The front of the manuscript says “An original work based on a true story.” The story is about Berry Gordy, a man who served in the military, failed as a boxer, a record store owner, and in other endeavors, but dreams of making it big in the record business. He goes after his dream but encounters many disappointments along the way. Once he starts adding some real talent and producing records, he deals with being cheated out of royalties. However, he hangs in there and is involved in the birth of Motown, the great record company and historical time which produced artists Diana Ross, Smoky Robinson, Marvin Gaye, and many other great talents.
Mr. McMillian Jr. is a talent himself, having written a literate and interesting screenplay. I finished the 164 page manuscript in slightly over two hours of straight-through reading time. There is some humor included, for example a scene which involves Stevie Wonder. Wonder, who of course is blind, is about to speak with three women he knows. He asks a friend what they are wearing and when he talks with them he compliments them all on their attire. They are amazed and believe he can now see! Wonder and his friend share a good laugh over the inside joke.
The screenplay is dramatic and features a female character who endures several miscarriages, a man who has two women leave him, and the great pain of losing someone to death. The script includes some strong language, but comes in at a level two in our rating. Had it been a level three, it could not have received our Dove “Family-Approved” Seal. As it is, it is a well written story but parents will need to look at the content listed below to determine if they want their children ages twelve and above to read the story. The time period, including a flashback scene, covers the late 40s to 1969 and winds up by mentioning Billy Davis and Michael Jackson.
This script takes you back to the fifties and sixties and includes the reader in the news of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. It is a gritty story but reflects realistically the time period which it covers. We gladly award our Dove “Family-Approved” Seal to “Reflections of a Motor City”. Let this script take you back!
