The DU Lounge

the spy parents thing has been done several times, eg the entire 'Spy Kids' franchise, 6 movies. I am brainstorming for other secrets, not spies, that the parents could have that would set up similar dynamics. Really like the idea of having a unique and distinct crisis point in the parent child relationship that evokes and heightens the crux of everyone's adolescence. Make it less about spies and more about trust, identity and the beginning of adulthood. I have been kicking around ideas that are set during the late Cold War era, 1961-1964 and that is the period I would want for that one. Lean into the dynamics of the jingoistic 1950s versus the idealism of the mid-60s. Black and white image. Brutalist architecture and ranch style houses with kitsch interiors.

Interesting that River Phoenix did both 'Little Nikita' and 'Running on Empty' in 1988. In one his parents are spies. In the other his parents former members of the Weather Underground and still on the lamb. Very similar plot and family dynamics. 'Running on Empty' was the basis for the plot of "One Battle After Another.'

D would be the easiest for me to cast (only main two roles) and shooting could be very cinematic. I'm picturing the father buried by leaves and then snow in a time lapse, kind of dreamy, adult fairytale. His car is towed. He is found by hikers 20 years later. His phone is that Motorola flip that everyone had in 2005. His daughter visits him the hospital. Later they walk through the graveyard. In the very end she forgives him and we hope they work things out. I can play against the seriousness of their relationship with quick bits about what he expected to happen in 2005 versus what did happen.