After a tragic loss and an ugly crime, a grieving father finds bittersweet consolation in a screenplay
Love and Theft
by Lindsay Ferrier
I'm sitting in a packed auditorium, watching an advance screening of an upcoming feature film. As the plot unfolds, the audience around me watches in rapt silence, at times breaking into laughter, more often sniffling and wiping away tears. The movie ends, the lights come up, and local screenwriter Pat Doughtie joins the film's producer on stage as the audience stands and applauds. It is a bittersweet epilogue to one of the most infuriating local news stories of the last decade.
Surely you remember Julie Buchanan, the surgically enhanced bimbo who went to jail back in 2007 for stealing $160,000 from Granbery Elementary School while she was its PTA president? Of course, money's been stolen from PTA funds before and doubtless will be again. But what made this particular story so appalling was that part of those stolen funds had been raised to help a student who was dying of brain cancer. Add to that the revelations that Buchanan spent the cash on plastic surgery, a cruise and lavish parties, and you've entered Inside Edition territory.
Like thousands of other Tennesseans, I was repulsed by news images of Buchanan as she impassively stood trial, outfitted in tight designer clothing that showed off the gravity-defying boobs she'd purchased with a pint-sized cancer patient's money. My husband Dennis, a Channel 4 reporter, covered her court appearances as well as her young victim's heartbreaking final days at home, where he was cared for by his father — Pat Doughtie.
While Julie went to jail for a few years, Pat coped with the loss of his son by writing about it. He took a screenwriting class and spent the next four months working on a movie called Letters to God, a fictional film with a plotline drawn from Tyler's short life. Buchanan, mercifully, was left out of the story altogether.
Even without a Cruella de Vil, the script was good enough to catch the eye of movie producer David Nixon, whose last independent film, Fireproof, took Hollywood by surprise when it opened in the No. 4 box office spot back in 2008. Filmed for just $500,000, the Christian film about marriage has grossed more than $33 million to date and spawned a popular marriage workshop still used in churches across the country.
Nixon hopes Letters to God will do for families affected by cancer what Fireproof has done for husbands and wives — bring them closer together and closer to their God. Both films have the unmistakable warm-and-fuzzy synthetic glow of a Hallmark movie, but despite their inevitable descent into corniness, the fact is that they stick with you. I may have laughed out loud when Kirk Cameron threw a trashcan-tossing hissy fit in his portrayal of Fireproof's angry husband, but when the movie was over, I have to admit I was secretly determined to be a better wife. Likewise, while watching Letters to God, I cringed at how quickly the alcoholic mailman recovered and came to Jesus upon reading Tyler's fictional missives — but as the closing credits rolled, I was sobbing right along with everyone else.
Speaking of everyone else, that special screening I attended was held specifically for members of Grace Baptist Church, where the Doughties go each Sunday. Five years ago, those church members paid Pat's mortgage and bills so that he could take off time from work and stay home with Tyler. Showing them his new movie was a small way for Pat to say thanks.
As he stood onstage at the end of the show and looked out at all the familiar faces, many with tears streaming, Pat began crying himself. In that moment, I remembered something he'd told my husband while his son was dying, something that had helped him get through those agonizing last days as much as anything.
"[Tyler] said 'I picked you,' " Pat told him. "And I said 'What do you mean?' He said, "When I was in heaven, I picked you for my dad.' "
Watching Pat stand before an applauding crowd five years later, I had to wonder if Tyler was right. He may have lived less than a decade, but thanks to the man he picked to be his dad, he'll be known, loved and missed by millions of people.
Letters to God opens in theaters on April 9.
Read more Suburban Turmoil at www.suburbanturmoil.com.
Email editor@nashvillescene.com.
Comments (27)
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Oh good grief... that last line had me all teary eyed already. I'll have to check it out. What a picture of grace that father is that he's not trying to avenge and share bitterness but rather trying to share a message of love.
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I've lived around this area all my life and had never heard this story before, but I still felt myself tearing up reading this. I hope people can benefit from this new movie, thanks for sharing with us about it. http://www.grayandbecca.com
I'm not really going to comment on the travesty that was the PTA president except to say it's absolutely appalling how blatantly selfish some people can be. Stealing money from a young cancer patient to pay for a boob job? Really? The fact that this father can take what turned out to be pain stacked upon even more pain and make it into something that sounds so moving and gorgeous is just astounding. Many people are crushed under the weight of their grief and never see the other side. But this man... He took an unimaginable tragedy and made it a way to inspire people. Kudos to you, sir. I really hope this movie gets to theaters somewhere near me. I would love to see it.
