The day after 911, middle-aged screenwriter Douglas Leigh faces the unfamiliar pressure of rewriting “Target Locked” -- the latest from the outrageously successful Berserker action franchise -- into a musical comedy.
Rewrite means balancing the insecurities of Anthony Fergus, the non-singing, non-dancing action star who portrays Berserker with… the ambitions of Rita Santiago, his driven, voluptuous, and very musical Mexican co-star.
Rewrite also means Douglas must deal with Spike Ritts, the ridiculously young and ambitious sleek black studio executive; Max Stern, the Berserker franchise producer, Douglas’ long time business partner and perhaps, only true friend; and Harper Lee, inscrutable and talented Hong Kong director/cinematographer.
On top of that, Douglas’ teenage daughter, Amanda, is missing somewhere on the other side of a precarious world seem bent on war and that’s got he and his former wife talking.
It’s no surprise that Douglas’ “single malt” consumption is in danger of getting the upper hand.
Unable toget even beyond the title page for “Enchanted Evening,” Douglas is forcibly introduced to his new writing partner, Dana Karachi, a youthful ringer raised on Bollywood films.
Douglas belittles and ignores her, then refuses to collaborate but Spike confines him and Dana to a run-down motel until they deliver.
Reluctantly, grudgingly, Douglas and Dana learn to marry styles, personalities and music as they write “Enchanted Evening.”
Meanwhile, Anthony takes his first dance lesson … ever. Rita makes horizontal career moves on Anthony and then his female agent. Spike and Harper smoke expensive Havanas and make back-room deals while Max tries to remain calm playing high stakes golf.
Douglas struggles with his drinking and discovers tender new feelings for Dana when Bollywood star Kaspar Jivan serenades her at a surprise curry dinner delivered by Dana’s mother and family.
Immersed in the fantasy world of “Enchanted Evening,” Douglas and Dana find each other, respect each other, fuck each other.
And when rehearsal for “Enchanted Evening” begins they are excited, even inspired until… Spike drops a bomb -- seems the viewing public is back to its old violent habits so -- back to “Target Locked.”
Now it’s up to Douglas whether Dana has a job. Kaspar offers her a giant emerald ring,
Bollywood on a platter and an arranged marriage. Douglas returns to the bottle and the old “Berserker” script except that now, neither satisfies him. He hits bottom.
From the ashes, a shaky and newly sober Douglas realizes that Berserker must grow up and take responsibility for the world he walks through.
Douglas mends fences with his daughter, Amanda; braves Kaspar’s wrath to convince Dana to help him clandestinely write and incorporate a hip-hop/tango production number from “Enchanted Evening” into “Target Locked.”
Together, they set about enlisting Max, Harper, Rita and Anthony to film the scene behind Spike’s back.
But Spike isn’t fooled… To test audience response to the kindler, gentler Berserker, Spike slips the just-shot musical scene at a raucous “Berserker Marathon.”
Amidst audience boos and catcalls for their lost American hero, Douglas loses confidence, Dana hopes she fails up and Spike knows the old Berserker is what America wants.
Even worse, Douglas fears that Dana has betrayed him… and Max to Spike. And the lovely starlet, Rita reduces Anthony to a simpering mess on the lobby floor.
Then the audience turns and embraces the new Berserker.
Douglas, Dana, Max, and Harper have created a new genre. Anthony has a renewed career as a romantic lead; Rita’s on her way to the top. Spike reaffirms that he’s the one to watch. And Douglas wants Dana to choose between him and Kaspar.
