Two Families Love
GENRE
YOUNG ADULT ROMANCE DRAMA FAMILY
Core Theme
LOVE CONQUERS ALL.
TIME PERIOD
1980s & '90s,20th Century (multiple decades),2000s,Contemporary
COMPARABLE TITLES
MODERN FAMILY; BLACK-ISH; GROWN-ISH
CHARACTER LIST
DAVID: 40S. GWEN'S HUSBAND, FATHER TO PAIGE.
LARRY: 40S. DAVID'S BEST FRIEND, JACKIE'S HUSBAND, FATHER TO ADAM, APRIL AND MARLON.
JACKIE: 40S. LARRY'S WIFE. MOTHER TO ADAM, APRIL AND MARLON.
GWEN: 40S. DAVID'S WIFE. MOTHER TO PAIGE.
GRACE: 20S-30S. DAVID'S FRIEND. WILLIAM'S WIDOW. MOTHER TO JEFF.
JEFF: 20S. GRACE'S SON. APRIL'S HUSBAND.
Logline
This story about the friendship of a African American guy and a White American guy becoming the best of friends, and over the years their families become the best of friends.
Target Audiences
Age: 13-17,18-34,35-54,55+
Target Gender: Universal
Setting
anywhere
Based on a True Story
No
Publishing Details
Status: Yes: self-published
Publisher: Self-pusblished
Year Published: 2018
Starting Description
Two Families Love Becoming the best of friends these two guys; as they got to know one another; putting their guards down never to see the color of one’s skin; just the beauty of what’s inside; how the African American friend introduces the Caucasian friend to his future wife.
Ending Description
Still years later with all the drama, their friendship has stood the test of time as the next generation of children will show.
Group Specific
Information not completed
Hard Copy Available
No
ISBN
Information not completed
Mature Audience Themes
Information not completed
Plot - Other Elements
Coming of Age,Happy Ending,Meaningful Message
Plot - Premise
Other
Main Character Details
Name: David
Age: 25
Gender: Male
Role: Logical
Key Traits: Confident,Aspiring,Leader
Additional Character Details
Name: Larry
Age: 25
Gender: Male
Role: Logical
Key Traits: Confident,Modest
Additional Character Details
Name: Gwen
Age: 24
Gender: Female
Role: tempter
Key Traits: Sexy,Faithful,Gracious
Additional Character Details
Name: Jackie
Age: 25
Gender: Female
Role: logical
Key Traits: Decisive,Engaging
Genre
ROMANCE, DRAMA
Brief
After an African American man and a white man bond in college, they lose contact only to reconnect years later as husbands and fathers. They introduce their families and we follow them and their children (and eventually their children's children!) as they navigate the ups and downs of life and share in each other's successes, tragedies and relationships while forging a bond that can never be broken.
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 focuses a bit too much on David and Larry, and not enough on the appealing multi-generational aspect of the project. Each member of this ensemble cast is of equal importance and should receive the same recognition in loglines, summaries, etc. Additionally, the short summary should be in the same tense as the logline.
Draw of Story
The multi-generational, diverse cast is a draw because it allows for multiple POVs and urges the exploration of different character arcs within the same story line. As we navigate through the story, the layers become thicker, the characters become closer and the families rise up together through shared tragedy, success and intimacy.
Possible Drawbacks
The timing is sometimes difficult to follow, and the story often glosses over seemingly important dramatic moments. For instance, one section ends with David and Gwen's wedding and the next starts with the birth of their daughter without any reflection, increased motivation or perception. Similarly, the children move through life a bit too quickly without adequate room to perceive their own situations, and sometimes it's hard to distinguish their ages and statuses at any given time. There is also a tense issue throughout, which makes the story feel more convoluted than it is at its core. Fixing some of the grammar and working to ensure that the tenses are all correct will help simplify the story flow and keep the reader more engaged throughout. Finally, the dialogue is sometimes a bit too lyrical and poetic, which makes it hard to distinguish and separate the character's voices. Working to make sure each character sounds unique will help ensure that readers can separate them, and also help with character development.
Use of Special Effects
THE STORY DOES NOT RELY ON SPECIAL EFFECTS
Primary Hook of Story
This is a multi-generational, diverse story that follows two families as they navigate life together. The ensemble cast gives us a level of relatability that can translate into a wide target market, and the use of multiple POVs allows for a richer plot line with ample room for subplots, interwoven threads and unified storylines.
