck is winning until LC sits down to play against him. As they play, LC mocks his son’s moves and ultimately cleans him out of his money and the precious wedding ring. JOHN ROY, an obese money man, offers to bankroll Huck’s 10K buy in for the tournament in return for a 60/40 share. Huck turns him down. Meanwhile, Billie makes the Las Vegas rounds, auditioning her singing talents for every lounge manager in town. Cleaned out, Huck goes to borrow money from Suzanne, but finds out Billie has $1000 in traveler’s checks. Huck convinces her to celebrate her new singing job with him by gambling with her money. He wins enough to repay her “loan,” but eventually loses his winnings. LC stops by to mock him some more. Huck romances Billie and takes her to bed. In the morning, he “borrows” back her $1000 and returns to the poker tables. LC stops by and Huck wins back the wedding ring on a side bet. Huck tries to apologize to Billie, but she feels used and rejects him. Billie tells Suzanne about her night with Huck. Suzanne isn’t surprised Huck used her. Huck enters a preliminary game and loses his chance for a free buy in to the tournament. Desperate for the buy in money, he agrees to a 70/30 deal with John Roy. Huck uses the money to pay back Billie. LC acts vulnerable to get Huck into a one on one game. Huck loses his stake money. JIMMY THE MOUTH bets Huck 10K he can’t run five miles and shoot 18 holes of golf in exactly 3 hours. Billie holds the stopwatch. Huck loses by two seconds. When Huck complains to her for not cheating for him, she gets furious and leaves him. When John Roy learns Huck lost the stake money, his GOONS give Huck a beating and warn him to raise the money or else. Huck learns from Suzanne that Billie has gone home to Bakersfield for a few days. Huck sells the ring to LC to get some cash that he uses to win back his stake money. He goes to Bakersfield to see Billie, but she has no time for him.

The tournament starts. Huck wins games and moves up in position. Billie stops by and introduces him to her little boy NICKY. As the game winds down, Huck finds himself playing against LC and a third player JASON KEYES. In the men’s room, father and son attempt a reconciliation. LC laments his age and mourns for his lost youthful success in poker. The tournament ends with father playing against son. Even though he has the aces, Huck dumps and lets LC win the three million and the fame. Later, LC, suspecting his son’s generosity, plays Huck and loses the money to him. Huck marries Billie and takes her to Paris. He starts to value his life with her and Nicky more than a poker game.

Summary Criticism: While the structure is formulaic, the underwritten father and son relationship shows great promise. The gaming and the eccentric peripheral characters are intriguing.

Lucky You (2007) - imdb

Lucky You (2007) - wiki

My First Mister (2001) - Jill Franklyn

September 21. 1997

MY FIRST MISTER

Screenplay by Jill Franklyn

Synopsis by Brian Aldrich

Seventeen year old JENNIFER ANNE WALTERS is an angry young woman. She wears black, has several different face and body piercings, and spends most of her time relaxing in the cemetery. Her hippie father left her Donna Reed mother when she was a child and Jennifer grew up alone, lonely and resentful. After graduating high school, anti-social Jennifer finds it impossible to keep a job until she goes to work in a Century City clothing store owned and operated by RANDOLPH, a paunchy fortyish fellow, who treats her with understanding and respect.

Randolph and Jennifer become friends. Her teaches her how to dress and helps her get an apartment away from her mom, SYLVIE, and her stepfather, BOB. Although there is a sexual attraction, Randolph and Jennifer remain platonic friends. Randolph reveals he was once married long ago, but the marriage didn’t work out. Eventually, Jennifer finds out Randolph is dying of cancer. He encourages Jennifer to embrace what family she has and get to know and appreciate them. So, as Randolph lies dying in a hospital bed, Jennifer visits her long lost hippie father, BENJAMIN, and his former mistress, now his wife SHEILA. Jennifer even apologizes to her mother for being a poor daughter and promises to be friends. Mom faints.

Jennifer wants to make Randolph happy. She drives to Arizona to find his long lost wife, SARA, but learns she has recently died from her handsome son RANDY, 19, who learns from Jennifer that his never-seen father, Randolph, is dying. Jennifer and Randy drive back to L.A. in his van. They enjoy one another and their mutual attraction is obvious. Meanwhile, Randolph moves back home to die, accompanied by PATTY, his friend and nurse. Jennifer and Randy arrive to find Randolph and Patty having sex. Jennifer holds a once-in-a-lifetime family dinner including Sylvie and Bob, Benjamin and Sheila, Randolph, Randy and Patty. It is a special night of forgiveness. After Randolph dies, she reflects on how he changed her life and looks forward to a future with Randy.

Summary Criticism: The characters are three-dimensional and sympathetic; the plot is engaging and humorous.

My First Mister (2001) - imdb

My First Mister (2001) - wiki

Everybody Wins (1990) - Arthur Miller

July 17, 1988

ALMOST EVERYBODY WINS

Screenplay by Arthur Miller

Synopsis by Brian Aldrich

TOM O'TOOLE is a private detective who has gone up against the system one too many times. He's worn out. But a sexy young woman named ANGELA approaches him with a seemingly worthwhile case. FELIX EPSTEIN is in prison for killing his uncle, DOCTOR DANIELS. But Felix and Angela swear that he was set up by the police to take the rap for someone else. Tom is reluctant to take the case. Angela seduces him. He takes the case.

