Reviews of The Strange Odyssey of Buddy Billings 9

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  Despicable Protagonist
  A review of The Strange Odyssey of Buddy Billings
  by davidmcewing on 11/09/2004
  You're a good writer, but your basic formatting has much to be desired.. Why do you highlight in italics phrases like - 'Colorful canvas awnings, and then capitolize - 'Pulling up the emergency brake?' That, and all the 'Cont.' tabs really detract from your SP. Regardless of how good your script may be, no film maker will read past the first page. You really need to learn... You're a good writer, but your basic formatting has much to be desired.. Why do you highlight in italics phrases like - 'Colorful canvas awnings, and then capitolize - 'Pulling up the emergency brake?' That, and all the 'Cont.' tabs really detract from your SP. Regardless of how good your script may be, no film maker will read past the first page. You really need to learn how to format properly. As for the story - What's the moral? Who really cares about a deadbeat who dumps his wife and children, rips off his brother, kills a cop, and then wants to go home again? I just couldn't get into this script. Sorry but I have to pass. Good luck anyway. read
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  Not so strange
  A review of The Strange Odyssey of Buddy Billings
  by kentmur on 11/06/2004
  A great story, well told. The dialog is some of the most realistic I've read on this site. The action is compelling, the characters solid. This could become an incredible script with some easily-made changes. The story itself needs more set-up. I think Buddy had a pretty average life -- the kids and wife and money problems were not bad enough to give Buddy motivation to... A great story, well told. The dialog is some of the most realistic I've read on this site. The action is compelling, the characters solid. This could become an incredible script with some easily-made changes. The story itself needs more set-up. I think Buddy had a pretty average life -- the kids and wife and money problems were not bad enough to give Buddy motivation to split. I'm not buying Lucky and Buddy opening a toy store at all. For such a despicable guy, why not give him something more in-character to do, like become a jazz artist, and let him find out that that seedy lifestyle doesn't stack up against what he had at home. Buddy's relationship with Harvey needs to be developed to give it more conflict at the end. Having Buddy lash out at Mencowicz is out of character, so the death didn't work for me. Is there another, more dramatic way to have Buddy kill him? Or, if the brothers' relationship were strengthened, maybe it wouild be more dramatic if Buddy killed Harvey? Anyway, all in all a great job! Good luck. read
• 
  great screenplay, unlikable character
  A review of The Strange Odyssey of Buddy Billings
  by mpet on 11/05/2004
  This was exellently written and more than kept my interest. Some notes- p3, no INT for BILLINGS KITCHEN. Loose MONTAGE - don't think it's necessary. The big problem here is that this character is so hard to like. From the begining- your synopsis talks of an unappreciative family- I don't really see this at all. His life is hard, but such is life, esp in the 50's! Your... This was exellently written and more than kept my interest. Some notes- p3, no INT for BILLINGS KITCHEN. Loose MONTAGE - don't think it's necessary. The big problem here is that this character is so hard to like. From the begining- your synopsis talks of an unappreciative family- I don't really see this at all. His life is hard, but such is life, esp in the 50's! Your synopsis also claims he fakes his own death, which he does not. I had a hard time buying this father just up and running away. And his character got to be more and more grading and obnoxious along the way. I'm not saying that there is anything wrong with having an unlikable character, but hollywood/ TS reviewers as well seem to need a good guy, someone to root for. read
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  Buddy boy
  A review of The Strange Odyssey of Buddy Billings
  by dja on 11/01/2004
  All the makings of a character driven film are here and a story written in a way I can identify with. Your production notes state that Buddy is based around a relative and this shines through as you've created a very colourful character. My criticisms are minor: Pg.2 - you stray into a piece of novelistic text 'The regular brakes have given out a long time ago so Buddy has... All the makings of a character driven film are here and a story written in a way I can identify with. Your production notes state that Buddy is based around a relative and this shines through as you've created a very colourful character. My criticisms are minor: Pg.2 - you stray into a piece of novelistic text 'The regular brakes have given out a long time ago so Buddy has perfected an alternative use....' You can't film this and although it adds flavour to the scene I would suggest leaving it out. Also, is Percy a part of Buddy's imagination from the start? I didn't quite understand how he just appeared in the Motel room when previously he was a seemingly real-life character? Did I miss something? I like the fact he appears as a sort of guardian angel but was he always a figment of Buddy's complex personality? Perhaps it was just me but some clarification is needed. Aside from these points, I commend you on a story akin to It's a Wonderful Life' but with a welcome bittersweet ending. Well done and I look forward to seeing it on the screen. read
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  Odessey
  A review of The Strange Odyssey of Buddy Billings
  by David L on 10/05/2004
  An extremely well written low budget drama. We can sympathize with the protagonist, a hard working likeable guy who just can't seem to find his stride; always with an angle for making the big score. Other characters like Lucky or Louise were a little weak. There was a small disappointment in the dialogue when Harvey face Buddy on page 88. Some things to consider: not have Harvey... An extremely well written low budget drama. We can sympathize with the protagonist, a hard working likeable guy who just can't seem to find his stride; always with an angle for making the big score. Other characters like Lucky or Louise were a little weak. There was a small disappointment in the dialogue when Harvey face Buddy on page 88. Some things to consider: not have Harvey there at that juncture and let Menkowicz be on his own. I would let Buddy have his epiphany before meeting Menkowicz thus making him an obstacle to his returning home, this to get the audience on Buddy's side. The St Louis Police would accompany Harvey back to Cleveland staking out the Billings home. The SLPD Chief sees Buddy pull a ray gun from his pocket (a gift for Frank) thus ending the story more tragically. The addition of Percy as a mentor was a nice touch, but I didn't get the Jazz connection with Buddy. Instead an old man he could be a young fallen war buddy he shared his dreams with. He could represent lost opportunity. Perhaps exploring what happen to him in the war could add depth to his character. Through Buddy you've showed us who your GD was but not why he was the way he was. That is the next level you must reach through Percy. Great SP read
