Benjamin
Romantic comedy/Thriller
Written by Jon Osman & Sam Sherman
Location: Present day, New York City
- Logline-
‘During post 9/11 hysteria in New York City, Benjamin Haad, a 30 year-old struggling actor/cab driver, is caught between the love of his life, his old school Muslim parents and an ongoing FBI investigation that is targeting him as a member of an active terrorist cell, often with comedic results.’
- synopsis -
Benjamin Haad is a 30-year old native New Yorker. He drives a cab in post 9/11 New York City in order to support his obsession for acting, in spite of his Muslim parents’ demand for him to get a real job, get married and get a “life”. But Ben has no time for love and certainly no desire to look for it. He’s headed for Hollywood and nothing’s going to stop him. Enter Helen Clark, 28, beautiful, smart, and an aspiring photographer filled with a free spirit and a laissez-faire attitude. Ben finds her irresistible and their relationship rapidly blossoms into something wonderful.
Chaos ensues when we discover that Ben is under investigation by the F.B.I. who believes that he may be part of a terrorist sleeper cell that is planning an attack on the citizens of New York. Ben leads a confused group of agents on a merry chase through the streets of New York as they try to figure out if Ben is a brilliant terrorist or just a dumb shmuck trying to land a role in a Tom Cruise movie.
Ben and Helen’s relationship comes to an abrupt HALT when Helen’s father, a high-ranking retired General, warns her of Ben’s clandestine activities and spirits her away to a secret hiding place leaving the two lovers heart-broken. Helen questions the evidence, which seems irrefutable - or is it?
Is Ben a terrorist, a cab driver or just another wannabe actor who can’t see past his own cue cards?
All is revealed in a final, frenetic surprise ending.