SCREENPLAYS

"Upon gaining access to a sovereign fund containing billions of dollars, an awkward social-climber has to siphon as much money as he can, using brilliant and complicated financial structures, before the authorities close in."

​​

Genre: Drama

​

1st place Table Read My Screenplay Genre Competition 2021

Network ISA Pitch finalist

Quarterfinalist CineStory Feature Fellowship

Breakthrough Reading Series

​

Jho Low's greatest strengths lie in its structure, character and dialogue. The innovative use of real-time storytelling and breaking the story into three core scenes helps it stand out within a crowded genre. The characters all really fly off the page. They’re complex and they’re reacting emotionally to each other as the writing voice is nothing short of strong from start to finish. The dialogue is also a highlight, making the financial vocabulary accessible to a mainstream audience. There's a strong use of set-ups and pay-offs between the three time periods shown throughout the script. The writer is adept at juggling tone: the drama and comedy bounce off each other nicely, and unexpected emotion pops up in these moments. The reader is always able to clearly track how the writing evokes a consistent emotional response - the mark of a writer who understands how to pull the reader's heartstrings. Jho Low checks many of the boxes that executives and producers will be looking for in a project of this nature. The writer does a great job of adding something new to the conversation within genre rather than overly relying upon themes that have previously been explored in past projects. With the right team in place and strong execution throughout the production process, look for the film to land on the international film festival circuit before being discovered by a more widespread audience via the likes of a streaming service like Amazon or HBO Max." The Black List

​

"An interesting premise to have the three acts set up at the initiation, height and downfall. It’s a clear way to show the full arc of JHO LOW’s story while inviting the promise of three striking and distinct settings with opportunity for elaborate visuals. The real-time pacing is similarly a strong stylistic choice, pulling us into JHO LOW’s violently whip smart cadence, and showing us just how easy it is to fall into his web of schemes. His relationship with MIN is the heart of the story, the only one person who perhaps truly cares for JHO LOW, and the betrayal she endures in the final act is predictable, but still heartbreaking. The repeated beats of RORO’s incompetence and JHO LOW’s fascination with Basquiat paintings worked well to highlight JHO LOW’s obsession with perfection and status no matter the consequences or even the outcomes. The Crystal chandelier centerpiece and the big screening of NAJIB’s election work well for the first two parties to show the turning of the tides for JHO LOW in a striking visual way. ELVA works effectively as a literal embodiment of what JHO LOW is always striving for: to be accepted, adored, and loved, and her small asides in all three parties are often a highlight, punctuating JHO LOW’s ego and manic energy." The Black List

​

"This script is grounded in a fascinating premise that's been ripped from the headlines. Jho is an ambitious, clever, and solipsistic figure. Through various machinations, he's gotten access to a sovereign wealth fund. He's using that access to steal untold sums of money and fund Hollywood movies and a lavish lifestyle and bribe everyone he can. It's a wild hook built on real-world events that begs to be explored. While the plot itself doesn't always deliver, there are some moments that really stick with the reader. It's oddly touching when Jho is unhappy about turning thirty despite his outward success. Later on, the Basquiat painting splashing in the pool is a strong image. The ending is also absolutely fabulous. After all that crime, Jho simply disappears into a crowd. It's perfectly fitting. The script can at times also be hilarious. At one point, Jho says he can't live on the yacht because the internet is pretty bad. Later on, Jho dresses Tim down, telling him his PhD is from diploma mill. The comedy adds a lot of personality to the script." The Black List

​

"JHO-LOW is a fast-paced and quirky dark comedy/dramedy satire that takes aim at the world of high finance and the upper elite by following the exploits of Jho Low, a mysterious, flamboyant and wealthy Malaysian businessman who pulls off a series of cons in order to fund The Wolf of Wall Street movie. The premise is fantastic - the fact that it's based on a true story makes this a story truly worth telling, and the way in which the story is set up makes it seem too wild to be true, which only adds to its appeal. The fact that Jho swindles the money and funds an Oscar-winning film about a swindler is thematic gold. The justifications provided by Jho for his behavior gives great insight into his mindset and the script also does well to provide a satirical look at the mindset of the players in the world of high finance. The way the story is devised as three parties following Jho Low in a walk and talk with no cutting is an interesting choice which keeps the pace quick and lends to the quirky appeal." The Black List

​

"This is a powerful and compelling premise for a crime/drama feature, and Jho Low has some major strengths as the protagonist. The opening party is a rock solid introduction to this premise, as we see Jho Low's continual superficial interests come to life. The running bit about him wanting the champagne to turn over exactly the way that he pictures it is hilarious, and it adds some suspense to the story (even outside of the building conversations about the fraud/plan). The way that artwork is used in this project is outstanding, and that beat when the Basquait gets wet is just one example of this. The relationship between Min and Jho Low is a standout strength in this project. Their dialogue together proves to be some of the best conversational work in this project. A key example: when they're having their final exchange after Jho Low starts to make moves to go on the run (and is fully exposed). The Eric Tan twist/reveal is a well executed detail in this world. There are strengths to the subplot that develops between Jho Low and Elva, and the proposal ends up being one of the most climactic and exciting sequences in the project. The reversal where she turns him down is a strong beat in the project. The news that Najib has been defeated is another very memorable and effective turning point in the premise/plot." The Black List

​​

"The first scene of this script, where the characters are trying to figure out if the champagne bottle contraption works, was one of the most interesting and unique opening scenes I've read in a while. It immediately sets up our characters, their social class, and what is important to them. It's also the sort of set-up that immediately would get a viewer, or in my case reader, interested. Great job on that! This work reminds me of Aaron Sorkin's work in The Social Network and Jobs, and the HBO Succession, so you're off to a great start!" Austin Harris (Lincoln Square)

​

"The pace is good, with an almost equal amount of script time devoted to each part of the 1MDB scandal’s lifecycle. The tone walks a compelling line between suspense and comedy, contrasting the amusing outrageousness of both Jho Low and his famous parties with a creeping dread that builds as the house of cards he’s built begins to topple." BlueCat Screenplay

​

​