THE MIDNIGHT RAMBLER

by

John Charles Lewis

 

Log Line

A repo man discovers his Colombian wife has a past that forces him into service as an undercover DEA agent to bring in her ex-fiancee; the head of the Cali Drug Cartel.

 

Genre

Action-Adventure

 

Themes

Reliance in friends and in your spouse

Keeping one¹s word

Bonding

Trust in others

One man¹s quest to purge all doubt in his marriage

Music

 

Sub-themes

Repossession

Colombia

The Drug Trade

The DEA

The War on Drugs

The Rolling Stones

 

Overview

The MIDNIGHT RAMBLER takes place over a three day period leading up to Halloween, 2005. It tells the story of two of the most successful entrepreneurs in their respective industries; Repo Man extraordinaire ROB SAMPSON and Colombian Drug Lord JORGE GONZALEZ.

Married for over twenty years, Rob Sampson always felt there was something missing in his relationship with his beautiful Latin wife, Monica. Although she was the prefect spouse, there was something wrong, and Rob could never put his finger on it.

As the story starts, we see Repo Man Rob Sampson in action. The world of automobile repossession is an unknown place to most people. It¹s a mysterious business, and it provides a film maker the rare opportunity to show an industry that has yet to be properly displayed on film. Repossession represents action, adventure and at times, humor. This film will capture all of those qualities as it shows the audience exactly how a real Repo Man operates. I know, because for twenty years, I was a Repo Man. I built the largest repossession company in the country before retiring in 1999 at age forty. My name is John Charles Lewis, and the repossession activity shown in this film is based on actual repossessions I performed, utilizing what I call "reel-life fiction". Portions of the story actually happened, others are fictitious. The opening montage of repossession activity is fueled by the driving passion of the film¹s title track; The Rolling Stones classic live anthem MIDNIGHT RAMBLER.

As the story unfolds, the skeleton in Monica Sampson¹s closet reveals itself in the form of her former fiancée; Colombian drug lord Jorge Gonzalez. Monica¹s hidden her past from Rob for twenty-six years when the DEA discovers her secret. Unsure of her involvement with Gonzalez and the Cali Drug Cartel, the DEA recruit¹s Rob to become an undercover agent. At the same time, they attempt to sequester Monica on a bogus jury duty assignment.

THE MIDNIGHT RAMBLER features several characters whose lives are intertwined. These characters, combined with the themes of the film, work together to form smooth and matching transitions from one sequence to the next as the story unfolds.

When Monica and Rob discover they¹re being set up by the DEA, the turn the tables and join forces with Gonzalez, who¹s escaped Colombia after a daring raid which nearly took his life.

The screenplay has been written to feature the music of one musical group; The Rolling Stones. It includes a small cameo role for each member of the band, including Keith Richards, whom Rob Sampson has befriended after naming his son after the legendary guitarist. The bond that develops between the characters drives the story towards its surprising and exciting conclusion at a Rolling Stones concert at the Wiltern Theater in Los Angeles on Halloween night.

 

STRUCTURE

The Midnight Rambler begins at midnight, two days before Halloween. The film starts in Colombia, the cocaine capital of the world. This scene is told from the perspective of one of the two main characters, a Colombian drug lord named Jorge Gonzalez.

The second scene takes place at the exact same time in Los Angeles, the repossession capital of the world. This scene is told from the perspective of the second main character, Rob Sampson. The story continues through the eyes of these two characters, alternating perspectives from scene to scene.

The next few scenes introduce the supporting characters. As the story unfolds, these characters, along with Rob and Jorge, begin a journey that will bring them together for the exciting conclusion at the Stones Halloween concert at the Wiltern Theater.

The film will be shot in and around Los Angeles, with some scenes being shot in Palm Desert and Phoenix.

 

CASTING

This film will use the combination of an exciting premise with an enthralling, attractive cast. The cast members will push each others buttons to generate the kind of personal stories that keep audiences hooked, similar to what you would find in a Robert Altman multi-character type of film. The dialogue will be alluring and enticing. It will utilize the dialects and the accompanying slang of the different subcultures represented in this film; from repossessors to Colombians to drug dealers to the Rolling Stones.

While casting the main characters is always an important decision, the cameo roles that have been scripted in to the story will also play an equally critical role in the success of this film.

The cameo using John McEnroe in Mr. Deeds ($126m) and the cameo¹s in Austin Powers Goldmember ($213m) illustrate the value of a well placed cameo. I¹ve written Jack Nicholson, John McEnroe, Shakira and the Rolling Stones into cameo appearances for The Midnight Rambler.

If I had a choice, I¹d cast Johnny Depp as Rob Sampson, Benicio Del Toro as Jorge and Sofia Vergara as Monica.

 

TARGET MARKET

The Midnight Rambler will target various groups of people, including:

• People who use email frequently (You¹ve Got Mail-$116m)

• People who use email frequently, and hide their true identity (There¹s a few :)

• Anyone involved or interested in the drug trade (Traffic-$125m)

• Colombians or anyone with an interest in Colombia or drug cartels (Clear and Present Danger-$122m)

• People who believe in loyalty and friendships (Jerry Maguire $154m)

• People who¹ve been late on a car payment, people who¹ve had their cars repossessed, the auto finance industry, the collection industry (untapped market)

• Fans of the Rolling Stones (Their 2002-3 tour grossed $300m, the second largest tour in music history. Their 1994-5 tour is #1, grossing $320m)

 

MUSIC

The music in this film, from beginning to end, will play a critical role in the success of the project. In the beginning of the film Blow ($53m), the Stones song Can¹t You Hear Me Knockin¹ was featured almost in its entirety while the credits rolled. That song set the stage for the movie.