Tom's wife, CONNIE, is suspicious of his dealings with Angela and the midnight phone calls. Angela tells Tom that she knows that the murderer is a burnt-out case named JERRY. Tom goes to see AMY who might lead him to Jerry. She says the cops let him go even though he confessed to the murder. Tom sees Jerry who is building a church out of a shack in the woods. Jerry gets away on his motorcycle. Tom runs into Angela who acts strangely. It turns out she has many personalities, one of which is a debutante, one a hooker. Tom has his friend JUDGE MARKS take a look at Felix's trial transcript. Tom lets his arch enemy, STATE ATTORNEY CALLAGHAN know that he is investigating the Epstein case. Tom takes Angela and Jerry out for a pizza. Tom gets the sense that Jerry is filled with guilt and would like to confess, but isn't being allowed to do so. Tom visits Angela's shrink to find out if he can trust what she is saying to be the truth. The shrink says yes. Tom talks with Jerry again. Jerry agrees to talk about what happened. Angela informs Tom that Jerry ran drugs for Doctor Daniels. The police department was involved in the drug sales. So when Daniels was killed and Jerry confessed, Callaghan was worried about Jerry talking about the drug business. Thus, Callaghan framed Felix and released Jerry. Tom and Jerry talk. Jerry is suicidal. Jerry reveals that Angela was in the room when he killed Daniels (he was one of her lovers). Jerry kills himself. Tom goes to Judge Marks with the information. Marks gets Felix released and a new trial, but keeps the police involvement out of the picture. Tom returns to his wife. Angela stays with Marks and future Senator Callaghan.

Summary Criticism: While the crime itself is an interesting premise, the steps leading to its detection are contrived, exposition-laden, and boring.

Everybody Wins (1990) - Arthur Miller - imdb

Everybody Wins (1990) - Arthur Miller - wiki

The Devil's Advocate (1997) - Jonathan Lemkin - Andrew Neiderman

April 12, 1992

DEVIL'S ADVOCATE

Screenplay by Jonathan Lemkin, Novel by Andrew Neiderman

Synopsis by Brian Aldrich

KEVIN TAYLOR is an ambitious, hard-working, litigator working for a firm in upstate New York. By cleverly questioning a 10 year old girl, he gains an acquittal for a teacher suspected of child molesting. Afterwards, Kevin is approached by PAUL SCHOFELD, a lawyer with Milton and Associates, a large N.Y.C. firm. Schofeld offers Kevin a job with the firm at three times his salary. First, Kevin goes to his own firm and asks for a partnership. When he is refused, he takes the job offer.

Kevin and his wife, MARY ANN, move to a luxurious apartment in Manhattan. The previous tenant was a lawyer with the firm who killed himself. All the lawyers in the firm live in the building and the head of the firm, JOHN MILTON, occupies the penthouse. Milton is a father-figure who quotes the classics and the Bible. His wealthy firm represents filthy rich clients who have gotten themselves into trouble. His firm never loses and they never settle out of court. Milton reconciles his firm's lack of conscience by performing a few token good deeds. Kevin is assigned a pro bono case where a SANTERO PRIEST is accused of violating a health ordinance when he slaughtered some live animals during a religious ceremony. Kevin goes to work. He gets the Priest off. Kevin is rewarded with a bigger case. Wealthy DESMOND CULLEN is accused of killing his wife, his maid, and his child, but he explains that he was screwing his secretary MELISSA while the murders occurred. As Kevin investigates the case, he finds out that Melissa is a lesbian. Despite feelings of conscience, Kevin gets Desmond acquitted. Racked with guilt, Kevin starts to see demons everywhere. Schofeld's estranged wife, HELEN, is hospitalized for her erratic behavior. Kevin confronts her and she confesses she see the demons also. She kills herself. Kevin tries to talk with his old friends and they are mysteriously killed. Kevin returns home to find his wife under Milton's spell. Kevin confronts Milton who admits to being the devil who is promoting evil in the world. Kevin demands his life back. Kevin kills Milton's body, defeating the devil. Kevin goes to work as a lawyer for the poor.

Summary Criticism: Although this plot line sounds a bit outlandish, this is actually an engaging and timely script for the post-80's cinema. It's JACOB’S LADDER meets ROSEMARY’S BABY.

The Devil's Advocate (1997) - Jonathan Lemkin - Andrew Neiderman - imdb

The Devil's Advocate (1997) - Jonathan Lemkin - Andrew Neiderman - wiki

A Civil Action (1998) - Steven Zaillian - Jonathan Harr

August 17, 1997

A CIVIL ACTION

Screenplay by Steven Zaillian, based on the book by Jonathan Harr

Synopsis by Brian Aldrich

Boston lawyer JAN SCHLICHTMANN is not an ordinary ambulance chaser--he is a shark. He runs a major personal injury firm, dresses in expensive suits, spends money lavishly, and has a lot of charm. When one of his partners, CONWAY, brings him a difficult case involving eight children in a small town dead of leukemia and the city’s drinking water is under investigation, Jan orders the losing case be dropped. However, when ANNE, one of the dead children’s mothers, harasses him on a call-in radio program, Jan decides to end the case personally. He drives to small town Woburn to turn them down personally, but finds that the two offending business polluting the river include, J.J. RILEY TANNERY, a subsidiary of BEATRICE FOODS, a large food conglomerate, and W.R. GRACE, an international chemical company. Having found defendants with “deep pockets,” Jan now considers the case profitable enough to accept.

