THE FUN LVOING CRIMINALS Film Coverage Report

1. STORY ANALYSIS
TITLE THE FUN LOVING CRIMINALS
AUTHOR Shawn Downey
FORM Original Screenplay
LENGTH 115 pages
FACT/FICTION Fiction
GENRE Unique Mix of Dark Comedy, Suspense, and Whodunit.
LOCALE Upstate New York, New York City
CIRCA Present Day
BUDGET Low-Medium
PREPARED BY Lee Levinson
LOG LINE
The ONE 4 ALL Rap/Metal music group scores big on the charts with their hit single, “9 Millimeter”.
Desperate to make money when their record label folds, they rob a bank. A mean-spirited drug
dealer and a corrupt IRS agent race to get their revenge and kill the band before the police arrest
them.
We will be creating the band, then kill them in this film.
The key members of the band are: BLACK, a Puerto Rican/Italian American and SLIM, an Eminem
wannabe with a penchant for wearing alternative hairstyles. Their hangers-on include EVIDENCE,
an alcoholic getaway driver and FAST, a street hustler. Just before the band takes off with their hit
song 9 Millimeter, SLIM leaves the group.
JIM JOHNSON, a university junior is a naïve twenty-year-old who innocently gets involved with the
band. His fatal flaw is falling for the seductive SUMMER. Jim is clearly out-of-his league and
doesn’t have a clue that he’s being used by her as a shill for BLACK.
The band disintegrates and falls from grace as a one-hit wonder. Their professional and personal
lives mark a rapid descent into Hell, fueled by drugs, alcohol, and a sexy assortment of young
groupies.
Desperate to make money so that they can continue to support their reckless lifestyle the band
devises a daring plan to rob a bank.
Hot on their trail and determined to kill the band are their two worst nightmares: MALCOLM, a
mean-spirited drug dealer, and RICHARD CRANIUM, A/K/A MR. X, a corrupt IRS agent, both of
whom are racing against the clock to get their revenge and kill the group members.
Destiny calls. ONE 4 ALL are due for a wake up call when they discover the hard way that:
“Today your partner in crime is your best friend.
Tomorrow he’ll tell you your life has to end.”
EVALUATION
Excellent Good Average Fair Poor
PREMISE *
STORY LINE *
CHARACTER *
DIALOGUE *
SETTING *

2. OVERALL WRITING Compelling, Funny, and Insightful.
RECOMMENDATION “Consider” status.
OVERALL COMMENTS
“THE FUN LOVING CRIMINALS” – is a skillful mix of comedy, crime, suspense, romance, and
unique whodunit.
GENERAL COMMENTS
SETTING
The contrasting landscapes and tempos of life between New York City and Upstate New York are
deftly played against a contemporary and relevant storyline that captures the inner machinations
and behind the scenes abuse of power that drive the conflicting worlds of music, drugs, and
government.
CHARACTERS
The film’s major characters, JIM JOHNSON, BLACK, EVIDENCE,
RICHARD CRANIUM/Mr. X, SLIM, and FAST will appeal to bankable actors and present a
challenge to play these memorable roles.
JIM JOHNSON stands out as being someone the audience will like and want to root for.
DIALOGUE
The dialogue is crisp, natural, and hard hitting. A good fit for not only the major characters but also
for a fascinating cast of supporting players.
LOVE INTEREST
The offbeat love triangle between BLACK, who is devious and deceptive, SUMMER, a hottie who
will do anything to please Black, including enticing JIM, an educated innocent who falls for
Summer, are all portrayed as three dimensional characters who are affected directly or indirectly by
their exposure to drugs and alcohol. The intensity of the interaction which develops between them
is indicative of what pitfalls await those who succumb to temptation and wanton desires.
HUMOR
There are several laugh-out loud lines that are totally in character and which work extremely well.
ENDING
The story builds to a suspenseful climax with SUMMER bravely saving JIM’s life when she shoots
and kills Dick (Richard Cranium). The story ends on a positive, upbeat note with Summer being
redeemed and Jim’s father, MR. JOHNSON, reuniting with his misguided son.
The closing line in the script, Jim’s V.O.: “I got knocked down, but with God’s help I’ll get up again”
paves the way for a sequel and more criminal misadventures.
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