Fanbase Potential
The use of an ensemble cast that spans through so many different ages makes it feel like there could be something for everyone here (Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, Gen Z). Additionally the story tackles realistic situations that ground the characters and make the storyline feel approachable, while staying true to a core theme and both families shared values.
Awards Potential
Though the characters all have the potential to be engaging, none of them follow an arc that enables them to shine above the others which is relatively common within the genre. However, depending on how the use of a diverse, multi-generational cast is handled in a screenplay there could be below-the-line awards potential.
Envisioned Budget
LOW BUDGET
Similar Films/TV Series
MODERN FAMILY; BLACK-ISH; GROWN-ISH
What’s New About the Story
The combination of a multi-generational cast and a diverse one makes this stand out. Following some of the cast members from childhood to adulthood also allows for fuller, meatier arcs and more engaging characters overall. Better use of subplot against a unified storyline and further character development across the board is likely to make this feel richer, fuller and more unique throughout.
Lead Characters
While there is no standout lead here, each of the characters has a place within the families and faces his or her struggles that are handled within the unit David and Larry have created. Continued positivity, even in the face of tragedy, and the constant callback to friendship, love and a shared bond allows all of the characters to operate with similar values, but with room for uniqueness and individuality as their stories unravel.
Uniqueness of Story
It feels like a bit more work needs to be done in order to consider this a rare gem. While the core premise has potential, some more character work and plot development are required in order to elevate the story and make it feel well-rounded and polished. Allowing dramatic scenes to breathe, allowing the characters the time to perceive their situations and explore their motivations and emotions and fixing some of the time jumps could all help heighten the story and make it much more easily digestible.
Possible Formats
TV Series - Streaming, TV Series - Network, TV Series - Cable
Analyst Recommendation
WORK IN PROGRESS
Justification
The character development feels somewhat surface level throughout, in that the characters don't move through their emotions or explore their motivations in an adequate way. Part of this is likely because the story moves so quickly, but allowing sufficient time for the characters to grow is a great place to start. Additionally, capitalizing more on some of the dramatic moments and allowing them adequate time to unfold will help make the story flow feel more natural overall, and the project itself to feel more polished, well-rounded and complete.
Tips for Improvement
The character work needs to be expanded a bit, exploring all relevant emotions, behaviors and motivations. A simple example is when Adam and Paige have trouble conceiving. Surely this would have an effect on their relationship, and on Paige herself. Finding a way to relay those emotions to the audience will help both characters feel richer and more well-rounded. The plot line needs to slow down a bit as well, ensuring that there is ample time to sit with each anecdote or situation that a character faces. For instance, when Jeff is accused of potential thievery by the security guard it's a relatively quick ordeal that doesn't seem to leave any lasting impact. Discovering that impact and incorporating it into the rest of Jeff's journey could help him feel more dimensional and fuller to an audience. Finally, there are both tense and grammar issues throughout the manuscript that make things difficult to follow. That coupled with the time jumps make the story seem more convoluted than it was likely intended.
Brief
An African American family and a white family bond over the love, friendship, and tragedy their lives bring. Over decades and through generations, we follow a cast of characters as they share their struggles, successes, heartbreaks and romances. They cheer each other on and pick each other up, but never lose the love and friendship that has bonded them for a lifetime.
What We Liked
With a multi-generational, diverse ensemble cast TWO FAMILIES LOVE is relatable, approachable and rooted in positivity. Its message is simple: the bond of love and friendship lasts a lifetime, and as we follow grandparents, parents, and children through decades of their lives we're privy to all of the ups and downs, the drama and the celebrations that give our lives meaning. The characters are tested time and again. They're pulled apart, and then pushed back together only to learn that their bond is stronger than anything they may face.
Here, we explore multiple generations and follow two families through the trials and tribulations of their unique, but relatable lives. Simply put, there's something for everyone. The source material is rich with anecdotes that make it feel approachable, and it does a great job of touching upon both the good times and the bad. It's also rooted in realism, as the characters face racial tension and tragedy that threatens their bond but elevates their character growth.
Key points: Ensemble cast.
Diverse cast.
Multi-generational.
Great use of theme.
Rooted in realism.