Beatrice’s law firm, HALE & DORR, assigns JERRY FACHER, a sports fanatic with a low-key style, to the case. Grace’s law firm, FOLEY, HOAG, and ELIOT, assigns pompous WILLIAM CHEESEMAN who tries to get the case dismissed as a frivolous suit. However, JUDGE SKINNER denies the motion. Jan deposes the parents of the dead children and several of the workers from the two plants. He builds a convincing case out of horrifying evidence of corporate neglect. Expensive scientific studies help support Jan’s case. Jan’s firm’s accountant GORDON worries about the rising costs of the case now up to $1.4 million. Jan has to plead for more money from UNCLE PETE, his bank’s Vice-President. Honest Grace employee AL LOVE lives across the street from ANNE and decides to blow the whistle on his company and gets a few others to do so as well. Facher tells Jan he’ll never let the parents testify and makes an offer to cover Jan’s expenses. Cheeseman makes an offer as well. Jan asks for $410 million dollars. Facher and Cheeseman walk out of the meeting. The jury is chosen and the case begins. Facher makes one of Jan’s geologists, DR. PINDER, look stupid. Meanwhile, Gordon goes nuts juggling the accounts to keep the firm afloat. After failing to win the lottery, Gordon pleads with Pete for more money. Facher convinces Judge Skinner to not let the families testify unless the jury decides there has been contamination by the negligent conduct of the defendants. Waiting for the jury’s decision, Facher makes a small settlement offer to Jan, who, while nervous about his firm’s impending bankruptcy, turns him down.

The jury finds Grace responsible for contamination, but Beatrice not responsible. The case against Beatrice is dismissed. Grace invites Jan and company to come to New York and sit down with AL EUSTIS, the Executive Vice President. Jan tells his partners that although they are broke, they have to give the appearance of prosperity in order to convince Grace that they will continue with the case if need be.

Not wanting his company to appear liable, Eustis wants to settle, but only for eight million which would barely cover Jan’s expenses. He wants at least $20 million, but his partners beg him to settle. Jan is concerned for the parents of the dead children. Reluctantly, Jan settles. After expenses, the families get $375k a piece, but Anne is furious and still wants an apology. Jan’s partners want to dissolve the firm. Broke, Jan has to start over. Suddenly, Jan has an idea. He finds JAMES GRANGER, a maintenance engineer who was paid to clean up the toxic mess at Beatrice’s tannery. Jan can prove Beatrice’s man RILEY perjured himself. Jan turns his evidence over to the E.P.A. who finds the companies responsible. Although he declares bankruptcy, Jan feels a personal victory.

Summary Criticism: Although familiar and predictable, the script focuses on corporate greed and the ultimate folly of materialism. The characters are sympathetic and compelling.

A Civil Action (1998) - imdb

A Civil Action (1998) - wiki

License To Wed (2007) - Kim Barker

February 14, 2005

LICENSE TO WED

Screenplay by Kim Barker

Synopsis by Brian Aldrich

Timid substitute teacher BEN MURPHY finds himself assigned to the girls’ gymnastics class at Boston’s Brookline Prep School. On his first day with the class, the students completely walk all over him. Ben’s florist girlfriend SADIE JONES has obtained the Carlisle Hotel account. Ben becomes jealous of rich and handsome CEO CRAIG CARLISE, fearing Craig has designs on Sadie. Ben and Sadie become engaged. They planned to get married in Hawaii, but after GRANDMA JONES made them feel guilty, they agreed to get married in their local church St. Augustine’s. Ben and Sadie go to the church to arrange the plans. They meet REVEREND FRANK, a high-spirited, eccentric minister, who informs them of the marriage preparatory program they must take before he can approve their marriage and the use of the church. He warns them the program will be difficult. After Ben and Sarah agree, Frank explains the enormous amount of detailed personal and financial background information they must provide him.

Filling out the application form and gathering all the information turns out to be an arduous task, but Ben and Sadie get the job done and show up for their first counseling meeting. Frank’s unorthodox methods of preparing couples for marriage appears outrageous to them and they consider pleading with her family to change the venue and stop their counseling with Frank. But when Frank charms the Jones family, they are stuck taking the class. Frank uses a phony emergency to get Ben and Sadie out of their jobs to meet with him. He takes them to a hospital where NURSE BORMAN shows them the horrors of childbirth and illustrates the responsibilities of being parents. The program begins to affect Ben and Sadie’s relationship. Sadie becomes disturbed at the new things she’s learning about her fiancé. Frank and his ubiquitous assistant, CHOIR BOY, sneak into Ben’s apartment and find his porno stash. In Sadie’s apartment, they find out she spends a lot of money on expensive shoes. Frank shows up at Ben’s bachelor party and motivates him to let loose. Ben gets drunk, spends half of his savings on booze and wakes up on the Jones’ front lawn in a cheerleader outfit. Frank also sends male strippers to Sadie’s party despite her agreement with Ben not to have strippers at either party. Furious Sadie begins to have doubts about their marriage. She goes to the Carlisle resort to work with Craig. Frank and Choir Boy discuss Craig’s virtues in front of Ben. Jealous Ben heads off to the resort to plead his case with Sadie. She is too busy to talk with him, but Frank advises him to keep trying. Eventually, Ben makes a fool of himself in front of Sadie, Craig and her clients. Ben and Sadie make up. When Craig invites them to a shooting range, he shows off his excellence and superiority to Ben. When he teaches Sadie how to shoot, he gets a little too close to her for Ben’s comfort. With Frank’s prodding, Ben makes a public scene and accuses Craig of trying to seduce his fiancée. Sadie loses the account and calls off the wedding. She even burns her wedding dress and plans to go off to Hawaii with her roommate KAREN.