The Midnight Rambler¹s second scene will feature a montage of exciting repossession activity while the credits roll. The action from this scene will be fueled by the Stones classic song, Midnight Rambler.

The impact of the Stones music on the films it¹s been featured in forms an impressive list. When you add up all the box office receipts for these movies, it totals well over a billion dollars. This film could feature the music of the Rolling Stones exclusively, or their music could be mixed in with the music of other artists. If they wanted to consider using additional music, I would also include Te Aviso, Te Anuncio (Tango) by Shakira, who¹s from Colombia.

One additional concept or option would be to have the Stones write some new music for this film. Besides having the inside track on an Academy award for best original music, this could also be used as a vehicle to get their new music out to the public in a way they haven¹t tried before. Another option would be to include some material from their vault of rarities and unreleased material, like the excellent version Mick Jagger sang of "Drift Away". This song could play during the final scene when Rob and Monica are on their yacht, headed for Colombia.

 

GOALS

One goal of this film is to portray the life of Rob Sampson as a likeable, regular guy that many people can relate to. As the repo stories take place, we see how Rob is very clever and resourceful. As his loyalty is tested, he makes poignant decisions that most people would like to think they could make themselves. As the plot thickens and he becomes involved with the DEA, the Cali cartel and the skeletons in his wife¹s closet, he perseveres and displays a strong constitution, taking control of his destiny and the destiny of those who surround him.

While the topic of drug trafficking plays a central role, the film will not promote drug use or illegal activities. The villain, the drug lord, was a good kid until he made a bad decision at an early age, joining the Cali cartel. We see him twenty-five years later, fully aware of the impact this decision has had on his life, his family and his country. The intent with this character is to show that it¹s never too late in life to make a difficult, life-altering change to make yourself a better person. Even if you¹re the head of the Cali cartel.

The highest grossing film that featured a musical act and an assortment of their music was The Bodyguard ($122m). After that it¹s Eight Mile ($116m). The record for a film with a musicians exclusive music filling the soundtrack is Purple Rain by Prince ($99m).

If the Stones would be willing to participate by writing some new music that could be mixed in with a few classics, and if we could get Cameron Crowe or a comparable director and a good cast, I believe we¹d set the new standard for a film that features a musical artist and their music.

 

VIDEO AND INTERNATIONAL RELEASE

There is significant potential for both the video and the international release of this film. Countries all over the world are consumed by a need to know what¹s going on in the United States. With the repossession story, we have something they have yet to be told. Finally, the connection in this film to Colombia opens up the Latin market, particularly in South and Central America, as well as Mexico.

As a note, the film "8 mile" only did $9m in international sales. I¹m confident the Stones world-wide appeal will give this film a significant increase over that number.

 

CORPORATE PARTNERSHIPS

I wrote the story with several corporate partners in mind:

• A major musical act- The Rolling Stones

• Microsoft ­ Outlook Express

• Motorola or another cellular phone company

• Tommy Hilfiger and/or other clothing manufacturers

• Chevy, Ford or another major auto manufacturer

• Home furnishing company

• Internet companies, i.e. ebay, Yahoo!, etc.

• America West or like major airline

• Glen Levit or like single malt scotch maker

• Bank of America or like major bank

• Rock Resorts-The Lodge at Rancho Mirage, Rancho Mirage, Ca.

• Four Seasons hotel ­ L.A.

•G. Heileman Old Style beer or another beer manufacturer

• Vienna Hot Dog company or like company

• Winnebago or like RV Manufacturer

• Palm Pilot or like manufacturer

• Viking Yacht or like manufacturer

• Starbucks or like coffee house

• Big Horn at Palm Desert

• Carey Limousines or like company

• Wiltern Theater

• Apple computers or like laptop computer manufacturer

• Plasma TV Manufacturer

• Fortune Magazine or like financial trade magazine

• Cessna or like small airplane manufacturer

• Princess Resort-Scottsdale, Az.

• Pay-Per-View TV station or HBO/Showtime, etc.

• Ski Nautique or like boat manufacturer

 

SUMMARY

The Midnight Rambler is a film that is intended to entertain and educate.

It entertains us by showing the previously untold story of how a repo man operates, including some hair-raising tales that would make Sherlock Holmes envious. We¹re captivated as we see Jorge Gonzalez running for his life, barely escaping the DEA¹s Delta Force unit. Our interest is captured by the backstage going¹s on at a Rolling Stones concert and were ready to get up out of our seats and dance when we see the Stones perform live from the Wiltern Theater.

From an educational standpoint, the film sends several messages. First, it clearly shows us that being a drug dealer has more downs than ups. I believe there is a responsibility amongst film makers to deliver a message like this versus glamorizing the life of a drug dealer. The film also demonstrates the importance of trust and loyalty in a relationship, whether it¹s in a friendship or a marriage. Several characters are tested and their loyalty to each other sends a strong message to the audience about the rewards one receives when these qualities are a part of the relationship between two individuals. The film also educates us in regard to the problems facing Colombia. It asks, and then answers the question of what would Colombia be like without the cartels and the corruption.

The final piece of tutelage we receive is a lesson in Rock and Roll 101. By the time the final credits are rolling, our feet are tired from tapping to the beat of the last song in the soundtrack. At the end of the movie, there will be no doubt as to why they call the Rolling Stones "The Greatest Rock and Roll Band in the world."

 

Additional Revenue

Additional revenue can be realized through the soundtrack which will feature The Rolling Stones. I would see this as an additional opportunity for the band to use a medium such as film to display their songwriting talents by writing some new music specifically for this film. In addition to the new music, the soundtrack can include some rarities such as Mick singing "Drift Away", Keith singing "Somewhere over the Rainbow" and some of their more obscure songs.

In addition, the possibility exists for a MIDNIGHT RAMBLER video game to be developed as well as the standard merchandise associated with films of this genre.