Not being from TN, this is not a familiar aching story to me - but now I will be looking for this movie to see it when it comes out. It is lovely to hear that out of such a tragic loss, such a beautiful testament has arisen. Thank you.
I remember when she got out of jail recently and was talking about how she had "changed". Somehow I don't believe that is true. I'm glad the Dad was able to take his tragedy and turn it into something that can be helpful to others. Can't wait to see this movie. www.thejokijourney.blogspot.com
Some days you may me laugh and other days I cry. Regardless, I never miss a day. Thank you.
Wow! Living in Minnesota I was not privy to this horrible news story. Thank you for sharing the bittersweet ending. I hope to be able to see this movie when it comes out.
There are some stories that just leave you wondering if you would really have it in you to be so gracious, forgiving or kind. I have not heard of this story before, but I have to think I would have taken all my rage and done something that was not useful. What a wonderful man (and father) to be able to channel his grief that way. http://bullinachinashopmom.blogspot.com/
so sad! I really can't understand how someone could be so heartless. I'm happy to hear he was able to be home with his dying son, many fathers have to continue working in order to pay bills and have healh insurance (a former co-worker of my husband went through this recently so its a very sensitive topic for me). I probably won't be able to watch this without sobbing so I might skip it but I hope it does well in theaters. hattahall.blogspot.com
Wow. I watched the news story you linked from your blog and read this account. The look on Julie's face appeared very cold and indifferent. I'm glad there is a punishment for her. Pat, the father, is a strong inspiration and testimony to grieving families. How amazing that he was able to provide a ray of light out of a heartbreaking situation, through his writing. I imagine this story and this new movie will greatly affect many hurting people. I loved the message of Fireproof and look forward to seeing and hearing the message of Letters to God. Brooke Fuller www.stilllearninglife.blogspot.com
Wow. If the movie is as touching as your description of the screening, I'll be a basketcase. www.revandthemissus.blogspot.com
I am crying right now after reading that last paragraph. What an awesome dad. What an amazing story. I would probably have spent the last few years saying "what if?" and questioning just about everything. (And what a sickening, selfish woman. Ick.)
I wish you had told us to grab some kleenex before we clicked over to read this Lindsay. Beautiful article. New fan of your writing!
This story breaks my heart....but at least it has a somewhat happy ending. I'll be watching for this movie to hit theaters. www.taylor-family-blog.blogspot.com
One of my favorite parts of this story is the way Doughtie's church cared for him during such a tragic time. The church gets a lot of bad press these days (and we often don't do much to help our cause...) and it's nice to hear about a church doing what the church should be doing.
There aren't any words for the shameless shrew who stole the money, but I'm so glad the world is full of people whose compassion can show how little she matters in this world.
Wow. What an amazing story! Found I hope the writing of the screenplay offered some comfort for the dad. I will be looking for it. www.journeysanddetours.com
I lost a child to brain cancer too some years ago. I understand what this family has gone thru. Too bad they had to put up with someone stealing from their charity funds on top of it. Just like it means a lot when other people care enough about you and your terminally child to offer financial and other support,I imagine it hurts a lot when someone shows they dont care by their actions.
Such a sad story, I'll look for it when it comes out on DVD. http://sprocketswife.blogspot.com/
Wow! That is such a powerful thing to come out of such tragedy. I am glad that "Cruela" was left out of the film and he has been able to channel his grief into a creative outlet! www.dixondialogue.com
What a beautiful and touching way to mark the life of a remarkable son and father. As for the PTA mom...there are just no words. Well, "sociopath" did come to mind. Hope she looks supahfine in that orange uniform! http://cluelessincarolina.blogspot.com
Wow! What a story! I can't wait to see that movie. Thanks for sharing! http://www.familiesofthementallyill.com.
This whole story has me in tears. I have heard friends talk about how excited they are for Letters to God to come out, and I guess I just kind of assumed what the movie was about. I never checked it out until today. Now, knowing the full story behind the movie, as well as watching the interviews your husband did with the Doughtie family leave me amazed. What a beautiful, beautiful family. And I am so blessed to know how their church family and friends have rallied around them. That is love!!
