The Wrecker

FORMAT: Feature Film GENRE: Noir thriller. Think of this as a more accessible Cohen Brothers film. COMPARABLE FILMS: Blood Simple, Fargo, Blue Ruin The Wrecker Synopsis August 2022 Jack Hilkewich The owner of a small salvage yard a few hours outside of the big city, Lester, is in financial trouble. He is weeks away from bankruptcy and the price of salvaged metal is dismal. Not long after we meet Lester and Sheba, the good dog, a big city mobster shows up. His name is Norman. He offers Lester a long-term contract to salvage and dispose of a variety of materials. Norman tells him straight out that some of the stuff he needs to dispose of cannot be done through official channels. Lester hesitantly agrees to the terms. He needs the money even though he knows there is a catch. He just has to process the stuff and don't ask questions. Simple. Drivers will come with loads of junk; Lester then shreds it. Gets paid. The timing is perfect. Maybe too perfect? Things go really well. Money starts rolling in. Until Sheba, being the good dog she is, does what a good dog does, the right thing. She senses there is something in the trunk of a vehicle Lester is to shred. She insists Lester check it out. Turns out it is a little kitten, aww cute... and two body bags... complete with bodies, one of them still alive. Lester is a good person, not Sheba good but still a decent man. He takes the woman into his house and begins nursing her back to health. At the same time he realizes he has royally fucked himself over, BUT, he has a plan that will get them both out of trouble. As Lester puts the plan in motion he must deal with his eccentric dad/employee, Charlie, making sure he does not find out about the woman. The local police are getting noise complaints because of all the new salvage jobs so they’re poking around. Norman, Lester’s saviour: the one who wanted the woman dead, likes to show up unannounced with his favorite sandwiches from his favorite deli in the city. Just to make sure things are running smoothly. What is not running smoothly is his relationship with his business partner who also happens to be his brother. To top it all off the woman really wants to leave even though Lester keeps telling her that she cannot because someone wanted her dead. This is very stressful for Lester but all he needs is just a little bit of time and the plan will come to fruition. They’ll be home free. You know, in hindsight, he probably should have told the woman that he had a plan. Oh, by the way, her name is Erika and she is a tough cookie with plans of her own. One night she escapes the care of Lester- managing to kill one of Norman's favorite drivers along the way. Lester is now even more screwed. Just to make things more interesting, the woman in the trunk, Erika? Turns out she is... wait, I can't tell you that. It would spoil the whole film. You need to read the script. Trust me, you'll like it. Who knew the world of junk salvage was so exciting?