The Juggler
The naïve American accountant Jens Nielsen takes an investigation job in England, tasked with gathering evidence against the prolific and cunning John Henderson, a credit card fraud master who draws Jens into his addicting world of wealth and power.
“The ease of stealing £5,000,000.
Just don’t get caught!”
Screenplay by Chris Trowell
Short Synopsis: The Juggler
A downtrodden American Dane, JENS NIELSEN, takes an opportunity in London to help financially stabilise his parents following a messy divorce and costly failed job. Up against it, JENS is forced by GILLAM head of a fraud investigation company to infiltrate the organisation of JOHN HENDERSON, a man suspected of massive, fraudulent credit card activity.
After making contact, JENS quickly befriends JOHN and is invited to work on a probationary period at his company in Manchester. JOHN teaches JENS many lessons in the ways he succeeds with his credit card scheme, how to live and most importantly, ‘never fuck your friends.’
JENS quickly learns how fast and loose JOHN acts with women, alcohol, and money, but also how clever and evasive he is with his business. JOHN enjoys JENS’ company and provides him endless opportunities, setting him up with an apartment, car, and new tailoring as a good will gesture.
Through all this excess, JENS starts to lose sight as to why he is in Manchester. GILLAM tries to act as a consistent reminder, but JENS disregards her the more she tries; JENS attempts to learn more about JOHN’s ways but enjoys the partying too much.
JENS starts a relationship with SARAH, JOHN’s ex, during which the two fall in love. After some time, JENS decides he has had enough of JOHN and GILLAM’s investigation. JENS enrols SARAH on a scheme to make a lot of money off JOHN’s keyman and life insurance policies, by faking JOHN’s death and blackmailing him with his crimes to stay quiet.
All seems to be going well until the morning after JENS and SARAH’s wedding when the plot twists and turns much to the demise of Jens. Sadly forgotten, the first lesson JOHN taught him: ‘Never fuck your friends’.
‘An investigative thriller where the protagonist becomes… worse than his prey’
History
In the Summer of 2000, I was offered a contract with ‘Evolution films’ to make my film. In 2001 it was decided that ‘Midsummer Productions’ would handle the filming. At the time I was offered a gross budget of £15,000,000 (Still have the offer letter framed!) of which £3,000,000 would be the working budget with the remaining twelve being deferred payments. Fantastic!! My film was going to be made and they would use key actors. Then 9/11… the whole of the film industry suffered a massive hiccup and then our wonderful British government withdrew the tax allowance for individuals investing in films. ‘Evolution’ closed down and my film remained on a shelf for twenty years.
Whilst visiting Copenhagen in 2019 I met with a Danish actor ‘Magnus Bruun’ he read and loved the script and persuaded me to update it. He has spent a great deal time on making suggestions and even helping with the many re-writes .
It has been read by several professional readers, courtesy of ‘Illustrious Media’ who have committed to come on board as one of the producers once we have a Director and casting in place. They have great connections in Bucharest both with studios and also negotiating tax credits.
I should add that we received a coveted ‘RECOMMEND’ from one of the professional readers.