Im writing this screenplay about a man (Nick) whose upbringing has given him certain stringent ideas of purity and virtue. But he is also completely obsessed with sexual lust. His struggle to reconcile these two opposing states of mind has isolated him. His only real connection to the outside world is his hard drinking friend budd, with whom he never makes any meaningful connections. Basically their relationship is of mutually exclusive friendship, mutually exclusive because both are a little to weird to have other real human friendships. Now Nick ends up seeing this girl who, in his mind, becomes the perfect image of innocence and virtue. He becomes obsessed with her in a non sexual way, she is in essense his idea of the sublime or ethereal. He goes on to find himself in sexual situations, largely introduced to him through Budd, that he rejects out of guilt caused by this obsession. He feels that to have sex with the other girls he encounters would violate the virtues of his goddess. Anyways in his obsession he ends up spying on his 'goddess' and see's her having sex with her boyfriend. He smashes into her house and ends up beating up her boyfriend. Instead of the praise he expects for 'saving' her she rejects him. Now he has been basically rejected by his god. This is where I get to my problem. What happens now? I mean imagine you are a devout believer in anything, god, certain ideals, whatever and suddenly it is revealed to you that your god or your ideals are fake and baseless. Obviously theres going to be some conflict and chaos emotionally here. I just don't know how to resolve the movie in a satisfactory manner. I cant just leave Nick in this nihilistic wasteland whithin which he has found himself. So what do I do?

Well, what would you do? I guess if you can relate to this character, think of what you would do.

Have you seen Taxi Driver? The movie has the same themes. Analyze that movie, read essays on it, and read essays on psychology.

He grows and realizes God is dead. If he's become obsessive over purity and innocence and then willing to resort to violence he's going to grow into an unhealthy character. You need Budd, or someone, to slap reality back into him so he realizes that this **** happens. That seems like the only logical way for him to go.

elliott.

Thank you for your replies. Ive seen Taxi Driver and I know that this screenplay shares some thematic aspects. The character of Nick is however essentially different from Travis Bickle. Whereas Travis was disgusted with the sexuality and deviance that he see's around him, Nick is aroused by it. Travis goes and tries to destroy the system through which this sexual depravation is allowed to occur. Nick is too interested in it to destroy it, he simply cannot participate because of his obsession with his new goddess. So it can't end like Taxi Driver did. If Travis was replaced with Nick he would more likely have slept with Iris after being rejected then kill her pimps. But I can't just have Nick go on a rampage of carnal fury just because his value system collapsed. What kind of ending is that? Even if I have some other character try to set Nick straight what message would that be sending him? If your value system is destroyed you should just go out and build another one even though its just as likely to be demolished. Maybe theres some sort of zen ending I could find, like peace in nothingness or something. Id like to bring Nick to a realization of humanities true nature as an imperfect specimen, but not entirely flawed. Not the virgin or the ***** sort of thing. But im at a loss over how to represent that without it coming out cheap and forced.

Simple - leave it open ended. A long reaction shot of Nick's face, contorted with fury, then with the realization that he's been worshipping a false idol. Then a long shot of him turning away from the apartment window and walking down the empty street.

It might be more powerful if he doesn't confront the girl at all, or at least not while she's having sex. In reality, he'd probably wait until the next day, call her, then meet in a park or coffee shop or something and deliver his rant.

Well you first question is always, "What does your lead character want?" What's his goal in life . . .or at least in the stage of life he is in when the movie takes place. Does he wish he was as "pure" as this goddess? Or at least as pure as he thinks she is? Assuming he thinks that his goddess is a virgin, does he want himself to be the one she loses it to? Etc. Etc. his purpose/goal could be one of a countless million things ...but it's what's going to drive every single action he takes.

For example- let's say his goal is He desires to be as pure as this goddess. So when he sees that she's having sex with her bf it would almost be relieving for him because he would then realize that to an extent he is as pure as she, or she is as impure as him. So maybe he wouldn't even break into the house. Who knows . . .but ultimately one of two things will happen and this is how/when the movie ends- Either he meets his goal or he fails. But which ever it is the end of the movie should come when he meets it . . .or when he fails at meeting it.

So find out what your character's goal/need is .. and that will help you determine where to take your story!

Have fun writing and creating.

My Name Is Dallas Morgan

Very nice idea--I like it... Well I think the two ways the ending can go has to be either with his 'goddess' or without. He either has to come to realization of his beliefs himself, or either she forgives him, helps him find the light, or goes in the opposite direction.
Luv