JON

Synopsis

JON is a rites-of-passage film which explores the world of JON ADAMS; an aggressive working class lad whose life is transformed by meeting his grandfather again after being incarcerated in a succession of oppressive children's homes for 10 years. 

After he is banned from his last children's home for trying to kill one of the staff, he decides to find his grandfather, a man he had worshipped as a child, but who he now thinks abandoned him. He is angry enough to kill him, but when he meets BILL WHITING, he discovers the perfect foil for his aggression. Gradually, Bill helps Jon to calm down and teaches him to love words as much as he does. But DORIS, Jon's grandmother doesn't want him in the house – she knows he's still violent.

As if to prove her right, one traumatic night Jon verbally abuses his grandfather for his neglect of him in the past. Bill, who has been ill for many months, without telling Jon, has a heart attack and is rushed to hospital. They are both distraught by Bill's illness, but Jon also wants answers: why was he put in a home? Doris doesn't have the courage to tell him. At the hospital Jon meets the mother he hasn't seen for 10 years. It is an explosive meeting. However, ALICE feels terrible guilt for her neglect of Jon and when Jon is traumatized by Bill's death, she asks him to live with her new family. But she's 10 years too late. It is a disaster; she's married to a wealthy American and has two more children - Jon doesn't fit in with their life-style at all. She also tells Jon that it was his grandfather who had him put in a home. Jon is stunned.

He disappears by losing himself in an anonymous squat in London where he meets 3 odd-balls; one of whom tell him he could survive through a life of crime.  However, on his first burglary, an elderly man confronts them with his old army revolver, telling them that the police are coming.  They all panic and suddenly, Jon realizes if  he goes back with them his life is doomed. He doesn't. He finds the courage to go and see his grandmother, still thinking that she'll blame him for his grandfather's death, but wanting answers. She tells him she did blame him, but after reading a letter Bill wrote to Jon, she realizes that she caused a lot of problems. She apologizes and tells him two things which have a deep impact on him: how much his grandfather loved him and how much she would like him to live with her. The real reason why Jon was put in a home lies in the letter. 

As reads the letter he realizes that it wasn't his grandfather's fault at all; he was trying to protect him, but it back-fired.  The letter explains why he was put in the children's home in the first place. It was all a mistake, Bill tells him.  At last, Jon can forgive his grandfather. He tells Doris that he wants to fulfil the dream his Grandfather had for him in the letter ... and he does.

( This film is based on a true story.  Before I became a full-time writer, I was an English Lecturer. I  met Jon in College and he was one of the kindest and  well-read students I have ever taught. He later went to University. His story is powerful and inspirational.)

Linda M James © 2007