THE OCTOPUS (screenplay, adapted from the 1901 novel by Frank Norris)
I read this novel as a senior in high school (my English class gave us a choice of novels to write a term paper about -- I don't remember the other options). Although the book as a whole had some flaws, the basic story and various sharply depicted moments stuck with me through the years. As I became interested in screenwriting, the notion of adapting "The Octopus" nagged at me occasionally, and I finally got around to it.
It's set in a political/legal environment where the forces of wealth/evil control everything and always seem to win, so there are, um, parallels to our situation today. (Catharsis was one of my primary reasons for finally writing this.)
Since I tried to stick as close to the original 1901 novel as I could (aside from a significant change near the end, and other choices to condense the story from a full-length novel to a 2-hour film script), it's very much not a typical commercial Hollywood plot or structure. But just to see what an objective reader would say, I purchased an evaluation from an established script-review site (the Black List)... and to my surprise got a very positive review, with what I felt was perceptive feedback. I've deleted the most detailed points about the plot and characters below, but here are the key excerpts (even the "Weaknesses" section, the 2nd paragraph, included compliments!):
---------------------------------The ominous foreboding and malevolence found in films like THERE WILL BE BLOOD are infused, in this script, with the intricacy, complexity, and duplicity of KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON. [...] The script forges a rivalry that is as compelling as it is thematically contemporary. The details and atmosphere leap off the page...
The intricacy of the plot throughout this script is as impressive as its craftsmanship... The slow drumbeat of ominous foreboding heading toward the dramatic clash between the railroad operatives and marshals, and the ranchers, creates a sense of tantalizing expectation... [in this] artful and sophisticated Western parable.
This script forges a portrait of corporate greed and malfeasance that feels in many ways as though it resonates through a contemporary lens. There is an almost David vs. Goliath quality to the central struggle at the heart of the story,... there are opportunities for a full ensemble of standout performances, from a talent perspective, and while the period nature of the story may appeal more strongly to some audiences than others, it feels as if a film like this one could garner significant attention, especially in the independent/prestige/festival arena, with a promising path toward awards season.
The intricacy of the plot throughout this script is as impressive as its craftsmanship... The slow drumbeat of ominous foreboding heading toward the dramatic clash between the railroad operatives and marshals, and the ranchers, creates a sense of tantalizing expectation... [in this] artful and sophisticated Western parable.
This script forges a portrait of corporate greed and malfeasance that feels in many ways as though it resonates through a contemporary lens. There is an almost David vs. Goliath quality to the central struggle at the heart of the story,... there are opportunities for a full ensemble of standout performances, from a talent perspective, and while the period nature of the story may appeal more strongly to some audiences than others, it feels as if a film like this one could garner significant attention, especially in the independent/prestige/festival arena, with a promising path toward awards season.