Review by Jonathan Godfrey for Mr. Will Wong
French-Canadians have stolen the spotlight this season. Hot on the heels of a Québécois-crafted Thriller is a truly creative Comedy from the same soil. Delivery Man is the adaptation of TIFF ’11 Favourite, Starbuck. (Both being written and directed by Ken Scott, who won an array of Awards for the Original). The update sees Vince Vaughn as David Wozniak, a Meat Delivery Man with a past penchant for Sperm Bank donations.
Said donations lead to over 533 Offspring, 142 of which wish to know who there Biological Father is. If this isn’t enough, David is also awaiting his first traditionally conceived Child with Girlfriend Emma, (played by Canadian Sweetheart Cobie Smulders). Frustrated with David’s laissez faire attitude, she demands that he “get a life,” and quickly thereafter he does. With the awareness that his nation of Children wish to find out who he is he begins interacting with them in secret. This leads to a variety of enchanting scenes and storylines in turn.
Brett, David’s Best-Friend and Lawyer, helps him navigate through the difficulties of such a unique situation. Played by Chris Pratt, Brett brings the laughs to many scenes via his struggles with Fatherhood. David’s Fatherhood goes through some trials of its own, one of the most enchanting being with his estranged daughter Kristen (Britt Robertson). It’s great to see Ms. Robertson land additional work, and with the screentime she is afforded this round, it’s obvious she has a promising career ahead of her.
Vince Vaughn once again gives us a reminder why it is we love him, delivering his best work in quite some time. As David, he is given the space to offer up a range of emotions instead just his par for course hilarity. He is endearing at times, as well as insightful, and all of this thanks to Scott’s Script. Written with a unique tone the audience is afforded the chance to feel something authentic. There is no standardized storytelling so with each move being uncertain the viewer experiences the Film as it progresses. How refreshing, how brilliant and all other manner of pleasantries could be posited here as well. For those of you looking to see something heartfelt backed by brains look no further. This is the feel-good Flick of the Fall and all you need is to walk-in with an open heart.
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada releases Delivery Man on Friday, November 22, 2013.
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