Ben is devastated. After explaining how his course serves to illustrate the difficulties of marriage, Frank gives Ben a pep talk and explains how Ben has learned to stand up himself. When Ben goes back to gym class, he takes control and earns the students’ respect. Ben decides to go ahead with the wedding and trick Sadie into showing up at the church. With the assistance of his students, Frank and Choir Boy, Ben arranges the wedding. Sadie is tricked into showing up at the church and succumbs to Ben’s honest proposal.

Summary Criticism: Similar to the “Meet the Parents” franchise, this domestic comedy proves to be quite humorous. The script is well-crafted and the characters are sympathetic.

License To Wed (2007) - imdb

License To Wed (2007) - wiki

Breach (2007) - Billy Ray - Adam Mazer - Bill Rotko

June 16, 2005

HANSSEN

(retitled BREACH)

Screenplay revisions by Billy Ray,

Based on “The Eleventh Hour” screenplay by Adam Mazer & Bill Rotko

Synopsis by Brian Aldrich

December 2000, seasoned veteran FBI agent ROBERT HANSSEN, the FBI’s liaison with the State Department and an incredible computer expert, is reassigned to start a new computer division in the months prior to his retirement. He’s married, has a bunch of kids and grandkids, and devotedly practices his Catholic faith daily. Young computer specialist ERIC O’NEILL, 25, works in the FBI Special Surveillances Group. He’s married to JULIANA, an immigrant from East Germany. He desperately wants to be made an agent. Special Agent KATE BURROUGHS reassigns Eric to become Hanssen’s office assistant. Apparently, Hanssen has been posting “lurid” material on the Internet. Hanssen could prove to be an embarrassment to the FBI, so she wants Eric to keep an eye on him.

Eric moves into his new office, wired for sight and sound by Kate’s crew. When Hanssen arrives, he appears distant and officious. He quickly makes it clear that he can tell when someone is lying and catches Eric sneaking into his inner office. Eric reports to Kate whenever she pages him. Juliana finds Eric’s behavior to be peculiar, but he can’t tell her what his new assignment is all about. As Eric gets to know his new boss, Hanssen appears to be a genuinely patriotic, conservative family man with no aberrant Internet pornography habits. Hanssen invites Eric and Julianna to go to church and picnic with his family. Eric starts to respect Hanssen and begins to think maybe the FBI is trying to railroad him out of the agency. When he shares his misgivings with Kate, she informs him that Hanssen has been a Soviet informant since 1985. Kate is trying to build a case against Hanssen so they can finally arrest him. Kate has 50 agents on the case. Kate wants Eric to download the information from Hanssen’s palm pilot, but Hanssen never leaves it out of his sight.

So, Eric arranges an accident and a photo appointment to get Hanssen out of his office and away from his palm pilot. The scheme works and Eric downloads the information. Hanssen catches him on moving his briefcase, but Eric lies successfully to cover himself. Kate informs Eric that the pal pilot provided them with a lot of evidence against Hanssen, but they need to search his car. So, Eric takes him to a DIA meeting in his own car. When the meeting is called off and they head back to the office, Eric has to delay their arrival until Kate’s crew can put Hanssen’s car back together. Afterwards, Eric notices Hanssen beginning to act erratically. When Hanssen gives him a package to be mailed to Germany, Eric opens it at home and finds a pornographic recording of Hanssen having sex with his unaware wife Bonnie. Julianna comes home and sees the recording. She’s already upset about Eric working for creepy Hanssen, so they have a fight about it. When Eric complains to Kate, she informs him that the car search found a package of classified materials wrapped up for a drop. She’s going to have Hanssen arrested after he makes the drop. Hanssen masturbates in Eric’s presence. He shows up drunk to Eric’s house and takes him for a ride. He shares that he thinks his car is bugged. Hanssen takes him out to the woods and begins shooting at the trees. Hanssen’s feeling sorry for himself, but Eric calms him down by telling him off. Eric and Kate watch video surveillance as Hanssen makes the drop and then is arrested. Hanssen is given life imprisonment. Eric quits the FBI and goes into law.

Summary Criticism: The characters are sympathetic. The story is compelling. Basically, this is a well-crafted script that brings current cultural topics (religion, privacy) into a routine spy genre story.

