Hi Mike.

Thank you for your thoughts.

Does the Dean’s daughter not get a say? It hasn’t been established that she falls for him too, so, in a post #MeToo era, I feel like it needs to be 100% clear that it’s mutual right from the start.

– – – Agreed. I thought someone would pick up on that. I think I just need to change the wording. It is mutual. Again – it’s an honour thing. He wants to show this antagonistic force/father-figure/mentor that he is more than just a troublemaker manchild. (To re-iterate – to turn himself into a gentleman/win his respect is far too subjective an action goal/intention. This makes me think he should win a rowing contest or something.)

I like the idea, I just feel like there needs to be more to it to make it stand out from the other similar 80s/80s style rom-coms.

– – – Agreed. It’s quite thin right now. Admittedly – I am going for something in that vein. (A bit silly but fun. Think REVENGE OF THE NERDS, BACK TO SCHOOL, OXFORD BLUES, etc.)

Maybe his goal could be to get accepted into an elite social club, not dissimilar to him joining a fraternity but it’s all posh stuff that they make him do. The preppy ex could be on the selection committee. The guy gets accepted in the end, but since films like this always need a positive message, once he’s accepted he finds out the uptight Dean did something similar to win over his wife’s father back in the day. The Dean then reconnects with his youth, telling this kid to be himself. The simple fact he was prepared to go to such lengths, and the same lengths he went to himself, shows just how much he cares about his daughter.

– – – Nice idea. Do you think college over prep/private school?

So… “must get accepted into an elite club in order to win the father’s respect” something like that. This could work.

More ideas for action goal/intention –
must get everyone in his party frat house to pass the final exam?

I might need to outline and come back.

Thanks for your thoughts.