Polygamists in love: a screenplay

Abstract

This screenplay sets out to clear the path for a more interesting, nuanced treatment of polygamists. I chose the romantic comedy form because polygamy always brings up strong emotions in people. Writing a hard hitting drama about the subject, therefore, would probably merely alienate me from a wider audience, and leave me preaching to a very small choir. The romantic comedy has the advantage of being able to approach a difficult subject with grace and light-heartedness. The story does not have to take a hard stand on an issue, it is left free to explore. The action of the story takes place in Utah, 1879, and centers on a convict at the Utah State Penitentiary who falls in love with the youngest wife of his polygamist cell mate. Each character starts the story pretty much stuck in his or her beliefs, but finds them challenged by the events of the story. Each character must perform a decisive act by the end of the film in order to reconcile these challenges.