Starbuck

Patrick Huard is well cast as the "imperfect" lead. He is the same person at the end of the movie as at the beginning, we just got to know him better. You laugh at and with, sympathize and empathize with David. You invited into his imperfect life, with all his mistakes and foibles to see through to the truly good person underneath. you agonize with his dilemma, and feel his situation. The rest of the actors are well cast and are exactly who they should be. They support the story, don't get in the way, and particularly his father (Igor Ovadis) are great in their roles. Uplifting without preaching.

I know this is comedy, so it doesn't have to be entirely logical, but if the core premise is so laughably illogical, it's a little hard to swallow. I mean, in most countries, there's a limit to the number of children a sperm donor can give rise to, can you imagine unknowingly marrying your half-siblings? In Canada, it's one donor for 25 children per population of 800,000. And the rest of the plot and humour are pretty pedestrian. In a way, this is a reflection of one of the main issues with many Quebecois films: a lot of style and gusto, but lacking some substance and critical thinking.

With great expectation, I started to watch this film only to disappoint myself. Honestly, the whole thing's terrible, too terrible to remark.Nothing but hackneyed subjects and second-handed laughing stock. Well I might miss the point if it has a point.Somehow I did caught enough glimpes of Addidas, coats and shoes and everything you need to know about that brand.This made me doubt whether this film is but a insidious commercial. It has a very neat start, but more often than not we find that "well begun isn't half done". It goes straight downhill after about 12min! phony IS too weak a word for this movie, the play & actor & all!!! Better not waste your time.

Starbuck was brought to my attention having seen trailers for Vince Vaughn's Delivery Man. I decided to see the original French (Canadian) version first and I'm so glad I did. This film is superb! Magnifique! Edifying, uplifting, funny, touching and beautiful. It is such an original premise that there was no clue how it would end; it could have gone in a number of different directions. The actors were all so good that you didn't feel that you are watching a film, rather you were following a true life documentary. Every actor was flawless. I cannot fault this film, other than watching it with English subtitles I'm sure it lost a bit in translation as I was aware that not everything was translated verbatim. Eminently lovable characters and a wonderful social commentary. WATCH THIS FILM!! Un film tres fantastique!!

Life is a stage and where else could you meet so many characters but in your own family! David Wozniack's 539 sperm donor children were as different as Matthew the tax collector and Simon the Zealot at The Last Supper! I loved them all ...the severely autistic, the prescription drug addict, the unemployed actor, the soccer star, the neurotic, and the gay! We often learn the most from those who are most unlike ourselves. The labyrinth of sperm donor children that surround the birth of his first newborn child is heart warming! It feels like agape love much like Quebec film "The Barbarian Invasion" However, Quebec has a way of romanticizing the trivialization and the minimization of having accountability for actions. (such as the fertility Clinic that donated 500 sperm donor donations under the name Starbuck) I almost fell in love with this film!

I liked "Starbuck" very much. My main advice would be to watch it before the American version is out. It's not that I don't believe in Hollywood, but I don't. This movie is heartwarming, the characters are lovable and the story is fairly original. It has moments which will make you laugh, but its true strength is in those moments which will make you smile. The acting is good, the music is very suitable and the director has managed to produce a sotry which dodges clichés. "Starbuck"is a movie which would make you feel better if you are in a bad mood, and even if you are feeling good it would elevate your spirit even more. It is not a movie to change your view on life or something, but you'll have a real fun watching it and that's what going to the movies is all about.