A Scandal of the Particular
Submision Type
book
Logline
HYMAN KAZAN HAS REGRETS, we all do: a struggling legal career, an unfulfilled passionate girlfriend. But the situation is about to get worse. Much worse, when the body of a young man from Scotland is found outside of a safe injection site in downtown Vancouver.
Genre
Crime,Action
Short Summary
The book has a momentum about it that swirls around the broken timelines that is how the story is structured. Past and present intermingle. It means we get to know that fate's hand is upon them before they do. It is about a search for Justice where none exists.
Setting
West Coast - Vancouver British Columbia
Based on a True Story
No
Plot - Premise
Quest,Other
Plot - Other Elements
Philosophical Questions
Mature Audience Themes
Nudity
Main Character Details
Name: Hyman Kazan
Age: middle Age
Gender: Male
Role: Protagonist
Key Traits: Complex,Empathetic,Lone Wolf,Romantic
Additional Character Details
Name: Briar
Age: 30 to 40 years
Gender: Female
Role: Emotional
Key Traits: Adventurous,Engaging,Sexy,Seductive
Additional Character Details
Name: Judge Smith
Age: 45 -50
Gender: Male
Role: antagonist
Key Traits: Narcisstic,Confident,Greedy,Secretive,Unapologetic,Manipulative
Additional Character Details
Name: Marrianne
Age: 25
Gender: Female
Role: tempter
Key Traits: Adventurous,Sexy,Confident,Romantic,Sophisticated
Genre
DRAMA
Brief
Kazan and Briar have a tumultuous relationship. Smith is a closeted gay man who meets up with Simon, giving him drugs that kills him. Kazan is a lawyer who has is lost, trying to figure out his relationship and career. Kazan learns that Smith killed Simon and confronts him leading Smith kills to murder him.
Overall Rating
GOOD
Narrative Elements
Authors Writing Style: GOOD
Characterization: GOOD
Commerciality: GOOD
Franchise Potential: FAIR
Pace: GOOD
Premise: GOOD
Structure: GOOD
Theme: GOOD
Accuracy of Book Profile
Yes, the book profile accurately reflects the book.
Draw of Story
The story explores some beautiful imagery in the beginning. Kazan contemplates her surroundings in comparison to his mood and thoughts. The tone of the story is very contemplative which is established early on.
Possible Drawbacks
The story tries to be very philosophical with many analogies and deep thoughts. It is overly done bringing the pace of the story down. This story tries to be complex but the conflicting storylines are confusing. The premise seems to change. The beginning chapters show Kazan contemplating his existence and purpose and then it turns into a crime drama.
Use of Special Effects
THE STORY DOES NOT RELY ON SPECIAL EFFECTS
Primary Hook of Story
The hook is that Simon is found dead and the new judge killed him with a stolen drug from the court room. Kazan, a lawyer, confronts the judge, his ex girlfriends new love, but is killed in the process. I would watch the movie for the scenery and complex human emotions and relationships.
Fanbase Potential
This is a quieter film about life and relationships. It has an indie film feel to it that would garner a smaller audience.
Awards Potential
This does have awards potential as it is a deep dive into the human condition. Films that explore human emotion and relationships in a complex way and are acted well tend to gain awards notice.
Envisioned Budget
LOW BUDGET
Similar Films/TV Series
CLOSER, MANCHESTER BY THE SEA, DEFENDING JACOB
What’s New About the Story
This story is not very original. It is a story about the complexities of relationships with a murder mystery thrown in. While the story does have LGBTQAI characters, there could be more diversity with the characters.
Lead Characters
The lead characters stand out because they are all dealing with changes in their lives. They are making big decisions, contemplating who they are and how they feel about their lives. There is a melancholy tone to all the characters until the tone of the story turns to crime drama.
Uniqueness of Story
This is a interesting story that might take itself too seriously. It is trying hard to set a psychological tone where the characters are questioning their relationships and existence while having a crime drama subplot. The two plots could be blended more seamlessly.
Possible Formats
Film: Studio, Indie, Streaming TV Series: Limited Run / Mini-Series, Streaming
Analyst Recommendation
WORK IN PROGRESS
Justification
While the story has many positive points, it has room for improvement (see possible paths below). If you can't change the story at this point, my suggestion is using your notes as a guide to highlight the best aspects of it when taking the next steps, either putting a pitch page together, a treatment, or a presentation.
Tips for Improvement
The mystery surrounding Simon's death and Smith's involvement are worth exploring more. That story should take center stage while the complex relationships with those related to the death could be the supporting story.