Synopsis
JACKIE sits on her mother’s front porch after an argument with her husband, LARRY. Jackie’s mother, MARY, calls Larry to pick her up and he vows never to gamble again. Meanwhile, DAVID and his wife, GWEN, are vacationing at their beach home. After losing money gambling, David comes clean to Gwen and Gwen forgives him. On their way home, David and Gwen stop at a gas station, and run into Jackie and Larry. The families make plans to get together. We learn that Larry and Jackie were supposed to be married the week after graduation, but Larry lost the money and they had to push back the wedding. We also learn that David and Gwen met in the military. After two years, David proposes. The wedding is small, with Gwen’s sister, GRACE, as the bridesmaid and David’s army buddy, WILLIAM, as a groomsman. David plots to matchmake Grace and William.
Gwen gets pregnant, and David brings his family to see his mother and stepfather, BIG BEN. Big Ben apologizes for his mistreatment during David’s childhood. Meanwhile, Grace and William begin a relationship and eventually decide to marry. They give birth to a son, JEFF. On his way home from a night shift, William dies in a car crash. Grace moves in with Gwen’s family, and Paige and Jeff bond as siblings.
Mary moves in with Jackie and Larry. She goes for a walk in the neighborhood and hears someone calling her name. After convincing herself that she’s hearing things, she discovers that it’s an old high school buddy, JOHN. Mary and John catch up at Jackie’s.
When Jeff needs a date to prom, Paige suggests that he go with April. Adam attends with a girlfriend but is distracted by Paige’s beauty. During his senior year of high school, Adam plays football and Paige practices for a debate championship. Adam gets injured and taken to the hospital. Paige visits him at home and presents him with a teddy bear. Paige wins the debate competition, and the families celebrate.
Adam accepts a two-year scholarship to play football at a local junior college, and Paige accepts a scholarship to study law at a state university, where April and Jeff, Adam and Marlon will ultimately join. April and Paige become roommates, and Adam and Marlon join the school’s football team. April and Jeff fall in love.
Paige gets into law school; Jeff gets a job teaching at the local elementary school and Adam gets invited to try out for a Canadian football team. When Paige graduates, she takes a job as a public defender and begins volunteering with city youth. She decides to run for city council, and wins. Meanwhile, Adam begins playing football for a semi-pro team. He meets DEBBIE, but the relationship ends when he is unable to give her his whole heart. His football career ends, and he joins his father’s construction company.
April joins Jeff’s school as a teacher, and Marlon gets an assistant coaching job, where he meets CATHY. Meanwhile, KIM asks her mother, DONNA, about her father. She learns that is WILLIAM’S daughter and that Donna didn’t tell him she was pregnant. Kim seeks out Jeff and introduces herself. She meets the family and bonds with Paige, but not April. April eventually gets frustrated and leaves Jeff. As Kim and Paige continue to bond, Kim decides to apologize to April.
Paige and Adam reconnect, and Adam finally admits his feelings for her. Jeff and April make up as Adam and Paige begin a relationship. Paige finds an old building to house a community center and Adam arranges for the construction company to do the necessary work on it. Adam asks her to marry him, and she agrees.
As the families celebrate the engagement, Cathy breaks up with Marlon. Though heartbroken, he vows to heal. Jeff and Marlon arrange time to discuss Adam’s bachelor party. Jeff picks up beer and is accosted by a security guard who believes him to be suspicious. Marlon arrives and speaks on Jeff behalf, winning over the other patrons.
When they return from their honeymoon, Paige tries and fails to get in touch with her parents. Worried, she calls Jeff who wants to go check on them. Paige and Jeff are on the phone when Jeff crashes into a tree and dies at the scene. Still unable to get a hold of Gwen and David, Larry and Jackie arrive at the hospital to meet the family. April faints from the shock of it, while Paige struggles with guilt.
Gwen and David arrive at the hospital with Grace, and the families mourns together. When April comes to, the doctors inform her that she’s pregnant. Meanwhile, Kim and Marlon begin dating, April asks Kim to stay with her and Grace, and decides to name her son JW, after Jeff and William.
JW’s presence motivates Adam and Paige to start trying to conceive. Meanwhile, Kim becomes pregnant. As Adam and Paige begin the process of adoption, Paige finds out that she’s three months pregnant. They move closer to their families, and Jackie helps them secure a house.
Mary finds happiness with John, and they move into a retirement home together. Grace and April stay single and raise JW. April becomes a high school principal and Marlon becomes the head coach. Paige, restless, decides to become a defense attorney and love and friendship carries these two families through the rest of their days.