My my downright caustic review of the latest
Transformers installment caught the attention of Traverse City-based independent filmmaker Theresa Chaze (click
here for her website). She is also a published author, experienced video
producer, and accomplished communications professional, and she is hard
at work launching her new film
Never Can Say Good-bye (
IMDB page). I was honored when she asked if I would read her script and offer my thoughts.
(And the animal lover in me
adores this part of her impressive bio: “As the media specialist for
Angel Protectors of Animals and Wildlife,
she produced several public service announcements and
micro-documentaries. The messages remained informative and promoted
positive action to save our nation’s wildlife.” Yes! Another of her
potential projects is a TV show about equine therapy for veterans –
Horses and Heroes.)
Never Can Say Good-bye reinvents the reincarnation conceit (
Christopher Reeve’s/Jane Seymour’s 1980 film Somewhere in Time, Ellen Burstyn’s 1980 film
Resurrection in the guise of gothic paranormal psychodrama (Nicole Kidman’s 2001 film
The Others, Julie Harris’ 1963 film
The Haunting, Deborah Kerr’s 1961 film
The Innocents).
The plot concerns two families united by a doomed marriage in the 1950s
and explores the dissonant legacy that familial discord has had on
subsequent generations. (See the Stephen King/John Mellencamp musical
Ghost Brothers of Darkland County for another take on this thematic concept.)
I finished reading the script earlier this week. It is so well done
and layered and clever. I love the notion of turning a ghost story on
its head through the lens of reincarnation. I thought the characters
were all clearly and thoughtfully drawn, and the script is definitely a
page turner in the best sense. The disparate threads cohere in a
denouement that is both chilling and poignant. The dialogue is
believable, and the insular college-town setting (somewhere in northern
Michigan, I believe) lends a nice chilly, hierarchical vibe.
Different actors are reported to have been attached at various
points, including Lauren Holly, Bill Hayes, and Dyan Cannon. Stanley
Livingston is connected to direct. Obviously, “name” performers would
bring added attention to the project, but I daresay a cast of unknowns
would keep audience attention focused on the narrative and the dense web
of challenging relationships therein.
And, as in seemingly all creative efforts these days, there is a
crowd-source funding campaign afoot through Indiegogo – you can donate
here. From the campaign’s page …
We love a good ghost story. How about
you? We are not talking about films that gross out the audience or are
so dependent of special effects that the producers forgot to give the
characters personalities or have plots that are based on clichés or
simply don’t make any sense. Much like Dark Shadows, Never Can Say
Good-bye is based on suspense and plot twists that will scare the socks
off the audience and make them suspicious of the dust bunnies under
their beds.
Best of luck, Theresa – hope this script makes it to the silver screen soon – it’s a keeper!
To read the review on its original blog
click here.
Have
you ever met someone and suddenly felt love or hate? Did you wonder
why? What if you had forgotten the reason? Would you want to remember if
it could save you life?
Never Can Say Good-bye is a paranormal thriler-horror that combines a traditional ghost story with unique twists.