Breach (2007) - imdb

Breach (2007) - wiki

Untolerable Cruelty (2003) - Robert Ramsey, Matthew Stone, Joel Coen, Ethan Coen, Barbara Benedek

August 3, 1997

INTOLERABLE CRUELTY

Screenplay by Robert Ramsey, Matthew Stone, Joel Coen, Ethan Coen, Barbara Benedek

Synopsis by Brian Aldrich

“I’m gonna nail your ass” is the motto of slimy private detective GUS PETCH who gets video evidence of wealthy REX ROXROTH having an affair. Rex’s wife MARILYN hired Gus and uses his video as evidence in the divorce settlement trial. Her lawyer RUTH RABINOW asks for the primary residence plus 40% of the assets. However, Rex hires super lawyer MILES MASSEY to represent him. Miles puts Marilyn’s mother PATRICIA on the stand to quote her daughter as saying she only married Rex to divorce him and get his money. Marilyn loses her divorce claim.

Miles’ secretive elderly boss, HERB MEYERSON, thanks him for the huge amount of money he makes for the firm. Marilyn Rexroth shows up at his office with her new fiancé, HOWARD D. DOYLE, a rich crude oilman. They want the famous Massey prenuptial agreement for their wedding. Miles finds himself strangely attracted to Marilyn but is powerless to stop her impending marriage. When Doyle eats the pre-nup at the wedding, Miles figures she’s in it for the money after all and the marriage won’t last. Sure enough, the marriage fails, she has pictures of Doyle with another woman, and they get divorced. Miles asks her out to dinner. A few nights later she shows up on his doorstep drunk and miserable. They make love and he asks her to marry him. She accepts. At the civil wedding ceremony, Marilyn refuses to sign the pre-nup. They get married and begin to develop a life together until Miles sees Doyle acting on a TV show and realizes the marriage was a fake. Miles believes Marilyn married him to get revenge and get his money. When Miles confronts her, she confesses her motives began as revenge, but reveals she has fallen in love with him. Miles doesn’t believe her. He has Gus plant drugs in her car and has her arrested. For revenge, Marilyn informs the IRS of Miles’s undeclared income and he is audited.

Meyerson steps in to “handle things”. Miles meets with veteran mediator IRVING LEWIS who agrees to “talk” with Marilyn about her divorce demands. Later on, Miles learns Lewis is really a hitman who is going to kill Marilyn. Miles runs to stop Lewis. Meanwhile, Marilyn has paid Lewis double to work for her and when Miles shows up she has to stop Lewis from killing Miles. In the confusion, Lewis accidentally kills himself. Before the divorce agreement is final, Rex dies and Marilyn inherits his estate. Now, that both Miles and Marilyn have fortunes to protect, they reconcile, sign a new pre-nup, and resume their marriage. However, they both hire private detectives to follow one another, just in case.

Summary Criticism: Both farce and satire, the excesses of plot and character amplify the social critique in this well-crafted screenplay.

Untolerable Cruelty (2003) - imdb

Untolerable Cruelty (2003) - wiki

The Stars Fell On Henrietta (1995) - Philip Railsback

June 14, 1993

THE STARS FELL ON HENRIETTA

Screenplay by Philip Railsback

Synopsis by Brian Aldrich

In East Texas 1935, MR. COX is a worn-out oil promoter who has never had a successful strike. He travels the country with his cat MATILDA looking for oil. He claims he and Matilda can smell oil.

Cox comes to a farm owned by DON DAY, his wife CORA, and their two children, PAULINE and BEATRICE. Cox smells oil. He tries to get Don to put up the money for digging, but Don refuses. Cox goes into town to find an investor. He is refused by everyone. Down on his luck, Cox takes a job washing dishes and shares a room with black busboy, ROBERT. Meanwhile, Don has caught the oil bug and starts investigating costs. He uses his cotton money to rent a rig. After the rig busts and the banker starts asking for the mortgage money, Cora gets mad at Don who winds up sleeping in the barn.

Cox starts robbing wealth oilmen to raise money. After robbing BIG DAVE MCDERMIT at a poker game, Cox returns with his bankroll to invest in a first-rate oil rig for Don's farm. Cox and Don drill for oil. All the neighbors think Don is crazy. Matilda gets sick and Cora heals her. As the boys are about to strike oil, Big Dave and four hit men arrive to kill Cox. The rig explodes. Cox is injured. Don runs Big Dave off his land. Cox and Don become wealthy. Cox repays his "investors." Later, Cox gets itchy feet and leaves in search of new endeavors.

Summary Criticism: While a familiar and predictable story, the setting is interesting and the characters are sympathetic.

The Stars Fell On Henrietta (1995) - imdb

Henrietta, Texas - wiki

The Evening Star (1996) - Robert Harling - Larry McMurtry

October 10, 1993

THE EVENING STAR

Screenplay by Robert Harling, based on novel by Larry McMurtry

Synopsis by Brian Aldrich

AURORA GREENWAY is an uptight, upper class, Houston woman who does what she wants and gets what she wants--usually. ROSIE DUNLOP has been her maid for decades, but the two are actually a lot like sisters, except Aurora is still the boss. Years ago, Aurora's daughter EMMA died of cancer and Emma's husband, FLAP, flaked out, leaving Aurora with Emma's kids: TOMMY, TEDDY, and MELANIE. Presently, Tommy is in prison, Teddy is confused about life, and Melanie tried to commit suicide. Aurora is married to HECTOR "the general", an ailing, impotent man who Aurora takes care of and argues with constantly. Aurora was always jealous of Emma's childhood friend PATSY CARPENTER, a sexy, rich divorcee, and continues to be jealous of Patsy and Melanie's relationship which is deeper and closer than Aurora's and Melanie's. There is a oversexed Frenchman PASCAL FERNEY who wants to seduce Aurora, but she doesn't take to his advances. Aurora's had affairs, but nothing as romantic as the time she dated astronaut GARRETT BREEDLOVE, who is now married and raising a family of his own.

