Not Without Andrew: A Mother's Courageous Fight For Her Son
GENRE
MEMOIR
Core Theme
A MOTHER’S LOVE
TIME PERIOD
1980s & '90s
COMPARABLE TITLES
MAID, SHAMELESS
CHARACTER LIST
• NADEAN STONE: 30S-50S. ANDREW’S MOTHER, JUAN’S EX-WIFE.
• JUAN: 30S-50S. NADEAN’S FIRST HUSBAND. ANDREW’S FATHER. ARROGANT, ABUSIVE.
• BILL: 40S-50S. NADEAN’S SECOND HUSBAND, STEPFATHER TO ANDREW. KIND, JOVIAL.
• ANDREW: 10-20S. NADEAN AND JUAN’S SON..
• ALLYSON: 30S. FAMILY THERAPIST.
• JUDGE: 50S. FAMILY COURT JUDGE WHO RULES ON NADEAN’S CUSTODY CASE.
Logline
Not Without Andrew is the story of a Mother's Courageous fight for her son against a ruthless and unrelenting former husband in a foreign country.
Target Audiences
Age: 35-54
Target Gender: Universal
Setting
Ontario Canada, Caribbean island, United States
Based on a True Story
No
Publishing Details
Status: No
Starting Description
Nadean married into a wealthy prominent political family in the Caribbean, the royal family of the island. Her life was one of privilege and excitement until her separation from Juan and their ensuing heart wrenching battle for custody of their son Andrew.
Ending Description
The author has not yet written this
Group Specific
Information not completed
Hard Copy Available
No
ISBN
Information not completed
Mature Audience Themes
Information not completed
Plot - Other Elements
Meaningful Message
Plot - Premise
Overcoming Monster/Villain
Main Character Details
Name: Nadean Russell
Age: 30
Gender: Female
Role: Antagonist
Key Traits: Adventurous, Educated, Aspiring, Beautiful, Charming, Confident, Decisive, Empathetic, Engaging, Faithful, Flexible, Funny, Gracious, Heroic, Honorable, Leader, Strong Moral Code, Religious, Obedient, Perseverance, Romantic, Skillful
Additional Character Details
Name: Juan Rivero
Age: 33
Gender: 33
Role: Protagonist
Key Traits: Adventurous, Engaging, Funny, Faithful, Heroic, Honorable, Masculine, Obedient, Strong Moral Code
Additional Character Details
Name: Bill Stone
Age: 35
Gender: Male
Role: Emotional
Key Traits: Adventurous, Heartthrob, Aspiring, Charming, Confident, Educated, Decisive, Empathetic, Engaging, Faithful, Gracious, Honorable, Heroic, Leader, Masculine, Modest, Obedient, Perseverance, Patriotic, Religious, Romantic, Selfless, Skillful, Strong Moral Code
Additional Character Details
Name: Andrew Rivero
Age: 8
Gender: Male
Role: Emotional
Key Traits: Adventurous, Engaging, Funny, Faithful, Heroic, Honorable, Masculine, Obedient, Strong Moral Code
Genre
DRAMA
Brief
After marrying into a prominent political family in the Caribbean, one women’s life is derailed when she parts ways with her abusive husband, putting herself in the line of fire with both the family, and the court system intent on protecting them.
Overall Rating
FAIR
Narrative Elements
Authors Writing Style: FAIR
Characterization: FAIR
Commerciality: FAIR
Franchise Potential: FAIR
Pace: FAIR
Premise: FAIR
Structure: FAIR
Theme: FAIR
Accuracy of Book Profile
The book profile is succinct and informative. There’s not much to note here, other than to note that it’s marked as ‘not based on a true story.’ Since it is, by all accounts, a memoir, this should probably be tweaked. Otherwise, great job!
Draw of Story
The story identifies the antagonist right away, which makes it easy to know who to root for. It’s also hooks us right away, and we become invested in understanding how the characters have gotten to this point, thus making it easy to turn the page and willing to accept the author’s true beginning (i.e.- the beginning of the relationship).
Possible Drawbacks
Generally, it feels like we need more information on Juan and his family. It’s one of the most interesting facets of the storyline, but it’s hard to grasp just how influential this family is. It’s also possible that there is still some setting work to be done. For instance, we know we’re in St. Gustave, but it’s tough to feel it. Essentially, rounding out this world more could be a good way to ensure the reader’s engagement throughout.
