There's a problem when you juggle several storylines, and you try to give equal time to each of them. Like what happens with a juggler, you end up dropping all of them. This is what happens in this film.
Theo Davis tries to juggle multiple storylines, rather than focusing on the one that matters; the one that everyone wants to see. And what ends up happening is that you have a very uneven script that bobs and weaves all over the place.
Movies and shows have what are called "A," "B," "C," and so forth storylines, listed in order of importance and focus. Your "A" storyline is the one given the most attention and focus. It declines from there based upon the previously mentioned criteria.
Davis gives us these storylines: Frank growing up and the hardships he endures; Frank as a police officer recovering from a nearly fatal accident; Frank as a police officer dealing with corruption within the department as two officers attempt to set him up; Frank meeting Michael, a young boy who is terminally ill and wishes to be a police officer, as his favorite program is CHiPs.
The audience is most interested in Frank's accident and his desire to help Michael. The backstory should have been cut to only a few scenes that show what he went through growing up. The rest has nothing to do with the focal point of the story, which is how the Make-A-Wish program began. The inter-departmental investigation is another storyline that has no bearing or purpose, and it should have been scrapped.
Had the writing and directing maintained its focus on the above-mentioned storylines, you would have had a very cohesive story that was endearing and heart-warming. Instead, because we're served with multiple storylines, we don't feel the connection with Frank and Michael that we should have.
Performances are very good in this film. A lot of young, upcoming talent mixed with some veteran actors you'll undoubtedly recognize. It's just a shame that this story wasn't given its due attention as it certainly deserves. The Make-A-Wish foundation is one of the most amazing nonprofit organizations, granting wishes to hundreds and thousands of kids. Such an organization certainly deserved much more focus and screen time than the 10-15 minutes it was given.
Theo Davis tries to juggle multiple storylines, rather than focusing on the one that matters; the one that everyone wants to see. And what ends up happening is that you have a very uneven script that bobs and weaves all over the place.
Movies and shows have what are called "A," "B," "C," and so forth storylines, listed in order of importance and focus. Your "A" storyline is the one given the most attention and focus. It declines from there based upon the previously mentioned criteria.
Davis gives us these storylines: Frank growing up and the hardships he endures; Frank as a police officer recovering from a nearly fatal accident; Frank as a police officer dealing with corruption within the department as two officers attempt to set him up; Frank meeting Michael, a young boy who is terminally ill and wishes to be a police officer, as his favorite program is CHiPs.
The audience is most interested in Frank's accident and his desire to help Michael. The backstory should have been cut to only a few scenes that show what he went through growing up. The rest has nothing to do with the focal point of the story, which is how the Make-A-Wish program began. The inter-departmental investigation is another storyline that has no bearing or purpose, and it should have been scrapped.
Had the writing and directing maintained its focus on the above-mentioned storylines, you would have had a very cohesive story that was endearing and heart-warming. Instead, because we're served with multiple storylines, we don't feel the connection with Frank and Michael that we should have.
Performances are very good in this film. A lot of young, upcoming talent mixed with some veteran actors you'll undoubtedly recognize. It's just a shame that this story wasn't given its due attention as it certainly deserves. The Make-A-Wish foundation is one of the most amazing nonprofit organizations, granting wishes to hundreds and thousands of kids. Such an organization certainly deserved much more focus and screen time than the 10-15 minutes it was given.