Starbuck

Starbuck.

It has nothing to do with coffee. I had crossed this film from my must see list because I thought the idea of a sperm donor providing for 533 children was silly madness. I was severely chastised by members of my exercise class. They told me it was an entertaining, funny and delightful film. They were so correct.
Starbuck was a pseudonym used by David Wozniac, the sperm donor. He believed that confidentiality was guaranteed. David looks like he needs a good shave. He is in debt. He drives a truck delivering meat for his father’s butchering business. His father constantly tells him he does his job poorly. Many would label him as a loser.
David has an attractive pregnant girlfriend. He just doesn’t appear to be the ‘father like ‘material.
An envelope is delivered to David containing pictures and facts from all the recipients of his sperm. Apparently there is going to be a law suit and the children are seeking him out. At first he throws the package away. On second thought he looks at one of the pictures. He follows it up and observes a want to be actor working in a coffee shop. He helps him out in a situation.
He turns over another paper and finds a young lady hooked on drugs. He goes to her defense and gets her out of rehab. He gives her the confidence she was lacking. Over and over again he meets the young people he secretly fathered. He makes an impact on their lives. He is especially proud of the famous soccer player. David also plays soccer and you can imagine him thinking that his genes have created this soccer star. He gives money to a street musician and encourages others on the street o donate.
More importantly he begins to change. He becomes softer and more worthy. At one point he states,” I have never been so happy in my life.”
There is so much humor. His lawyer pal is very funny and adds much to the story.
David is threatened with a court case. He is called a pervert. He hears people talking about Starbuck, not knowing it is really David. He hears someone say,” Imagine being known as Sergeant Pecker all your life.” Even his own father calls him ‘El Masturbator’
The group of young people comes to his aid as he had done for them.
The story is touching. I enjoyed watching the character development. The French Canadian film industry produces many fine films. This is another one worth watching. Apparently it did win an award at the Toronto Film Festival 2011.