Gentlemen Broncos 2009
Directed by
Jared Hess
Made by
Fox Searchlight Pictures
Plot Summary
Discover the intricate plot of Gentlemen Broncos (2009). From unexpected twists to emotional highs and lows, this detailed summary breaks down every moment to give you a deeper understanding of the film’s story.
Benjamin Purvis lives with his single mother, Judith, who shows a unique flair for creating both unconventional fashion and rock-hard popcorn balls. Together, they manage a women’s retail clothing shop, grappling with the challenges of style and business. In his leisure time, Benjamin immerses himself in the art of writing science fiction, recently completing a story titled Yeast Lords, featuring the heroic Bronco, inspired by his late father. As the narrative unfolds, readers are treated to Benjamin’s creative visions that depict Bronco’s tenacious battle against a nefarious foe, where mysteries of yeast production loom large.
During a weekend retreat for burgeoning fantasy and science fiction writers, Benjamin finds himself starstruck by his literary idol, the renowned yet pompous author Ronald Chevalier. The atmosphere intensifies when Chevalier announces a competition, promising national publication for the best story, igniting excitement among the attendees. Spurred on by fellow participant Tabatha, Benjamin submits Yeast Lords, which unexpectedly catches the attention of Lonnie Donaho’s low-budget film production company. This partnership results in a post-dated check of $500 and a chance for Benjamin’s story to evolve beyond its written confines.
As Chevalier sifts through the entries from the retreat, he is dealt a crushing blow by his publisher, who rejects his latest manuscript. In his desperation, he stumbles upon Yeast Lords and becomes engrossed in the narrative. Drawing inspiration, he transforms Bronco into Brutus, an over-the-top flamboyant hero, while also renaming characters and changing the title to Brutus and Balzaak. His publisher receives the reimagined story with enthusiasm, rushing it into production.
Simultaneously, as Benjamin’s original Yeast Lords begins to materialize in Donaho’s film, he grows increasingly disillusioned with the adaptation and decides to leave the screening with Tabatha. Their exit marks a pivotal moment that will plunge Benjamin into a whirlwind of realizations regarding creativity. A serendipitous visit to a bookstore leads him to a shocking revelation: Chevalier’s Brutus and Balzaak contains striking similarities to his work, suggesting blatant plagiarism.
Fuming over this betrayal, Benjamin confronts Chevalier at a book signing, but is swiftly interrupted when two police officers remove him from the scene. As he is taken away, the stability of his world begins to deteriorate, prompting a profound reassessment of his views on originality and the ruthless nature of the literary landscape.
Amid this chaos, Judith visits her son in a dismal jail cell, her heart heavy with concern as she meets his gaze filled with remorse. But rather than offering mere words of sympathy, she arrives with a meaningful gift: a box brimming with manuscripts, each officially recognized by the Writers Guild of America. The gravity of this gesture is not lost on Benjamin; he knows how hard Judith has worked to preserve his writing legacy.
With a blend of nostalgia and foresight, Judith shares that she’s been registering his stories since he was just seven, with the hope that they would one day belong to his future children. As she speaks, it becomes clear how significant her efforts have been—not only to protect his creativity but also to ensure its lasting value. Therefore, when Chevalier’s deceit is uncovered, leading to the withdrawal of Brutus and Balzaak from shelves, it is Yeast Lords that emerges, poised to claim the spotlight in the aftermath of the scandal.
Timeline
Track the key events of Gentlemen Broncos (2009) with a comprehensive timeline. Perfect for understanding the sequence of major plot points, this feature offers clarity on how the story unfolds.
Benjamin's Prolific Environment
Benjamin Purvis resides with his single mother, Judith, in their cozy home. Together, they run a women's retail clothing shop, where Judith's unique fashion sense and culinary skills flourish, particularly in creating deliciously hard popcorn balls.
Benjamin's Creative Outlet
In his free time, Benjamin passionately explores his love for writing science fiction. He successfully completes a story called *Yeast Lords*, inspired by his late father's heroism, featuring the character Bronco battling a formidable foe.
The Weekend Retreat
Benjamin attends a weekend retreat specifically for aspiring fantasy and science fiction writers. It is here that he encounters his idol, the famous but arrogant author Ronald Chevalier, which creates a starstruck moment for the young writer.
The Competition Announcement
During the retreat, Chevalier announces a competition that promises national publication for the best story submitted. Excitement fills the room, and spurred on by fellow participant Tabatha, Benjamin decides to enter his story, *Yeast Lords*.
Unexpected Interest from Donaho
Much to Benjamin's surprise, *Yeast Lords* catches the eye of Lonnie Donaho, who runs a low-budget film production company. This unexpected attention leads to a short financial partnership, marking a significant turning point in Benjamin's creative journey.
