Home Movie

by Eric Mansfield

LOGLINE: Four adult children laugh hysterically when they find an old home movie with their parents' names on it, but what they first thought would be an embarrassing bedroom moment captured between their younger parents is instead a shocking revelation leaving each of them with a choice that could destroy their family forever.

OVERVIEW: The four adult children of the Porter family children are saying goodbye...

LOGLINE: Four adult children laugh hysterically when they find an old home movie with their parents' names on it, but what they first thought would be an embarrassing bedroom moment captured between their younger parents is instead a shocking revelation leaving each of them with a choice that could destroy their family forever.

OVERVIEW: The four adult children of the Porter family children are saying goodbye to their family home when they stumble onto an old family movie marked "private" with their parents' names on it. After embarrassing laughter and banter, the siblings opt to view the VHS expecting to see glimpses of their younger parents in the bedroom, but instead, they are left speechless as their father has filmed himself admitting to a serious crime committed to supporting the family during tough financial times.

With their father due to arrive in less than an hour, the four face an impossible decision - confront their dad and maybe even turn him in to the police, leaving them to care for their mother, or make a pact on the spot to keep the family secret knowing that other lives were destroyed by what their parents had done to pay the bills.

**A sample of the first 20 pages, which takes the audience up through the inciting incident, is available here for review. Please contact the playwright if interested in reviewing the entire play.

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Home Movie

Recommended by

  • Maripat Allen: Home Movie by Eric Mansfield
    “

    What a thought provoking, entertaining play about an almost impossibly difficult moral dilemma! This family is so real and so endearing it may be the family you always wish you had--until it's not. Taking you through a gamut of emotions it asks what you would do. No doubt audience members will have very different answers to that question, and there will certainly be lively discussion afterward. This play can't help but intensely engage audiences, and leave them thinking long after the curtain goes down. I would LOVE to see it!

    What a thought provoking, entertaining play about an almost impossibly difficult moral dilemma! This family is so real and so endearing it may be the family you always wish you had--until it's not. Taking you through a gamut of emotions it asks what you would do. No doubt audience members will have very different answers to that question, and there will certainly be lively discussion afterward. This play can't help but intensely engage audiences, and leave them thinking long after the curtain goes down. I would LOVE to see it!

    ”
FRANK PORTER - Early 60's, Husband and devoted father of four. He supported his family working as a butcher at the local grocery store while committed to his children and his wife, Suzanne, who has recently been diagnosed with dementia.


TOM -- 38. Frank's oldest son and named after Frank’s late brother. Tom inherited Frank's leadership abilities and athleticism. A high school class president and star quarterback, Tom zoomed through college and med school with Frank cheering him on. He idolizes Frank as his hero.


MATT -- 36. Second Son. An intellectual and introvert who raced soap box derby cars he built with Frank in the garage. Matt went to college and became a journalist thanks to Frank encouraging Jack to follow his passion to be a writer.


JACK-- 34. Third Son. Class clown and all-around smart aleck. His quick wit, similar to Frank's, has served him well climbing the ranks as a hot shot young attorney.


CAROL -- 29. Youngest child and the only daughter. She was the “oops” baby so her brothers teasingly call her "Oopsie," but Frank was so glad to finally have a daughter. Carol had Broadway dreams but now she teaches theatre in the local schools. She is 8.5 months pregnant.

Optional: An additional actor can be recorded on the home movie as the younger version of Frank, or a production may use one of the existing actors for the recorded flashback.

Development History

Production History

  • Professional, Convergence Continuum, Cleveland, OH, 2023