I haven't thought it out much, but my basic idea for the screenplay is for it to be about a guy, E, who seeks to understand the world through intellectual pursuits. However, the more he does this the more depressed he becomes. One night in his late 20s, at the height of his suicidal depression, he has a spiritual experience which transforms him on an extremely deep level. The next day he wakes up and everything is new to him. Everything is beautiful. He is in a state of complete and unshakable bliss. His ego has died, and he is enlightened. He walks outside and sits on a park bench and soaks in life.
E is in such a state of bliss that he stops caring about his life situation completely. Over the next few months his previous life completely falls apart. He loses all his friendships. He loses his job. And he loses his housing - all the while in a state of complete bliss. Eventually he finds himself sitting alone on park benches, living on food and money provided by passer-bys. For two years he lives like this, with a smile on his face, until one day someone stops and asks him a question. Eventually more people come and ask him more questions. Some are turned off by his answers, but some are enlightened by them. People offer to pay him to hold private talks in their living rooms. His life situation starts picking back up again. From the ground up, he builds a new life for himself. He starts writing a book, a practical guide to enlightenment. When it is published he becomes an international sensation. He starts giving talks to stadiums full of people. He gains millions of followers.
Suddenly, E's ego kicks back in. He becomes caught up in his new-found fame and influence that he goes on a power trip. His following starts to resemble an organized religious cult, on a quest to "save the world". Some of his followers leave him but the rest remain blindly loyal. He fancies himself a messiah. He loses his enlightenment. His past problems come back to haunt him. At the height of his power, the climax of the film, everything finally falls apart at the seams.
After the collapse is complete, E regains his enlightenment and lives out a humble life as a hermit.
And that's the overall idea. Of course there will be embellishments and subplots in the form of love interests, antagonists, and other supporting characters. Overall, I could see this being a pretty engaging dramady.
(I see very much potential for hilarious moments!)I'd like to know your guys' thoughts and/or ideas. I think the film has great potential to expose ego and explain enlightenment realistically while still being entertaining.
(Also, does anyone here know the legal aspects of writing a story based on someone's life?)
