Logline

A sprawling tale of love, faith and sacrifice that spans years in the life of one family as seen through the eyes of its youngest member – a precocious child whose extraordinary bond with her unpredictable, compassionate older brother teaches her that in order to stand out, one must not be afraid to shine.

Synopsis

Melody Fisher is a precocious child, wise beyond her years. On the inside, she feels like a strong, brave young lady, clear-minded and knows who she is. Outside Melody – the one the world sees – is an entirely different person. She is an inhibited and frightfully shy girl who is wickedly smart, but often made fun of by her peers. Melody struggles with one thing she cannot outsmart – her stutter. This debilitating condition forces her to withdraw and avoid people at all costs. She spends most of her time alone, consumed by reading books that take her to worlds she can only imagine.

“Let It Shine” is a story about the Fisher family that spans decades and is told through the eyes of its youngest member, Melody, who shares an extraordinarily close bond with her unpredictable older brother, Trent.

Unlike Melody, Trent is academically challenged and fails miserably in school. But what he lacks in grades, he makes up for by being an outgoing, compassionate free spirit, living each day fearlessly. His mission in life is to help others. His journalist mother inspired Trent at a young age when she wrote articles on the plight of the homeless. Upon seeing photos of homeless people, Trent buys a camera and snaps photos of individuals who are, in his own words, “looked sad or hurt or just plain lonely”. He hangs these photos up and calls them his “Mission Wall”.

Melody and Trent were born of parents who are polar opposites. Mother Lucy is a tough as nails, bold woman who speaks her mind. Father Curtis is a lost soul looking for a purpose in life outside accounting. He is an overly emotional, quiet man who carries a burden that he does not speak of.

The Fishers’ world is turned upside down when Trent announces he is joining the army shortly after the events of 9/11. This news devastates Melody, as she feels safest when Trent is with her. Before he departs, he gives her his camera and encourages Melody to step out of her shell and start her own mission.   Will overwhelming fears engulf Melody without Trent nearby or will she use the lessons he taught her that to stand out, despite her stuttering, one must not be afraid to shine?

The Fishers’ family story culminates in two cathartic moments. One surrounds Trent’s fate as a soldier and his journey home. The second is Melody’s ragging battle with her stutter that boils over when she finds herself in an outmatched confrontation with nowhere to run.