River Sees Red

LOGLINE: A run-of-the-mill fight for the troubled boxer, River Diaz, turns transformative when he's forced to question the loyalty of his inner circle and the deep underlying reason why he’s a fighter.

GENRE: Boxing/Coming-of-age

SYNOPSIS: River Diaz (27) unleashes a profane verbal assault on his opponent Dino Rossi at the pre-fight press conference. River doesn't only go after Dino, but the media, as well—exposing the hypocrisy of them using his antics for views, yet, criticizing him in the same breath. (opening image and introduction to protagonists)

After the press conference, River, his manager Scott, and his longtime girlfriend Evee wait for the rest of his crew (Angel, Benji, and Luca) to pick them up. On the drive, Angel mentions to River that he booked a club appearance for him that night. Once home, River and Evee have a slight dispute as Evee expresses her displeasure with the club appearances. (Inciting Incident)

The next morning, River is at his gym, Roselake Boxing Club. It is sparring day, and we see River’s fighting style—he can fight with movement, but the moment he gets hit, he is looking for blood, plants his feet into the ground, and throws with bad intentions. Carlito (River’s father) is River’s trainer but at no point provides him with any instruction. Benji plays more of a trainer role, but River runs his camp. After the sparring, Scott and Evee had set up a meeting with prolific trainer Mickey Lore. River attends, visits the gym, agrees to spar later in the week, but after the meeting assures both Scott and Evee that his trainer is his father, and before he ever steps foot in that gym again, they both need to understand that. 

The film then cuts to a flashback of River when he was eight years old. Carlito and River’s mother, Lexi, have an argument over River boxing which results in the death of Lexi. (Break into 2)

River spars against one of Mickey’s fighters. Evee tells Mickey that what River needs in his career is a trainer like him in his corner. The intrigue of River’s fight is growing as his press conference outburst goes viral.

During fight week, Angel has been given the “okay” from River to book a club appearance in Vegas, much to Evee's dismay. On the car ride, Evee and Angel have an explosive argument over the club appearance. (Midpoint)

At the club, Angel invites Dino Rossi fans to their table, and a brawl breaks out. Carlito and Luca get River away from it all, but Benji knocks out a guy cold and spends the night in jail. 

At the final press conference, before the fight River is questioned heavily about the incident the night prior. A savvy reporter asks Angel for an interview and he tells the story of River’s mother's death.

River is struggling to lose weight, and during his cut, he watches the interview Angel did with the reporter. River attacks Angel and kicks him off the team. Angel leaves but not before calling out Evee and Scott for plotting behind River's back for trying to recruit Mickey Lore. The fallout has affected River and his weight cut and he needs to dig deep in order for the fight to go on. (Lowpoint and Break into 3)

The fight has transformed into a mainstream event. River is dragged into deep waters, and only until he fights like the smooth boxer instead of a brawler does he begin to take the fight over. The film ends with River emotionally telling his father, “Dad, I’ve been looking back on my life, my career, and everything you ever taught me—I’ll always remember. I love you.” The bell rings, and River walks to the center of the ring to finish the fight off.  (Climax/Resolution)