Inheritance of Hope
Logline
After accidentally shooting a convenience store clerk, an illiterate country boy goes to jail, where he decides to learn how to read to pursue his dreams of becoming a doctor while dealing with the darker persuasions that constantly pulls at him.
Genre
Drama,Epic,Family,Young Adult
Short Summary
Trailer park dwelling with Gain determined to find a job so he can move out.
Gain not only becomes a medical doctor, he pulls others up with him who otherwise would be spending their life in and out of prison.
Setting
Texas
Based on a True Story
Yes
Plot - Premise
Internal Journey/Rebirth
Plot - Other Elements
Coming of Age,Happy Ending,Meaningful Message
Mature Audience Themes
Language/Profanity
Main Character Details
Name: Gain Bolton
Age: 18
Gender: Male
Role: Protagonist
Key Traits: Aspiring,Aggressive,Complex,Engaging,Heroic,Insecure,Naive,Underdog,Uneducated
Additional Character Details
Name: Pelt
Age: 45
Gender: Male
Role: Mentor
Key Traits: Badass,Complex,Confident,Criminal,Empathetic,Engaging,Selfless,Leader
Additional Character Details
Name: Dr. Vines
Age: 40s
Gender: Male
Role: emotional
Key Traits: Aspiring,Badass,Aggressive,Charming,Decisive,Blunt,Educated,Leader
Additional Character Details
Name: Tina Rollands
Age: 22
Gender: Female
Role: emotional
Key Traits: Aspiring,Complex,Confident,Decisive,Outspoken,Leader,Strong Moral Code,Sophisticated
Development Pitch
Gain Bolton is illiterate, which makes his desire to become a medical doctor more challenging, plus he’s in prison for attempted murder which makes his aspiration virtually impossible to achieve, yet he remains undaunted while navigating prison life. His inspiration is fueled by a support group headed by a very dangerous inmate named Pelt, who recruits fellow convicts to work for Men United, an organization that helps troubled teens avoid prison. Toughened by abuse and neglect, Gain is not the trusting type, so getting him to sign on becomes contentious. When he does, he befriends an old lifer who help him overcome his dyslexia. Of course, after twelve-years in prison where he completes his education, getting accepted into medical school becomes the new challenge because the rejections keep coming… The function of Men United is to cultivate a select group of convicts until they are ready for field duty. Under heavy guard convicts visit juvenile facilities where they counsel young detainees and, initially, the sessions are not amicable. Much to the distress of facility management convicts can get aggressive, and Gain was scary when he entered prison, so he does not hold back from laying hands on a mouthy kid. Yet Gain’s success in the program stems from his ability to relate to those he is assigned. He also shares his desire to become a doctor, and the kids see him studying between sessions, which inspires them to want to pursue their own dreams.
Genre
ACTION, DRAMA
Brief
A young black man from a poor community ends up shooting a store clerk during a robbery. After spending a lot of time in jail, he is able to fulfill his dream of becoming a doctor and help other people in similar situations to leave the criminal world.
Overall Rating
FAIR
Narrative Elements
Authors Writing Style: FAIR
Characterization: GOOD
Commerciality: GOOD
Franchise Potential: FAIR
Pace: FAIR
Premise: FAIR
Structure: FAIR
Theme: FAIR
Accuracy of Book Profile
Yes, it is accurate.
Draw of Story
What attracted me to the story was the complexity of the main character. The main hook may not be clear from the start, but it is possible to predict how the narrative will evolve.
Possible Drawbacks
The script evokes many clichés about black or low-income families and people, especially on the front pages. The author could approach the topic with much more complexity and creativity.
Use of Special Effects
THE STORY DOES NOT RELY ON SPECIAL EFFECTS
Primary Hook of Story
The main hook is the overcoming story of a man convicted of attempted murder who manages to fulfill his dream of becoming a doctor and helping others.
Fanbase Potential
Maybe not a large fanbase, but it would certainly attract an audience interested in breakthrough dramas.
Awards Potential
Not the way it is. Although the story does arouse a lot of human interest, it lacks creativity and a sharper eye to make it truly unique and touching.
Envisioned Budget
MEDIUM BUDGET
Similar Films/TV Series
HURRICANE - A FILM ABOUT THE TRUE STORY OF AN UNJUSTLY IMPRISONED BOXER WHO NEEDS TO OVERCOME HIS ANGER TO SURVIVE THE EFFECTS OF INJUSTICE. AMERICAN HISTORY X - A FILM ABOUT A NEO-NAZI WHO COMMITS A TERRIBLE CRIME AND SEEJS A CHANGE OF CHARACTER TO PREVENT HIS BROTHER FROM GOING DOWN THE PATH OF CRIME.
What’s New About the Story
The story is a little predictable, and there's nothing very original or unique about the way it is told. Still, it could be more exciting if the characters and the protagonist were written in a more complex and interesting way.
Lead Characters
The main character is an illiterate person who sees no option but to enter the criminal world. But there is a degree of complexity and change in its character over time that makes him less flat.
Uniqueness of Story
It's not a rare gem. The story lacks personality, and it should go beyond the obvious and create more engaging characters so that the audience is interested in the narrative. American History X - A film about a neo-Nazi who commits a terrible crime and seeks a change of character to prevent his brother from going down the path of crime.
Possible Formats
Film
Analyst Recommendation
WORK IN PROGRESS
Justification
The story is a work in progress. Despite not having major formal or technical problems, it is not yet so well developed that it creates a strong connection with viewers and goes beyond similar prison dramas.
Tips for Improvement
First, it's important to set aside the clichés and tropes commonly used to portray low-income families. The issue is clear from the very first pages of the script, where Gain's family dynamics and dialogue resonate uncomfortably, especially as they seem to be written by someone who isn't very familiar with this kind of environment. A richer construction of characters and relationships at this point would greatly enhance the narrative. Then, while there are some interesting peer dynamics within the prison, ranging from the malicious and violent to people genuinely interested in leaving the life of crime, the drama never takes off beyond rather hollow experiences. Diving deeper into these people's psyches, exploring their personalities beyond the superficial would also make the narrative much more engaging. Finally, while satisfying from a development perspective, the ending is also predictable and somewhat disappointing at the same time. The message that studies and willpower can overcome any barrier is wonderful. Still, there seem to be some challenges and difficulties in the protagonist's journey towards redemption, which certainly would have made his achievements even more impressive.