Webster Groves - The Life of an Insane Family Living in the Perfect American Suburb
MEMOIR COMEDY BIOGRAPHICAL FAMILY MELODRAMA
1960s & '70s
RJ O'Guillory
TaleFlick Pick!
Logline
Webster Groves is a story of contrast between a terribly dysfunctional family, and living in "Six square miles of the American Dream". Webster Groves is told through the eyes of kids exposed to incredible abuse, corruption, racism, alcoholism and the idiocy of their corrupt Law Enforcement parents.
Genre
Memoir,Comedy,Biographical,Family,Melodrama
Short Summary
I ran away from home when I was five years old. I hated my parents and I hated my home. I planned to live in the Gardener's Shed of the golf course, and to catch squirrels for my meals. I was nabbed less than a block away, dragged home and forced to tell my insane parents why I ran away. I lied
After 30 years trying to understand our childhood-mistreatment, in my mid-thirties, when I discovered a half-brother who was a couple weeks older than myself, and that his Mother was also pregnant with my Father's child while my Mom was pregnant with me, I began to understand.
Setting
Webster Groves, Missouri (St. Louis)
Based on a True Story
No
Plot - Premise
Internal Journey/Rebirth,Other
Plot - Other Elements
Coming of Age,Philosophical Questions,Twist
Mature Audience Themes
Extreme Violence,Sexual Abuse,Substance Abuse, Language/Profanity
Main Character Details
Name: Bobby
Age: 5-35
Gender: Male
Role: Logical
Key Traits: Adventurous,Clumsy,Complex,Empathetic,Modest,Outspoken,Funny,Visionary,Sarcastic,Naive,Underdog
Additional Character Details
Name: Father
Age: 40
Gender: Male
Role: Antagonist
Key Traits: Aggressive,Complex,Crazy,Criminal,Engaging,Insecure,Unapologetic,Manipulative,Funny,Blunt,Narcisstic,Villainous
Additional Character Details
Name: Mother
Age: 40
Gender: Female
Role: antagonist
Key Traits: Aggressive,Complex,Crazy,Villainous,Narcisstic,Criminal,Blunt,Funny,Sarcastic,Manipulative,Unapologetic,Insecure
Additional Character Details
The author has not yet written this
Development Pitch
Webster Groves is a coming-of-age tale about growing up in an incredibly dysfunctional home during the 1960's. The City of Webster Groves was chosen by CBS News in 1968 as the topic of two nationally broadcast documentaries narrated by Charles Kuralt, and were about living in "six square miles of the American Dream". Webster Groves is a story of contrast between the abuse, neglect and corruption at the hands of corrupt Law Enforcement Parents, and the perfect city of Webster Groves. Webster Groves presents a cauldron of hilarious abuse, bizarre behaviors...and eventually, the key to long-held-family-secrets.
Genre
DRAMA
Brief
Bobby details his abusive childhood at the hands of his dysfunctional parents. He describes how it affected him in his adult life. He became suicidal and spends some time in a mental institution.
Overall Rating
GOOD
Narrative Elements
Authors Writing Style: EXCELLENT
Characterization: EXCELLENT
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 is very detailed and descriptive about the environment Bobby and his siblings grew up in. He paints a very vivid picture of his parents and how the abuse went unchecked by those around them.
Possible Drawbacks
The entire story is very depressing. He recounts years and years of physical and emotional abuse. As an adult, he lives a dysfunctional life because he hasn't recognized the damage his childhood has caused. There are no bright spots at all during this story until the last moment.
Use of Special Effects
THE STORY DOES NOT RELY ON SPECIAL EFFECTS
Primary Hook of Story
The hook is that Bobby comes to terms with his abusive childhood as an adult . I would watch this movie to see the resilience of the human spirit. Bobby has a harrowing time as a child and doesn't live in a safe space. He mentions at the end how proud he is of his siblings because they all raised good, healthy children despite their upbringing. It is about rising above your circumstances and ending the cycle of abuse which is very inspiring.
Fanbase Potential
This could have a large fanbase because of how uplifting it could be. It is the exploration of a man's life and how he dealt with the circumstances he was dealt with.
Awards Potential
This story does have awards potential. It explores human emotion and the experiences children can have at the hands of certain personalities. Bobby's parents were racist, Nazi supporters.
Envisioned Budget
MEDIUM BUDGET
Similar Films/TV Series
GOOD WILL HUNTING, PRECIOUS
What’s New About the Story
The story is original because of the circumstances Bobby and his siblings grew up under. His father was a racist police officer with a drinking problem and a love child. His mother was emotionally manipulative. It is a true story and cannot be made more unique.
Lead Characters
The lead character doesn't stand out. The story follows him from the age of 5 to 35. He recognizes the abuse in his life and is angry. That carries on into adulthood. He deals with his life much as we have seen others in his situation. Bobby is angry, tries to live a normal life but must first face the fact that he needs to heal, to lead a successful life.
Uniqueness of Story
This is a gem because Bobby writes with so much detail and emotion about his life. He doesn't come across bitter because he is on the other side of healing.
Possible Formats
Film - Studio, Film - Streaming, Film - Indie, TV Series - Cable, TV Series - Limited Run / Mini-Series, TV Series - Streaming
Analyst Recommendation
CONSIDER
Justification
This is a consider over a recommend because it is very depressing. Bobby has so many experiences that are heartbreaking and destructive. He has so much baggage that his adult life is marred. He ends up divorced and takes a handful of pills. He hits rock bottom. It is a heavy story with very few uplifting points which might be too much for an audience. There needs to be some moments of light and hope.