This is the one truly serious, the most emotionally moving and lovingly crafted version of "Ben Franklin" among the participants I've read (about 60% of the batch).
I understand that "serious" is probably not a quality AS looked for in their punch-up contest -- but there's no comedy without tragedy, no humor without drama. A true historical script should at least try to address the horrors of the era (although war could and should be funny, as Ms. Donahue demonstrates so spectacularly) and the age of the protagonist (in the final scenes we see Ben as a naked old man and it's both poignant and eventually uplifting). And I'm still haunted by the author's use of "The Star-Spangled Banner."
I may be somewhat biased (both my and Ms. Donahue's takes have Mr. Franklin biting and gouging people, the strip search jail scene and a downbeat ending), but I'm quite honestly flabbergasted that this didn't get a $500 nod.
My only explanation is, AS is moving in a totally different lite comedy direction.
I understand that "serious" is probably not a quality AS looked for in their punch-up contest -- but there's no comedy without tragedy, no humor without drama. A true historical script should at least try to address the horrors of the era (although war could and should be funny, as Ms. Donahue demonstrates so spectacularly) and the age of the protagonist (in the final scenes we see Ben as a naked old man and it's both poignant and eventually uplifting). And I'm still haunted by the author's use of "The Star-Spangled Banner."
I may be somewhat biased (both my and Ms. Donahue's takes have Mr. Franklin biting and gouging people, the strip search jail scene and a downbeat ending), but I'm quite honestly flabbergasted that this didn't get a $500 nod.
My only explanation is, AS is moving in a totally different lite comedy direction.