I feel like the ex-con thing is irrelevant to the plot. It just feels like something that explains his absence but after his return home, it’s somewhat redundant. In previous versions, you said he was a litterbug – I thought this was stronger. I almost feel like it’s a cliche for ex-cons to have estranged children. If she was pissed off with her father because of his criminal activity, picking up some rubbish doesn’t show that he’s changed, so why should it change her opinion of him. Cleaning up the town should change the thing that has led to his daughter’s estrangement.

Couldn’t he be the boss at a huge international company that is in the news (in the world of the film) for polluting, chemical spills, general unenvironmentally friendly activities or whatever? Or just a lazy guy who thinks recycling is for hippies?

I feel like there needs to be a ticking clock. He needs a deadline. Maybe he’s terminal and the only thing he has is a reputation for being a litterbug, or a polluter, etc etc. Or he’s been convicted of a crime and is heading to prison but decides to clean up the town beforehand.

There’s something in this idea, I’m just not sure it’s there yet. Hope this all makes sense and is helpful in some way.