Chevalier's Fall from Grace
As Chevalier reviews the competition entries, he faces a crushing rejection from his publisher regarding his recent manuscript. This moment of desperation leads him to discover Benjamin's *Yeast Lords*, prompting a creative transformation.
Transformation of the Story
Chevalier, inspired by *Yeast Lords*, decides to reimagine the narrative, changing the title to *Brutus and Balzaak* and transforming the protagonist into a flamboyant hero. His publisher eagerly embraces the new version, rushing it into production.
Disillusionment with the Adaptation
As the adaptation of *Yeast Lords* begins to take shape, Benjamin starts feeling disillusioned with the changes being made to his original story. He chooses to exit a screening with Tabatha, marking the start of his internal conflict about his creative vision.
A Shocking Discovery
While browsing through a bookstore, Benjamin comes across Chevalier's *Brutus and Balzaak*. He is shocked to find numerous similarities to his original work, revealing a disturbing instance of plagiarism that shakes his faith in the industry.
Confrontation at the Signing
Enraged by the betrayal, Benjamin confronts Chevalier during a book signing event, voicing his accusations. However, his confrontation is quickly cut short as he is escorted away by two police officers, escalating his feelings of helplessness.
Judith's Concern and Support
In the wake of her son's turmoil, Judith visits Benjamin in jail, where her heart is heavy with concern. In a touching gesture, she presents him with a box of his manuscripts, showcasing her unwavering belief in his talent and the importance of his legacy.
A Mother's Determination
Judith reveals that she has been registering Benjamin's stories since he was seven years old, preserving them for his future. This heartfelt conversation emphasizes her dedication to protecting his creativity and ensures that it will endure for generations.
The Scandal Unfolds
As the truth about Chevalier's plagiarism begins to surface, the literary world reacts, leading to a significant fallout. In the resulting chaos, *Brutus and Balzaak* is pulled from shelves, while Benjamin's original story *Yeast Lords* starts to gain newfound attention.
Emergence of *Yeast Lords*
With the scandal surrounding Chevalier's actions, Benjamin's story is poised to reclaim the spotlight. Finally recognized for its originality, *Yeast Lords* stands on the brink of the success that Benjamin has long envisioned, representing the culmination of his creative struggles.
Characters
Meet the characters that bring Gentlemen Broncos (2009) to life. Dive into detailed profiles of the cast and their roles, exploring their motivations, relationships, and arcs within the story.
Benjamin Purvis
Benjamin is a passionate young writer grappling with the complexities of originality in his work. His journey through self-discovery highlights his frustrations and aspirations, culminating in a profound realization about his creative identity. Love for storytelling and the desire for recognition drive him forward despite setbacks.
Ronald Chevalier
Ronald Chevalier is portrayed as a pompous and self-absorbed author who embodies the darker side of the literary world. His transformation of Benjamin's story into his own reflects the cutthroat environment that can exist within creative industries. His character serves as a cautionary tale about pride and the consequences of intellectual dishonesty.
Judith Purvis
Judith is Benjamin's devoted single mother, who supports her son's ambitions while managing a retail business. Her nurturing nature shines through her actions, especially when she brings manuscripts to Benjamin during his time of crisis, demonstrating her dedication to preserving his legacy. She represents unwavering familial love and support.
Setting
Uncover the settings of Gentlemen Broncos (2009), from iconic locations to the time period that shapes its world. See how these elements add depth and context to the movie’s narrative.
Time period
The story unfolds in contemporary times, showcasing the struggles of aspiring writers within the modern literary landscape. Themes of creativity and originality are echoed throughout, reflecting current societal dynamics around art and its appropriation.
Location
Bookstore, Women's Retail Clothing Shop, Jail Cell
The film takes place across various locations including a women's retail clothing shop where Benjamin and his mother work. The bookstore serves as a pivotal setting for Benjamin's realizations regarding originality in literature. Additionally, the jail cell symbolizes the dire consequences of his confrontations within the literary world.
Themes
Explore the core themes of Gentlemen Broncos (2009). From its commentary on social issues to its emotional undertones, delve into the deeper messages woven into the film’s story.
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Creativity
The film explores the intricacies of creativity, particularly how original ideas can be transformed or appropriated by others. Benjamin's journey reveals the challenges faced by artists in protecting their work and the emotional toll of creativity within a competitive environment.
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Betrayal
Betrayal plays a pivotal role as Benjamin confronts the literary idol he once admired, only to find his thoughts have been plagiarized. This theme highlights the ruthless nature of the literary world, where trust and loyalty can easily be broken.
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Family Support
The bond between Benjamin and his mother, Judith, is central to the story. Her unwavering support through difficult times emphasizes the importance of familial connections in nurturing and protecting one's creative legacy, regardless of external challenges.
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