The original one-page treatment for last words is on the right. The log-line we've been using to describe the film isthe following:
When a young man learns he is dying, he becomes obsessed with killing a popular television host.
"Last Words" combines a compelling story with an exciting visual style. The entire film is told in a multi-screen format.
Still not enough information for you? The "Last Words" screenplay is also available.
"Last Words"
1 page treatment
As creator and host of the hugely successful show "Citizen’s
Arrest," Roger White should be a happy man. He has money,
power and fame. But someone is blackmailing him. Someone who knows his
popularity is based on murder, not heroism.
Mark Fletcher has been obsessed with Roger White since the day
he found out he was dying of brain cancer. Mark’s attempts to make
Roger admit to his crime have, so far, been unsuccessful. When he finds
out he only has a week left to live, he decides to take drastic action.
He will kill Roger.
But Mark is an ordinary man, not a skilled assassin, nor a brutal thug.
He learns he cannot shoot well. He plans elaborate schemes, but his execution
leaves much to be desired. On top of that, his worsening physical condition
is making it difficult to remember things.
Meanwhile Roger is suspicious of almost everyone around him. His friend
and manager James tries to keep Roger under control, but the threat
of being exposed and losing everything has made Roger irrational. Without
any real evidence, Roger kills his accountant. James warns that this cannot
happen again.
One night Mark breaks into Roger’s home. As he plants C-4 explosives
around the house, he discovers Celeste. She is bound and gagged
in Roger’s closet. He unties her and they narrowly escape the house,
but not before awakening Roger.
Thwarted once more, Mark tries to convince Celeste that Roger is not the
hero the world thinks he is. Her experience as Roger’s latest blackmail
suspect doesn’t make it too hard. When Mark explains why he thinks
it is justifiable for him to kill Roger, she refuses to help. Instead,
she develops a plan to get Roger to confess to his more recent crimes.
When Mark brings a gun along with him, "in case Roger doesn’t
say anything useful," Celeste is upset. She agreed to help with a
confession, but not a murder.
Mark goes to meet Roger, who indeed doesn’t admit to anything. At
such a close range, it would be easy for someone, even someone as poor
a shot as Mark, to kill Roger. But Celeste’s words have had an impact.
Mark can’t bring himself to murder.
Mark returns to Celeste and explains that he couldn’t kill. He has
a new idea that requires Celeste’s help. A peculiar plan that doesn’t
involve murder, but will bring down Roger, frame James and reward Celeste.
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