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Synopsis:
When Jack Duncan, a sullen, somber college professor discovers a pair of aviator glasses in his late father’s belongings, his life is forever changed. The eternal pessimist has unknowingly stumbled upon the proverbial pair of rose-colored glasses.
This remarkable eyewear, once worn by Jack's father, an air force pilot, possesses mystical properties. Unaware of their powers, whenever Jack slides them on, he is inexplicably transformed from chronic naysayer to a cheerful, spirited soul. But the results are not altogether rosy. His mood swings become unpredictable. His relationships—rocky. And following a family tragedy, Jack becomes the untested guardian for three young sisters.
In a warm and tender family comedy entitled, “Shades of Bliss,” you’ll meet:
• his nieces: Molly—a thumb sucker, Gwen—a wiseacre, and Hannah—the ultimate cheerleader;
• Jack's fiancée, Laura, one of his former students, 15 years younger, who despises children;
• Jack’s mother, Bernadette—an eccentric and painfully candid character, aching for a return visit to the bingo parlor;
• Mitchell Dunne—a pretentious department chairman determined to thwart Jack’s request for tenure;
• and Frank—an overly-friendly border collie on a special diet…for a special reason.
In the opening scenes of "Shades of Hope," we are treated to a glimpse of the Celestial Command Center. Within this heavenly headquarters, dutiful angels carry out the will of the master. These trusty legions of seraphim take their jobs seriously. When God says: “Push a button on a guy,” you push a button. But when a pair of mischievous, unsupervised cherubs gain entrance into the off-limits area, all heck breaks loose. A providential blunder by the capricious duo results in the creation of an extraordinary set of spectacles, whose wearer experiences eternal optimism.
And who better to make use of this unexpected gift than Jack Duncan, fatalist. The media studies professor at Woodruff College, one of the midwest’s most prestigious institutions, seems unable to appreciate the blessings he’s received. It isn’t until he dons the fateful pair of sunglasses, that he is awakened. But not even a rosy outlook can protect him when his fiancée breaks off their engagement, a family court judge orders him to relinquish custody of the girls, and he is denied tenure at Woodruff. He is further challenged when the magical glasses are destroyed.
It is only then, following a period of utter despair, that Jack discovers, with the help of his young nieces, the secret of happiness. He soon learns to rely, not on artificial optimism, but on a genuine, heartfelt lust for life.
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