Melanie gets back with her boyfriend BRUCE, and with Patsy's help, they plan to set out for L.A. Evidently, Melanie wants to become an actress. Aurora is not pleased, but holds a going away party and gives her some money. Rosie is worried about Aurora and tricks her into seeing a therapist. JERRY BRUCKNER, 40, is an unusual combination of playboy and self-educated counselor. Slowly, Aurora begins to develop under his guidance. Her relationships with everyone begin to get better. Eventually, Aurora and Jerry have an affair. Hector becomes disturbed at Aurora's infidelity. Rosie exhorts Aurora who responds by taking her and Hector out for dinner. It is a happy evening until Hector drops dead.

Aurora is further devastated when she learns Jerry and Patsy are having an affair. After next door neighbor ARTHUR COTTON's wife dies, he asks Rosie to marry him. Meanwhile, Melanie gets a big break in Hollywood. Aurora flies out to California and predictably tries to take over the TV production. Aurora and Patsy have a bitter argument. Teddy gets married. When Aurora learns Rosie is dying, she cares for her until her death. Melanie becomes a big star. Tommy helps a weaker man in prison. The WARDEN gets him an early release. Tommy gets a job and soon has plans to marry the boss. Patsy and Aurora reconcile. Garrett arrives for a visit which encourages Aurora. Time passes, Aurora gets sick, but survives to care for her great-grandchild HENRY. Eventually, Aurora dies. She is finally at peace.

Summary Criticism: This is an evocative and tender sequel to TERMS OF ENDEARMENT. The characters and plot twists are intriguing.

The Evening Star (1996) - imdb

The Evening Star (1996) - wiki

The Ladykillers (2004) - Gilbert Pearlman

July 2, 1991

THE LADY KILLERS

Screenplay by Gilbert Pearlman

Synopsis by Brian Aldrich

MRS. TRUESDALE is a lonely, near-senile old woman who lives in a large antiquated Victorian house in a decaying neighborhood of L.A. She has advertised for some boarders. JIMMY "MAESTRO" MAX, a tweedy professor type, comes to rent a room. He also pays for his three friends who will be renting rooms as well. He explains that they are a musical quartet who will be rehearsing together to perform for a children's charity. ALEX CRENSHAW, a former stockbroker, LUCKY ALLISON, a clumsy, but muscular black man, and MARTY PALERMO, a grim slimeball, move in. The quartet closets themselves away in Max's living room to rehearse, but when the door is closed, they put on a CD to fool Mrs. Truesdale and review their plans to rob an armored car.

Mrs. Truesdale is a constant interruption. First, a senior citizen help group comes to paint the house. Then, her friends come to play cards and include the boarders. Then, a social worker, MARSHA SLADE, comes to check on Mrs. Truesdale. Max tricks her into staying away. The boys finally pull their heist. They even get Mrs. Truesdale to pick up a trunk from the airport which, unbeknownst to her, contains the loot. When the boys have packed up the loot and are ready to move out of her house, they have an accident and Mrs. Truesdale figures out what is going on. She demands to call the police. They decide to kill her. But they are inept and wind up killing each other. Mrs. Truesdale tries to tell her policeman friend what has occurred, but he thinks that she's senile and tells her to keep it to herself and keep the money. She does.

Summary Criticism: An intelligent and well-crafted remake, there are moments when the material is dated, but overall the story is humorous and delightful.

The Ladykillers (2004) - imdb

The Ladykillers (2004) - wiki

The Singing Detective (2003) - Dennis Potter

December 28, 1990

THE SINGING DETECTIVE

Screenplay by Dennis Potter

Synopsis by Brian Aldrich

In 1991, DAN DARK "THE SINGING DETECTIVE" is in the hospital, his face boiling with raging psoriasis, his neck stiff with arthritis. He sings to himself out loud, remembering real life events that inspired the stories he wrote.

In 1950, BINNEY picks up a hooker, NINA, in a bar and takes her to his apartment. He has rough sex with her and then two HOODS show up, grab her, and drown her in the bathtub.

The CHIEF SPECIALIST talks with Dark, advising him to get rid of his bitterness. A NURSE greases his body and accidentally causes him to ejaculate. Dark meets with DR. GIBBON, a shrink who has read Dark's books. NICOLA, who looks like Nina, is Dark's ex-wife who comes to visit him. She tells him a film company wants to buy his book. She wonders where he put the screenplay version he wrote years ago. He tells her to go fuck herself. He thinks that she and a Binney look-alike are conspiring to take his books and sell them for their profit. Dark starts writing again and gets better. Binney and Nicola find the script. She has to get Dark to sign over his rights.

