About a year ago I read “The Godfather Notebook”, a collection of notes Francis Ford Coppola made while writing and directing “The Godfather”.? His technique for condensing the sprawling book down to a shooting script was to come up with a one word description of the theme.?? After wrestling with the book for weeks, the one word description he came up with was:

“Succession”

The Godfather was a story of a struggle to determine who would succeed Don Vito Corleone.

He wrote the word on an index card and taped it by his typewriter.? That index card was his North Star for navigating through the book, writing the script.

It’s a technique I’ve tried to adopted for my own projects.? Operative word: tried.? I can’t say I can summarize all my current projects in just one word.? But at least I’ve been able to summarize the overarching theme in 2-3 words.

Now then.? What do you consider to be a one word summary of your operative theme?? Or two?? Or three?

After reading your summary, the word that first came to my mind was “revenge”.? He wants revenge against a system that let the deviant creep get away. And then it occurred to me that a more emotionally compelling theme might be “redemption”.?? Yes, the system was flawed, but he could have, should have pushed harder.? However, he was a rookie he couldn’t pull rank; and he didn’t want to damage his prospects for promotion so he acquiesced to his superiors.? And so…

Anyway, just spitballing and trying to get a better focus on the plot.? It’s your story, of course.? Best wishes.

fwiw

BTW: Have you viewed Episode 3 of Prime Suspect, starring Hellen Mirren?? It’s about the cover up of a pedophile ring.? Strongly recommend, imho, one of best episodes in the widely acclaimed series.