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  Lovely
  A review of The Strange Odyssey of Buddy Billings
  by neilg117 on 09/18/2004
  I liked this a lot. You have a gift for balancing melancholy with optimism. Your writing reminds me a little of Anne Tyler. Buddy is a superb character. Well rounded. Human. Flawed, but with his intentions in the right place. You really feel his frustration.Feel this wanders in Act II - was not interested in the pursuit as I knew he would be caught. Menkowicz (stock character)... I liked this a lot. You have a gift for balancing melancholy with optimism. Your writing reminds me a little of Anne Tyler. Buddy is a superb character. Well rounded. Human. Flawed, but with his intentions in the right place. You really feel his frustration.Feel this wanders in Act II - was not interested in the pursuit as I knew he would be caught. Menkowicz (stock character) was given so much screen-time. I realised why in Act III of course, but why not take the genuine Classics as your model? Why can not the brother pursue him on his own (outside his job so to speak, that way HE could get shot in Act III - and then we have real drama on our hands. Having an unlikeable character bear the consequences of Buddy's actions is not enough for me. You could then trim Act II and develop theme of Buddy's need to keep his head down, with his inability to keep quiet. Act II could show more of what Buddy has gained, but also lost. Would also like to see more of why Louise had grown hard. How her dreams (even if it is very brief) have eroded due to Buddy's bad luck and poor decisions. Also what are Harvey's motives for helping and playing down Buddy as his brother. Is he embarrassed, being superior? Good script. read
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  Review: Strange Odyssey
  A review of The Strange Odyssey of Buddy Billings
  by JohnDowgin on 09/16/2004
  A great concept, thoroughly imagined and stocked with some extremely real characters. That it falters a bit in the third act is almost a minor complaint because I was with it all the way regardless. Concept is great: a three-time loser given the chance to start over, but as a non-entity. The historical era really adds a lot to this, a time of great prosperity in the USA ereally... A great concept, thoroughly imagined and stocked with some extremely real characters. That it falters a bit in the third act is almost a minor complaint because I was with it all the way regardless. Concept is great: a three-time loser given the chance to start over, but as a non-entity. The historical era really adds a lot to this, a time of great prosperity in the USA ereally boosts Buddy's feelings of unworthiness. I felt for him, too (good use of the broken arm here to show he does care). And I believed and felt just about each step of his journey. This is an actor's script, if you can get an actor with clout interested, it might go far. Only seems to falter a bit in the the third act. It feels like it needs one more twist in a new direction, whereas right now act three is just the chonricle of his fall back to reality. It might help if in St Louis Buddy begins to feel something akin to peace and has it ripped from him (but I could be wrong). Cons - don't understand why Harvey was unwilling to tell anyone Buddy was his brother during the hunt. Seems to complicate things unnecessarily. I also didn't believe Buddy would steal his own car if he's trying to make a clean break; he'd steal a fresh one. Good character-driven work. read
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  A winner till half-way
  A review of The Strange Odyssey of Buddy Billings
  by mickeyt2k on 09/10/2004
  This is a great story following a great although unlikeable character. This script felt flawless till about half-way through the script. Then it lost its flow, razor dialogue and well-structured scenes. The bank scene and the baseball scene in particular stuck out as not nearly as polished, not fitting as well. Although I know Rudy's function in the narrative, I'm not wild... This is a great story following a great although unlikeable character. This script felt flawless till about half-way through the script. Then it lost its flow, razor dialogue and well-structured scenes. The bank scene and the baseball scene in particular stuck out as not nearly as polished, not fitting as well. Although I know Rudy's function in the narrative, I'm not wild about using him. This is one of those stories where realism is more powerful than magical realism. I think Percy takes the story off the tracks.I feel strongly that Buddy remains a compelling, if unlikeable character, as long as he's presented with opportunities for insight and continues to not only ignore them, but rudely push them away. Otherwise, wow, what a great writer, great story and script with great potential to make a great movie. The second half just needs some laser editing and revision to put this all to bed. Oh, also, I think continuity was lost when Buddy told Percy that Harvey knew he was in St. Louis. read
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  The Odyssey
  A review of The Strange Odyssey of Buddy Billings
  by Movie Maven on 09/09/2004
  This was well written, researched and developed. It's an intresting premise which I'm sure we all wonder about ourselves. It reminds you of reincarnation. But there's a lesson here and that is to be careful of what you wish for as you might get it.. But I like how the twists and turns come about. I was in tears at times. And if you want a jazz score, give this to Woody Allen... This was well written, researched and developed. It's an intresting premise which I'm sure we all wonder about ourselves. It reminds you of reincarnation. But there's a lesson here and that is to be careful of what you wish for as you might get it.. But I like how the twists and turns come about. I was in tears at times. And if you want a jazz score, give this to Woody Allen to direct and it'll be done. It's nice that your ambition is to direct this. That's a good thing as it shows your confident and willing to take a risk. I wish you luck with this. I might change the title to The Journey though. read