In 1950, Dark is rehearsing in a dance hall when Binney comes in and asks Dark for help. Binney tells Dark that he didn't have anything to do with Nina's death, but the cops have asked him not to leave town. Binney wants Dark to find out what happened to Nina after she left him alive. The hoods come to kill Dark. He escapes them. Dark tells Binney that he thinks Binney did have Nina killed. A HOOKER tells Dark that Binney has been using hookers to get information from atomic scientists for the Reds. A BLONDE finds Binney dead, murdered.

Dark thinks of his mother, BETTY, who had an affair with MARK, who looks like Binney. When her husband found out, he kicked her out. She and Dan went to Chicago where she became a hooker. She killed herself.

In his hospital delusions, Dark sees the hoods come to kill him, but he kills them. Dark, recovered and reconciled with Nicola, walks out of the hospital with her.

Summary Critcism: This is a confusing, fragmented script, but there is a lot of style and depth to its content. While there is not a single coherent linear plot, the stories combine to tell an involving and intriguing tale.

The Singing Detective (2003) - Dennis Potter - imdb

The Singing Detective (2003) - Dennis Potter - wiki

The Road To Wellville (1994) - Alan Parker - T.C. Boyle

March 6, 1993

THE ROAD TO WELLVILLE

Screenplay by Alan Parker, based on the novel by T.C. Boyle

Synopsis by Brian Aldrich

In 1907, scientist DR. JOHN HARVEY KELLOGG, inventor of the corn flake, operates the BATTLE CREEK SANITARIUM, an institute for healthy biological living. His methods are ascetic at best. His crazy adopted son, GEORGE, keeps breaking into the sanitarium and bothering the guests. DR. K comes face to face with his enemy, DR. LIONEL BADGER, a fanatical vegetarian. Dr. K's assistant drops dead. Two patients are electrocuted accidentally.

ELEANOR LIGHTBODY has convinced her ailing husband, WILL, to go to the sanitarium with her. She has been there before and is an ardent disciple. She spends most of the time with her friends while Will struggles through five enemas a day. Feeling ignored and horny, Will has an affair with IDA MUNTZ, another patient. When Eleanor finally consents to have sex with Will, he is confused and unable to perform. Will witnesses the two patients being electrocuted. Later, Will learns that Ida has died in her sleep. Will leaves and goes to town for a steak.

Meanwhile, food inventor CHARLES OSSINING arrives in Battle Creek to meet up with GOODLOE H. BENDER, his partner in their new cereal business. Ossining finds Bender living a luxurious lifestyle on Ossining's AUNT's investment money. Bender meets George Kellogg and includes him in the business to utilize his last name. Bender, Ossining, and George rent a derelict factory and hire BARTHOLEMEW BOOKBINDER, a former Kellogg employee, to work for them as they develop their product. They try, but the product they create is inedible.

In town, Ossining meets Will at the restaurant and Will loans him a thousand dollars. They get drunk. Eleanor is furious when Will returns to the sanitarium drunk. Dr. K orders Will to surgery where they take out a piece of colon. Ossining, Bender, and George steal a shipment of cornflakes and put it in their boxes. Badger refers Eleanor to a quack doctor who gives her orgasms in the name of health therapy. Will begs Eleanor to return home with him. She refuses. Bender receives $32,000 in advance orders. Ossining's aunt, MRS. HOOKSTRATTEN, arrives. She informs Dr. K that George is in business with her nephew. Dr. K is shocked. Bender skips town with the money and leaves the debts behind for Ossining. Will tries to seduce NURSE GRAVES. Dr. K publicly calls Ossining a fraud and has him arrested. Will finds Eleanor in the midst of an orgy. They argue and reconcile. George begins blowing up the sanitarium. Dr. K saves George's life. Ossining escapes to become a cola millionaire. Dr. K rebuilds his sanitarium.

Summary Criticism: The characters are colorful; the plotting is hysterical.

The Road To Wellville (1994) - imdb

The Road To Wellville (1994) - wiki

Death and the Maiden (1994) - Rafael Yglesias - Ariel Dorfman

November 1, 1992

DEATH AND THE MAIDEN

Screenplay by Rafael Yglesias, Play by Ariel Dorfman

Synopsis by Brian Aldrich

In some revolution-plagued South American country, PAULINA ESCOBAR waits nervously for her husband to return home. She reaches for her gun when a strange car pulls up to her front door. Her husband, GERARDO ESCOBAR, 40, and a stranger, DR. ROBERTO MIRANDA, 40's, exit the car. Paulina is relieved. Apparently, Gerardo's car tire had gone flat. His spare was flat. Roberto stopped to assist Gerardo and wound up driving him home. After Roberto leaves, Paulina and Gerardo argue about whether or not he is going to accept the new President's appointment of him to head the Civil Rights Committee. Gerardo reveals that it is merely a do-nothing position. Suddenly, Roberto returns. He is returning the flat tire left in his car. Gerardo invites Roberto in for a drink. They talk politics. Roberto is a big fan of Gerardo's political activities. The two men get drunk. Paulina overhears their conversation. She sneaks out of the house and drives off in Roberto's car. She drives it off a cliff. She returns to the house and pulls a gun on Roberto. Apparently, Roberto is the cruel enemy doctor who raped her fourteen times when she was a prisoner during the revolution. Roberto denies the charges. Gerardo tries to bring sanity to the situation. Secretly, Paulina confides in Gerardo that all she wants is a taped confession; otherwise, she will kill Roberto. Roberto convinces Gerardo that he is innocent. Gerardo coaches Roberto on what to say in his false confession. Paulina catches on to them and freaks out. She is about to kill Roberto when Gerardo gets his call in to confirm Roberto's alibi. But, Paulina freaks out again and claims his alibi was faked. Roberto finally confesses. She lets him go.

