As a writer, she has inspired me to come back to a screenplay I wrote circa 2002. I always dreamed of who might play the lead role in my film -- and I could not come up with a better idea than Susan Sarandon. She would have been good -- but not quite right. An unknown was my first choice back then, so there would be no one having to look past the celebrity to see the character. No problem with Vera. She is a character actress who moves so deeply into her roles that celebrity doesn't factor into them. I love that. Vera Farmiga would be perfect. She's got the acting chops and I know her well enough (from my lowly position as ardent fan) that she would without a doubt fancy the role.
So here is the logline for my screenplay, Modern Persecution:
Committed to an insane asylum by her reverend husband, a mother of five must dig deep within to survive -- and escape. Based on a true story.
She'd love it. I know that, especially because her creative baby, Higher Ground, has such parallels.
So, it's a nice fantasy. I'll keep dreaming it. I'll keep writing because that's a compulsion. And finally, I'll hope that someday the entry fee into one of these screenwriting contests will pay off with a little attention from someone solid in the business.