A Song for You
The film takes place primarily in the house of a young
married couple Sara and Peter Brewster. Sara is a daughter
of a former Senator; as a child she was used to luxury and
high-class living. As the movie begins, she is returning
from her honeymoon with Peter Brewster, a scholar with good
prospects but not as much money as Sara is accustomed to.
She is an intelligent, unpredictable woman feeling trapped
in a life that has already begun to sap her spirit of her
once buoyant youthfulness.
Her passion for playing the piano fades during the first
third of the movie, symbolizing her waning passion. But when
Jack returns Sara begins to play once more. Jack was once
Sara's childhood lover and Peter's main academic competitor,
but had been ostracized from "society" for scandals
resulting from alcohol and drug abuse. Sara's husband, who
had helped usher Jack out of the picture, is of course
immediately on edge.
Also, Peter's Aunt Katie, who raised him because he
parents had died when Peter was only a young boy, becomes
fearful that her nephew stands to lose Sara, more
importantly Sara's inheritance, to Jack. This is why she
hints, not so subtly, that Peter and Sara should have a
baby, thus to cement their bond together as a family. Peter
does try to have a baby with Sara but he is unsuccessful
because he is impotent. Jack, a genius, gained sobriety
during the ten years he was away from "society." He returns
having succeeded already with one book and is now working a
new manuscript that has already achieved high accolades from
other scholars. Sara, looking to regain her lost passion,
presses Jack to renew their love affair.
At first, Jack is hesitant because of the possible
repercussions. But eventually they do become lovers again.
This love affair has Sara playing the piano again but Jack
cannot find an ending to his novel. In addition, society
begins to push on Jack to leave because of this scandalous
relationship. This failure and the social backlash drive him
to seek solace in drugs and alcohol yet again. The film
culminates in a scene with Peter, Sara, and Jack. The three
confront each other with varying issues and violence erupts
between the three.
Sara could be played by: Nicole Kidman, Cather
Zeta-Jones, Gwyneth Paltrow.
Peter could be played by: Tom Hanks, Matt Damon, Kevin
Kline or Kenneth Branaugh
Jack could be played by: Hugh Jackman, Christian Bale, or
Russell Crow
Aunt Katie could be played by: Sigourney Weaver, Kathy
Bates, or Faye Dunaway
-- Script Pitch III Host Commentary --
by Lee Tistaert and Stephen Lucas
Lee's Analysis:
This is the kind of premise that usually threatens me
before I’m about to be dragged to see it by someone else,
for its extreme art-house factor. But let me say that I do
like art-house stuff, it’s just when everything is really
slow and the plot points aren't that absorbing at first
glance that I’m hesitant about.
The element that makes me yawn in that "art house" way
is that the woman’s passion for playing the piano is fading,
a factor that plays another part later on. This
can very easily be a who-cares issue, but if written right,
can stem beyond the idea of a piano and have subtext
regarding the passions that other people, watching the film,
might have. And if you strike that part accordingly, or in a
similar angle, you might very well have a worthy production.
At first glance I’m not relating to the main
relationship at stake, probably because there doesn’t seem
to be a lot of backbone – some of the conflicts sound rather
typical. But that can also change when you write it, apply
dialogue and situational details. This could end up being a
mediocre project, but I could see there being hope.
Stephen's Analysis:
I think you have a decent setup for a film here. The
plot is rather simplistic and we’ve seen variations on it in
different films, but if cast correctly the movie may fair
well. I’d suggest the writer add something edgy to the
script to give it some oomph, but other than that I don’t
have much to say for or against this pitch except your cast
suggestions. Pretty much you have a laundry list of great
actors, but which ones will work together well? You need to
think about that.
Rating: C+
