Amazing Grace

Amazing Grace
a feature film screenplay by Bridget Palmer & Win Meyerson

​​Logline: An orphaned African-American teen on the Gulf Coast channels her pain into rap music and environmentalism, fighting the plastics industry to save local wildlife before it is too late.

SYNOPSIS:
Grace, a bright-eyed five-year-old, becomes an orphan in a Gulf Coast hurricane. Forced to navigate her way through a series of foster homes, she is misunderstood and bullied.

At age ten, Grace meets Fred, an old hippie. He teaches her to respect nature and to recycle for cash. Using the money she earns, Grace buys a bus ticket to escape her situation.
A social worker intercepts her at the bus stop and realizes that Grace needs help. She arranges for Grace to live with Daisy, a wildlife rescuer. At the rescue center, Grace witnesses a sea turtle die from eating a plastic straw. She protests against single-use plastics in the school cafeteria. As a result, she is threatened with suspension and separation from Daisy.

In high school, Grace attracts a following as a rap artist and activist. When a plastics company, Chem Boss, declares themselves champions of “Earth Day,” Grace and her friends see right through it. Grace defiantly upstages the emcee, Cash Wheaton, son of Chem Boss CEO, Nate Wheaton. Cash turns the crowd against Grace and a TV crew broadcasts the confrontation on the national news.

Grace escapes to the beach, where strong surf overwhelms her. She has a panic attack and almost drowns, but Cash, surfing nearby, saves her life. The Earth Day news story frightens Daisy, and she has a meltdown and yells at Grace. Grace runs away and lives on the streets until Fred and Daisy track her down.

Grace organizes a hip-hop flash mob to disrupt Chem Boss’s shareholder meeting. Enraged, Nate Wheaton confronts Grace and ends up falling off the stage. Up close, he recognizes Grace as the girl he rescued in the hurricane ten years ago. Cash takes Nate to the hospital and Grace is arrested.

Grace’s flash mob makes national news, causing Chem Boss stock to tank. Hoping to restore his company’s reputation, Nate drops his charges against Grace and sets up a meeting in his hospital room.

Nate reveals his role as Grace’s savior. Cash, Nate, and Grace discover a connection none of them had imagined. The three realize the best way forward is together.
Inspired by Grace, Nate retools Chem Boss, creating a green business with sustainable products. The community gathers for a joyous Earth Day beach cleanup.

CONTACT: bridgetpalmer@me.com, win9393@me.com