What really goes on in the back rooms of car dealerships across America? What does the car salesman do when he leaves you sitting in a sales office and goes to talk with his boss? This modern day Used Cars meets Wedding Crashers starts with Jay Roth, an ambitious, young car salesman caught up in the fast paced, fast women atmosphere of a car dealership. Jay grew up loving cars with a dream to one day own his own dealership and the “A” Plate.
The “A” Plate or dealer plate is the ultimate badge of honor for anyone who owns a dealership. Unfortunately, Jay’s boss, Dick Stevens, refuses him a partnership.
The dealership is in jeopardy when Dick’s wife Candice, catches him having sex in his office with his receptionist, Tracy. Candice vows to divorce Dick and take very thing he’s got, especially the dealership. Dick is frantic. Seeing his opportunity to get a piece of the dealership, Jay convinces Dick to go along with a scam where they will purposely lose money so that the dealership is worth less and Candice will get nothing. In exchange for helping Dick, Jay insists that he be made partner but Dick refuses so Jay secretly tells Candice about the scam, making a deal for partnership with her.
Following the sleazy unwritten code of the car business he works behind Dick’s back to foil Dicks plan by making money while Dick is trying desperately to lose money.
Dick eventually realizes that “actually” losing money is not as good an idea as “pretending” to lose money by “cooking the books”, and enlists his dumpy, middle-aged controller, Helen, into his scheme. The only problem is, Helen has a request of her own. She wants an affair with Dick.
Jay has a reality check when he falls for a girl that is off limits, Dick’s daughter Andrea. Andrea, in town from Chicago to sort out her parent’s divorce, wants nothing to do with Jay. Jay is in a quandary. He needs to continue his unscrupulous behavior if he really wants the “A” plate but must appear to be a nice guy for Andrea. While Jay is occupied romancing Andrea, the whole dealership gets caught up in the world of sex and lies. Jay sleeps with Tracy. Bob, a pot-smoking co-worker who now lives with Jay, sleeps with Helen and finds out that Dick has her cooking the books. This further complicates Jay’s plans with Candice and his hopes to own the dealership not to mention he’s fallen in love with Andrea. Even Jay’s grandfather Charlie, Jay’s moral compass, adds to the confusion when he continues to run away from the nursing home. Jay’s life is out of control as he spins further and further away from his true goal of owning the dealership.
The Comedy continues with a hilarious ensemble of co-workers at the most dysfunctional dealership around. Will Jay achieve his dream? Will Dick lose his dealership? Will Andrea and Jay find true love? Find out who gets to drive off the lot with the “A” Plate.
We spoke to writer/director Terre Weisman about his new comedy The A Plate, now on VOD from Osiris Entertainment.
What two movies would you say the “A” plate is similar to?
I’m not sure what other film’s I could singularly compare as similar; but we did pitch the movie as “Used Cars” meets “Wedding Crashers”.
Would you classify the film as a straight up comedy?
I would classify the movie more as a romantic comedy.
Is there a message to the movie?
I didn’t write the movie with a particular message in mind, but now that it’s completed, the movie does underscore the importance of honesty, integrity, and character.
You’ve a wonderful cast, but I know independent filmmakers don’t always get exactly who they want. Was there an actor or actress you would have loved to have gotten for this movie but just couldn’t snag?
Yes, it is a wonderful cast. Thank you. We did try for Susie Essman for the role of Candice Stevens, however, once the suggestion of Priscilla Barnes came up, there was no mistake she was perfect for the role. She brought so much and more. A terrific talent. She was just great.
Sam McMurray. He’s done everything. This is different for him, wouldn’t you agree? What made him right for the role?
Yes. I’ve seen Sam in so many wonderful, memorable roles in his career but what really stands out for me with Sam is his comic sensibilities and timing. Nobody made me laugh harder, take after take, more than Sam on set. A “look” here or an “expression” there just added so much to the lines I had written. He was spectacular.
Can you tell us about the distribution plans? I believe the film is already out on DVD?
You are right. The film is out on DVD and now with the release of VOD on so many available platforms, the last piece of the plan will be to secure a national release on cable.
Is this a worldwide release, or just the US at this stage?
We are concentrating on our US release at the moment. International rights will be next.
The A Plate is now on VOD