Use of Special Effects
THE STORY DOES NOT RELY ON SPECIAL EFFECTS
Primary Hook of Story
What sets this story apart from others like it is the prominence of Juan’s family. It dramatizes what is, unfortunately, a familiar story and gives it a unique edge that makes it much more memorable than it might be otherwise. If we consider shows like SUCCESSION and YELLOWSTONE, the intricacies of family are what makes them stand out. Here, it feels much of the same.
Fanbase Potential
A story like this would appeal largely to women – mothers, women who wish to be mothers, perhaps even young girls. Unfortunately, this kind of story is familiar, but in terms of a potential adaptation, that also means that it’s relatable. For wider audience appeal, it might mean building up Juan’s family, so an audience can latch onto them (again, think SUCCESSION or YELLOWSTONE) and root for or against them.
Awards Potential
This kind of story often does well during awards season, for things like best actor/actress, supporting actor/actress, best screenplay, etc. It’s also possible that there’s below the line potential, in terms of things like cinematography, score, costuming, etc.
Envisioned Budget
LOW BUDGET
Similar Films/TV Series
MAID, SHAMELESS
What’s New About the Story
In this case, what makes the story original is also the very thing that, if further developed, could make it even more unique. We know from the beginning that Juan is abusive, and we soon learn that he is from a very prominent family. But to find ways to show us their prominence, and home in on those characters as the supporting cast, could round out the story and make it feel richer overall. If considered, that could both raise the tension and the stakes, dramatizing the plot line further and making it tough to look away from.
Lead Characters
The characters’ goals are clear. Nadean wants her son, and so does Juan. This makes them opposing forces, which is a must in any good story. Given that they are exes also makes their situation ripe for conflict, another thing that every good adaptation requires. They are also opposites in terms of personality, which kicks things up a notch. Whereas Nadean is kind, Juan is abusive. Whereas Nadean is willing to compromise, Juan seems to only want to conquer her. All of that compiled together creates two rich leads, who are easy to engage with.
Uniqueness of Story
While the story has potential, it doesn’t feel like a rare gem quite yet. Both the setting, and Juan’s story, feel in need of some fleshing out. Leaning into his family, and their prominence in the setting, could be a good way to capture the audience, by raising the tension and the stakes throughout.
Possible Formats
Film: Indie, Streaming TV Series: Network, Cable, Limited Run / Mini-Series, Streaming
Analyst Recommendation
WORK IN PROGRESS
Justification
While the story has potential, it feels like there’s a bit more work to be done in terms of development. Juan’s storyline is a bit weak, especially in terms of his family. The setting feels a bit weak, too. It feels like the story can take place almost anywhere, as opposed to feeling like it can only take place in the Caribbean. That said, the structure is solid and things like dialogue work well, too. With just a bit more tinkering, it could be something quite special.
Tips for Improvement
In memoir, particularly memoirs with adaptation potential, it’s often difficult to differentiate the true story from the story best suited to the screen. In this case, the story best suited for screen is Nadean vs. Juan story, and that is largely because of Juan’s family influence in St. Gustave. That means that a lot of energy, and a lot of page space, should be devoted to this conflict, and the unique situations that it puts the characters in. That might mean spending more time on making sure that the other plotlines serve that one. For instance, Bill’s presence would focus more on the threat he poses to Juan than on his relationship with Nadean, even though – in real life- the relationship was much more important. That way, the story feels more well-rounded and well-contained than it might otherwise. Please note that this is simply an entertainment industry standard, and not a deflection from the traumatic events that occurred in real life. If adaptation is the goal here, then it’s important to be prepared for a complete, impersonal meaning of the source material. A development executive job is to stitch together a story based on what is most likely to sell, not to tell the story as it occurred.
Brief
After marrying into a prominent political family in the Caribbean, one women’s life is derailed when she parts ways with her abusive husband, putting herself in the line of fire with both the family, and the court system intent on protecting them.
What We Liked
What sets this story apart from others like it is the prominence of Juan’s family. It dramatizes what is, unfortunately, a familiar story and gives it a unique edge that makes it much more memorable than it might be otherwise. If we consider shows like SUCCESSION and YELLOWSTONE, the intricacies of family are what makes them stand out. Here, it feels much of the same.
The characters’ goals are also very clear. Nadean wants her son, and so does Juan. This makes them strong opposing forces. Whereas Nadean is kind, Juan is abusive.
Whereas Nadean is willing to compromise, Juan seems to only want to conquer her.
All of that compiled together creates two rich leads, who are easy to engage with.
