Introduction
In the previous post, I introduced my original script, “Kharisma Heart of Gold” (KHOG), and the shock of discovering its theft in the movie “John Q.” Today, we will dive deeper into the similarities between the two works, which are too significant to ignore.
Scene-by-Scene Comparison
One of the most striking similarities is the major theme of a child being sent home to die due to lack of insurance. In KHOG, this heartbreaking scenario plays a central role. Similarly, in “John Q,” Denzel Washington’s character faces the same devastating reality.
Other scenes in “John Q” bear a strong resemblance to my script, including:
- The emotional breakdown of the wife, urging her husband to “do something.”
- The father considering trading his life to save his child’s.
- The detailed discussions about transferring the child to another hospital due to insurance issues.
Evidence of Plagiarism
Even the Illinois District Court acknowledged the similarities between the scripts. There were too many parallels for it to be a coincidence. This should have warranted a trial by jury to determine the extent of the copying.
The Impact
Seeing my story on the big screen without any credit or compensation was a painful experience. It wasn’t just about the financial loss but also the emotional toll of having my work and life experiences exploited.
In the next post, we will explore the legal battle that ensued and how the court system protected the industry rather than seeking justice.
