Sunday, April 21, 2013

S is for Starbuck


STARBUCK

Canada 2011
Running Length: 103 minutes
Cast: Patrick Huard, Julie LeBreton, Antoine Bertrand
Director:  Ken Scott
Screenplay:  Ken Scott & Martin Petit
Cinematography: Pierre Gill



David Wozniak is an affable slacker who is employed by his father as a delivery driver for the family’s butchery. When he discovers that the sperm he donated as a younger man has been used to father 533 children, and that many of these children want to know who their father ‘Starbuck’ is, David’s life must change.

Initially unwilling to even contemplate the idea, David finds himself unable to ignore the manilla envelope of photgraphs and bios of the kids who want to meet him.  Soon he finds himself seeking out his children and helping them through crises.  There are some heartbreaking moments here, most notably when David visits his mentally handicapped son.

With the promise of a hefty paycheck should he win the legal battle to keep his identity secret, David manages to touch the lives of his children without revealing who he is.  When the story is published in the newspapers, the entire city starts speculating on who Starbuck might be, and everyone, including his family and his pregnant girlfriend has an opinon about the situation – most of them fairly derogeratory. 

Patrick Huard is a loveable lead and his affability carries the film along, even through a midsection that isn’t perfectly paced.  While absurd, the ending is ridiculously satisfying and you wil certainly leave the theatre with a smile on your face.

(note: I really struggled to decide on what film to do for S.  I kind of wanted to do Searching for Sugarman because it was awesome, and I wanted to do Scarlet Road because it inspired my new book - along with The Sessions, another good S choice - but I've already shared a review of Scarlet Road here.  But if you don't think Starbuck is for you, try one of these other S movies.  I can recommend all of them!)

4 comments:

  1. I think it's a shame that we don't get more foreign films here in the US. We might be missing out on some gems.

    ReplyDelete
  2. The film seems to be a good one. I gotta go and find it. :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. I think this one sounds really interesting. All it lacks is some stakes (for mc, town or kids), but the premise is unusual and fun.
    Thanks for the review! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  4. I agree with the other comments - this one sounds like a winner and the US should promote more foreign films.

    ReplyDelete