Film: At its core, this is a story about a mother trying to gain custody of her son. The plot line could easily be finite if it was developed that way. The plot points are relatively firm, and the conclusion is concrete. The source material gives us strong opposing forces, two strong leads, and a host of supporting cast. It also gives us a loose timeline that allows for some interpretation. Overall, it could fit the feature format quite nicely.
TV: Like YELLOWSTONE or SUCCESSION, there is a prominent, influential family at the helm of this story. And, at least in the beginning, that family has only one enemy: the mother trying to gain custody of her son. It’s SUCCESSION meets MAID, and although the story certainly needs further development, the source material is rich enough to warrant it.
Key points:
- Female-driven
-Strong use of theme
-Low budget
-Manageable cast
-Solid structure
Synopsis
JUAN threatens his ex, NADEAN, for custody of their son, ANDREW. If she does not agree, Juan threatens to ruin her. Via flashback, we learn that Juan has always wanted to return to the West Indies. Juan’s company provides an exploratory trip to St. Gustave for the family to find accommodations. During the trip, Juan’s wife becomes ill from tainted tap water. She is taken to the hospital for observation. Still, the couple decides to settle permanently in St. Gustave. Life in a third-world country is more than the couple bargains for, and they debate moving to the US. But St. Gustave soon becomes a republic, and Juan insists that they return. Juan’s wife accidentally ingests
a poisonous fruit and must be rushed to the hospital. It sets off a string of stomach issues that she’ll face for months. Juan quits his job and goes to law school to join his brother’s law practice. But when his brother, ROBERTO, has an affair, Juan realizes that a partnership between them can never work and opens his own accounting firm.
Years later, Nadean realizes that it was Juan who was having an affair, with his secretary, FRANCIS.
By 1980, the couple is close to birthing their first child, Andrew. Soon after, they get news that Ernst & Young will be merging with Juan’s company. The family is overjoyed. Meanwhile, Nadean decides that it’s time to discover her own roots, and begins inquiring about her adoption. While visiting a doctor for abdomen swelling, Nadean learns that she has ovarian cancer and a 50% chance of survival. She seeks treatment in Toronto, and they recommend a hysterectomy. Nadean struggles with the knowledge that she will not have more children. The surgery reveals stage four cancer, and Nadean must undergo radium treatments. Juan begins to get frustrated by his wife’s slow recovery. During a particularly contentious argument, he tells her that she is a failure as a wife and mother. Nadean suggests that they spend some time apart. Juan meets another woman and declares that he is going to start a life with her, devastating his wife.
Juan and Nadean begin fighting over Andrew. Juan believes that Andrew should call his new wife ‘mom.’ When Nadean objects, Juan threatens her. Nadean begins picking up the pieces of her life, and joins a women’s sailing group. She bonds with ISABEL, and eventually starts to date again. Meanwhile, Juan pressures her to let Andrew live with him. Nadean is set up by friends with BILL, an American visiting from Vermont.
After an awkward dinner party, Bill asks her to dinner and they begin to bond. Bill returns to the states, but they keep in touch through letters. Eventually, Bill returns to St. Gustave to run his business remotely. Juan, once again, threatens his ex-wife and they go to family therapy. The therapist, ALLYSON, declares that the best thing for Andrew is for his parents to live in the same country. Because Juan has decided to move his business to Australia, that means Nadean must apply for a transfer.
Meanwhile, Bill declares bankruptcy and worries that Nadean will leave him.
Nadean gets denied permission to enter Australia, which upsets Juan. Bill asks her to marry him, and move to the States. But Nadean refuses to leave Andrew behind. After a stormy hike in the woods leads to a threat of life, Bill asks Nadean to marry him
again. This time, she accepts. The impending nuptials upset Juan, and he kicks his ex- wife out of the house, claiming ownership over it and Andrew. A custody battle begins that leads to Juan trying to kidnap his son. The JUDGE rules against Juan, and allows
Nadean and Andrew to formally return to the US. Juan interrupts his ex-wife’s new life in Florida, and she calls the police with worries that Juan will kidnap Andrew. But Andrew, older know, sees his father for who he is and begins to rebel against him.
When Andrew gets in a car accident, neither he or Juan call to alert his mother. Juan buys Andrew a new car, and it isn’t long before Andrew and friend are killed in an accident. Distraught, Nadean turns to her friends for support. She and Juan hold each other as they grieve for their son.
As Nadean resumes her life without Andrew, she is again inspired to find her birth family. She also takes a job as in intern at a local NBC station, which leads to a full-time job as a booker. Soon, she finds her birth family via her own research and she cautions the reader that, despite life’s hardships, living is always, always worth it.