Summary Criticism: While there are moments of intense drama, this story is basically contrived and predictable.

Death and the Maiden (1994) - imdb

Death and the Maiden (1994) - wiki

Flesh and Bone (1992) - Steve Kloves

June 21, 1992

FLESH AND BONE

Screenplay by Steve Kloves

Synopsis by Brian Aldrich

As a child, ARLIS SWEENEY was used by his evil father, ROY, to set up unsuspecting farm families so they could be robbed in the dead of night. One time, the plan backfires and Roy winds up killing the entire family except for a baby girl. Years later, Arlis is a lonely, but sensitive fellow who owns his own vending machine business and travels the countryside refilling his machines and romancing lonely housewives. At one stop, he watches as KAY, an attractive young woman working as the pop-out-of-a cake dancer at a bachelor party, throw up all over the groom. She's had too much to drink and Arlis takes care of her, bringing her back to his hotel room, cleaning her up and getting her breakfast in the morning, all the while listening to her problems. Later, he drives her home where she finds out her drunken, sleazy husband has sold all their furniture. She had it and takes off, asking Arlis for another ride.

Eventually, they fall in love and go to bed. A strange woman, GINNIE, shows up at their hotel room and asks for help. She winds up taking Arlis to meet his father who is wounded with buckshot. Back at the hotel, Arlis tends his father's wounds as the foursome gets acquainted. Arlis wants nothing more to do with his scumbag father and this woman who steals rings off the fingers of the dead. Roy and Ginnie finally take off; Arlis and Kay stay together.

Arlis sees a photo of Kay's in her suitcase. She turns out to be the baby girl that survived Roy's murderous rampage. Arlis is confused and doesn't know whether to tell her or not. Eventually, he decides to leave her without an explanation. Meanwhile, Roy and Ginnie have figured out who Kay is and trick her into coming out to the old farmhouse where her parents were killed. Arlis tracks them down. While Kay and Ginnie go for a walk, Roy tells Arlis that Kay must be killed. Arlis kills his father and tells Ginnie to run away. He lets off Kay back at the hotel, says goodbye, and takes off to return to his lonely lifestyle.

Summary Criticism: The characters are engaging, but the plot is based on a coincidence too extreme to be believable.

Flesh and Bone (1992) - imdb

Flesh and Bone (1992) - wiki

Breathing Lessons (1994) - Frank Galati - Anne Tyler

December 28, 1990

BREATHING LESSONS

Screenplay by Frank Galati, based on novel by Anne Tyler

Synopsis by Brian Aldrich

MAGGIE MORAN, 46, is a housewife, mother of two, married to IRA MORGAN, 50, with an athletic build and a sad smile. Her daughter, DAISY, 17, is about to go off for college. Her son, JESSE, is divorced and lives in his own apartment. He had gotten married to FIONA while in high school. Jesse had gotten Fiona pregnant, so they quit high school, got married, moved in with Ira and Maggie, and had a daughter who they named LEROY. Eventually, they got divorced. Jesse sat around moping until finally he got a crummy job and moved out on his own.

We learn all about this background as Maggie and Ira head from their home in Baltimore to a funeral in Pennsylvania. Years ago, they had attended the wedding of SERENA PALERMO to MAXWELL GILL and now Max has died. En route to the funeral, Maggie starts nagging Ira to stop in Deer Lick to visit Fiona and Leroy. Ira is reluctant. They stop at a diner and Maggie tells her life story to a waitress. Back on the road, Maggie and Ira argue and makeup. They go to the funeral where Serena asks them to sing the song they sang on Serens and Max's wedding day. Reluctantly, they comply, but it appears a bizarre thing to do. At the get-together after the funeral, Serena catches Ira and Maggie fooling around in her bedroom and asks them to leave. They do. Maggie finally convinces Ira to stop and visit Fiona and Jesse. Jesse plays with Leroy while Maggie convinces Fiona to come stay at their house for a few days and try to patch things up with Jesse. Reluctantly, Fiona agrees, having been convinced that Jesse is still in love with her and wants a reconciliation.

They arrive home in Baltimore. Maggie calls Jesse and nags him to come for dinner. Reluctantly, he agrees. Ira, Maggie, Daisy, Jesse, Fiona and Leroy sit down to dinner. They begin to argue, bringing up all of the old arguments. Jesse leaves in anger. Fiona leaves, but allows Leroy to spend the night with her grandparents. Ira finally tells Maggie what a nagging, busybody she really is and has been all these years. Maggie agrees and finally realizes her life is with Ira and not about interfering with everyone else's life.

Summary Criticism: This is a sweet and charming account of a busybody, very reminiscent of "Come Home Little Sheba" in tone. The characters are realistic and sympathetic.

Breathing Lessons (1994) - imdb

Breathing Lessons (1994) - wiki