It really seems like a pitch that sells
itself. Three spunky gals in their 50s and one “says it like it is” 80
year-old woman tackling contemporary issues. It was the first Sex and the
City and with a better looking cast. A feature film adaptation of this
classic 80s/90s sitcom is the logical evolution. The Golden Girls would
take a look at ageism in the 21st century.
How are people in their 50s revered in society
today? How does a woman in her golden years manage a career, romantic
relationships, adult children?
It would open with Sophia Petrillo accidentally
causing the fire that burns down Shady Pines. This would lead directly
into her having to move back in with her slightly estranged daughter Dorothy
Zbornak (our star). Dorothy has just finalized her divorce with Stan, her
husband who’s left her for his hot young secretary. Part of the divorce
settlement requires her to sell their home of 20+ years and split the cost of
the sale with Stan. So Dorothy is faced with having no home and taking in
her outspoken mother. Fate intervenes and she runs into Blanche Devereaux
at a local supermarket who is posting flyers looking for roommates on the
supermarket bulletin board. She’s looking for college guys but after a
conversation with Dorothy over shared life experiences Blanche decides to rent
to Dorthy and Sophia. Blanche then receives a call and meets a naive Rose
Nylund originally from St. Olaf Minnesota. She’s recent moved to Miami
Florida after the recent death of her husband. Throwing in all the
classic one-liners that made the original characters so loved and that’s act
one.
From there we break off into four different
stories following our characters.
Dorothy
Zbornak
Dorothy’s son comes to her and reveals that he’s
transgendered. Her initial reaction is negative and she’ll explore all
emotions a parent might face when dealing with this issue. We’ll insert
her classic sarcastic approach to life. She’ll seek guidance from Sophia with
comedic results, her ex-Stan, her roommates, and learn life lessons from the students
at the school where she teachers. She’ll eventually come to the
conclusion she loves and accepts her son no matter what.
Blanche
Devereaux
Blanche is an extremely sexualized
character. She’ll explore multiple promiscuous relationships with men and
women. While she practices safe sex it will not prevent her from finding
out one of her old partners has AIDS. Her emotions about potentially
contracting the disease will be a rollercoaster. She’ll find out she’s
not infected but then set out to have more meaningful relationships with the
same energy her promiscuity had. She’ll eventually fall in love with a
much younger man who meets all her physical desires. They’ll have to
navigate their relationship but she’ll eventually breakup with him to allow the
man to pursue his dreams as his life is just starting out and she’s a more
settled and confident individual.
Rose
Nylund
Rose has recently moved to Florida from St. Olaf
after the death of her husband. She’s trying to find employment in a
competitive job market. She’s faced with competition from younger
candidates willing to work for less money. Despite her blonde airheaded
persona, jobwise she’s got the experience and knowhow. Rose will tell
silly stories from her hometown much to the frustration of her fellow
roommates. Rose will eventually get a job and have to earn the respect of
her younger colleagues as she proves her prowess in the workplace.
Sophia
Petrillo
Sophia is our hero. She’s no nonsense and
says what she wants. Her reaction to the transgendered grandson is that
he doesn’t have the hair or the legs for it but she loves him no matter
what. She takes constant comments at all the girls and their dilemmas but
helps focus them on what’s really important. Rose needs a job, Dorothy loves
her son, Blanche likes to have sex.
Sophia is trying to fill her days with something
to do. She’s a retiree with no husband, no friends, and her roommates
work all the time. She’s lonely. She eventually joins a local
senior center and starts stirring up trouble. They eventually elect her
president of the center. She goes onto reform the center and it gets the
notice of a local politician. She says some sassy things to the man and
it makes the paper. The film would end with people asking Sophia to run
for a local office. Her decision is left ambiguous.
Throughout the entire film the women should
gather in the kitchen eating cheesecake and sharing stories while advising one
another on how to handles their situations. The film will end with them
at the kitchen table sitting and talking knowing that no matter what they go
through in life that can look to one another for support.
Written by
Joseph Ammendolea
Owner/President
“I Like To Play With Toys” Productions®
