The Stone Fiddler-...Fate or destiny
DRAMA HISTORICAL FICTION ROMANCE POLITICAL
1960s & '70s,1980s & '90s
Eugenia Jenny Williams
TaleFlick Pick!
Logline
Two people from a different social backgrounds with a separate life experiences finding love with each other. Binh experienced the Vietnamese War, lost everything, lived in underground tunnels, where the Hanoi Symphony Orchestra taught him violin. Julia is a receptionist in an Escort Agency.
Genre
Drama,Historical Fiction,Romance,Political
Short Summary
Hanoi,hot and steamy.Without warning the air fills with whining of sirens,empties the streets, it crawls into houses and under the skin of people. The fear is heavy inside Binh. He will carry that memory deep into his manhood, always link it with memories closely associated with roar of aeroplanes.
Setting
Hanoi, Xuan Phu-village in Vietnam, Melbourne-Australia, Cote D'Azur+Nice
Based on a True Story
No
Plot - Premise
Internal Journey/Rebirth,Tragedy
Plot - Other Elements
Happy Ending,Meaningful Message,Philosophical Questions
Mature Audience Themes
Information not completed
Main Character Details
Name: Binh
Age: 8-35
Gender: Male
Role: Protagonist
Key Traits: Complex,Desperate,Faithful,Educated,Insecure,Modest,Romantic
Additional Character Details
Name: Julia
Age: 16-40
Gender: Female
Role: Emotional
Key Traits: Engaging,Faithful,Educated,Sexy,Romantic
Additional Character Details
Name: Adam
Age: 40
Gender: Male
Role: mentor
Key Traits: Charming,Complex,Confident,Masculine,Sexy,Sophisticated,Secretive,Romantic,Educated
Additional Character Details
Name: Adam
Age: 40
Gender: Male
Role: mentor
Key Traits: Complex,Confident,Educated,Honorable,Masculine,Sexy,Secretive
Genre
ROMANCE, DRAMA
Brief
Binh survives the Vietnam war and makes a life for himself in Australia as a violinist. He meets Julia, a widow, who is raising her Vietnamese daughter. They have a chance meet and slowly develop a friendship that turns into love. In a twist of fate, Binh finds out that Julia's adoptive daughter, Lee, is his biological daughter.
Overall Rating
GOOD
Narrative Elements
Authors Writing Style: GOOD
Characterization: GOOD
Commerciality: GOOD
Franchise Potential: FAIR
Pace: GOOD
Premise: GOOD
Structure: GOOD
Theme: GOOD
Accuracy of Book Profile
Yes, the book profile accurately reflects the book.
Draw of Story
The story begins with Binh's hallowing experiences. He vividly describes his home and life at the age of 8, before his village was bombed and his mother was killed. A village is formed with survivors, underground, and a music school is created even in the midst of a war. Binh learns how to play the violin which set his course in life.
Possible Drawbacks
The story is not cohesive. It begins with Binh's story, then switches into Julia's story and then they come together and fall in love. Julia is not introduced until half way through the story. It should start with Binh and Julia meeting and then go back into their stories to establish the characters.
Use of Special Effects
THE STORY DOES NOT RELY ON SPECIAL EFFECTS
Primary Hook of Story
The hook is that Julia and Binh have very distinct life experience but they find each other. I would watch this movie for the sweet love story. It is a slow build of friendship and respect that builds the foundation for love.
Fanbase Potential
This would have a small fanbase. It is a quiet film and the romantic relationship is slow. There isn't much excitement but it would appeal to an older crowd.
Awards Potential
This does not have awards potential. The story has some very dramatic moments but nothing that is especially memorable.
Envisioned Budget
MEDIUM BUDGET
Similar Films/TV Series
OUR SOULS AT NIGHT, SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE
What’s New About the Story
The romance that develops between Binh and Julia is very realistic and does not suffer from romantic troupes. They meet, have coffee and over time build a friendship. There aren't dramatic moments of passion and declarations, but subtle moments where love grows.
Lead Characters
The lead characters persevered through many obstacles. Binh lost his family in the war and was forced to live secretly underground. He survives the war and is able to make a new life in Australia. Julia marries her high school sweetheart. They struggle and Julia loses the ability to have children. They adopt a girl from Vietnam but a few years later, her husband is killed in a car accident. She is forced to work as a secretary at a escort center. They have lived, struggled and survived. It makes it all the sweeter that they find love with each other.
Uniqueness of Story
This is an above average story. It is compelling and entertaining considering it does not have the frills and excitement many romantic films do. The story needs a restructuring. The characters timelines should be told simultaneously while showing the relationship between the two.
Possible Formats
Film - Indie, Film - Streaming, TV Series - Limited Run / Mini-Series
Analyst Recommendation
CONSIDER
Justification
This is a solid romantic story. It is very sweet and relatable because the romance is realistic. The characters personal backstory enrich the understanding of the importance of the relationship. The audience becomes more invested in the characters and the relationship. This story also sheds light on serious topics such as the Vietnam War, abortion, adoption, sex work and death. It has a lot of depth and nuance.