Miami Screenplay Awards: final analysis of THE REAL THING (4 February 2020):

The Real Thing

"The Real Thing is a smart, well-written script with a strong premise that in some ways feels relevant to conversations happening today. It made me think of the cultural conversation around “incels”, but this script goes deeper into human connection and feels much more compassionate than that first impression could entail. It includes some complicated science fiction elements, but it’s still a fun, lighthearted story with a good sense of humor.

The comparison between Sarah and Sarah V is a good starting point for a conversation about what makes love “real”, and also dives into some of the ethics about emerging technologies. This premise also allows the script to examine the “manic pixie dream girl” trope, showing explicitly how much better it is to pursue the “real” thing. The script asks questions about what it means to be “perfect”, and specifically what it means to be someone’s “perfect” match. The conversation surrounding love, and what true love is, is very compelling.

Adam is a charming protagonist; he can be frustrating at times, but in a good way - it shows that despite his genius, he’s still human. Jack is a great sidekick for Adam, adding a lot of humor to the story - he’s a lech with a heart of gold. The real Sarah is also a wonderful character; she’s interesting, well-rounded, and her dialogue in particular is sharp and clever. The addition of Steve as Adam’s rival adds good stakes to the story. Adam and Sara’s families make them feel even more like real, grounded people. Overall, this is a really enjoyable, romantic script and a lot of fun to read."