Brief

After a traumatic childhood in foster care, DANNY faces danger when he accidentally discovers an international crime syndicate that sells stolen Mexican artifacts to the highest bidder. On the run from both the criminals and his trauma, he works to find his way in the world with the help of his friends and his community. After years of substance abuse lands him in a hospital, he rediscovers his faith and fulfills his destiny.

What We Liked

Trauma, high-stakes and action/adventure power this based-on-a-true-story tale about overcoming one's past and finding a future. When an escaped, former foster child finds himself in the face of danger, it forces him to address and overcome his trauma in hopes of survival. Audiences root for him as he works to find his way in the world, and finds community, culture and friendship in those who aid him along the way.

Film: CAUGHT IN A TANGLED LOOP would work well as a feature because it's a high-stakes, plot driven story with enough character potential to keep an audience hooked for the length of a film. It has emotional trauma, an international crime syndicate and enough domestic drama to sustain an audience for several hours and provides us with a finite, complete ending that leaves little left to question.

TV: CAUGHT IN A TANGLED LOOP could work well as a limited series, because it has a natural end point. All of the characters have grown or changed in some way, and Danny has vowed to fulfill his destiny in Mexico. The conclusion is satisfying but more than that, it feels finite. The only unanswered question lies with Joe Garcia's whereabouts, but this is overshadowed by Danny overcoming his trauma and discovering himself with help from his friends and his community.

Key points: Ensemble cast with a wide appeal; Plot-driven, high-stakes; Plenty of room for character growth and change; Wide target audience; Slightly historical, with notes of adventure and suspense.

Synopsis

In 1965, DANNY is beaten and abused by his foster mother, IDA. He vows to run away. In 1967, Danny escapes to an old shed and finds the money he’s stashed away for two years. In 1973, Danny and his girlfriend, JEAN, are keeping their relationship a secret from her father, JOE GARCIA. After getting suspicious about unopened boxes in the storage room of the shop that employs him, Danny gets locked in and is discovered by EDUARDO and JUAN. They pursue him, and he grabs a mysterious artifact. When Juan finds him, Danny takes his box cutter and stabs him. Danny confides in his friend, MARIANA, about his run-in with Juan. Mariana tries to convince him to go to the police, but Danny refuses. They marvel over the icon, which Mariana identifies as the rain god of the Aztecs. Danny entrusts Mariana with the artifact and goes into hiding. Danny hides in his biological father’s former fishing camper. Mariana fills Paul and Jean in on Danny’s situation. Jean remembers overhearing her father on the phone with someone from New York discussing the icon and the three deduce that Joe has been selling stolen artifacts.

Joe gives Eduardo and Juan 24 hours to return with both the artifact and Danny. On one of many trips to Jalisco, Mexico, Eduardo and Juan travel through a dense forest, to meet EMILIO SANCHEZ. Natives place artifacts in a false truck bottom and the men continue on their journey to a safe house. Eduardo and Juan make plans to sneak off and party in the middle of the night. While inside an exotic dance club, a MAN overhears them having a conversation about supplying drugs. He alerts the Feds and puts a tracker on their car. Jean tracks Danny to the fishing camper and convinces him to move to a hotel. Danny confesses to killing Juan to Paul, and Paul alerts him that Juan is alive. He asks Danny to put his trust in God, but Danny finds it impossible. Paul decides to tell his parents that he wishes to join the priesthood. Mariana tells her mother, JULIA, that she’s been sexually abused by her father. JULIA vows to seek revenge. She finds her husband’s gun, turns off the lights and waits. Before she can enact revenge, policemen arrive at her door to tell her that Mariana has been killed in a botched robbery. They present her with the icon and allow her to take it. The FBI tracks Eduardo and Juan, as Jean calls her mother to inform her about her husband’s illegal artifacts. News breaks that Eduardo and Juan have been arrested, but the Joe Garcia is still at large. The news also reports Mariana’s death. Julia’s husband, SALADO, returns home and Julia surprises him. Chaos ensues and Julia shoots him in the thigh, and then shoots off his ring finger before losing consciousness. The police arrive and arrest Salado. Paul prepares to go to Europe to practice priesthood. And still on the run from Joe, Danny decides to escape to Mexico. While driving, he grieves over Jean breaking up with him. Danny stays in Mexico until 1977. In a cantina, he is approached by two of Joe Garcia’s men. He narrowly escapes them, again, and passes out drunk in a desert on his way back to Texas. Danny wakes up in a hospital and finds himself on Ativan. He finds Paul, who works as a part-time spiritual advisor and counselor. With Paul’s help, Danny begins to find faith again. Danny begins seeing DR. PHILLIPS to explore his traumatic past, and he urges Danny to use his past to help others.

Julia wishes to speak with Danny. She presents him with a brown satchel, full of Salado’s money and the icon. She tells him that his biological mother was a Huicho descendant of a prince, and three generations removed from Montezuma. Julia tells him that his mother sent her documents and made her promise not to tell Danny. After his father abused her, she was forced to flee but never stopped loving her son. She again urges him to travel to Jalisco. Danny reveals his travel plans to his friends. Finally, we see Danny on a plane to Mexico; tired, but ready to fulfill his destiny.

About The Author

Audrey Clare grew up in St. Louis, Missouri before settling in west Texas. A painter turned writer, her art has been featured in galleries, office spaces and private collections. Her short story, 'A Spirit Nearby' was published in Unity Magazine.