Delivery (2014)
The first film from Canadian documentary filmmaker Mark Myers
Director: Mark Myers
Starring: Mark Myers, Shane Cunningham, Sean Menard & Bert Van Lierop
Running Time: 92 mins
Release date: 16 Sept, 2014 - Available on VOD
Worldwide Gross: N/A
Basic Plot:
Mark Myers and his partner are having a baby and in his attempt to make his first movie he gets a few buddies together to document their first try at stand-up comedy. Shane (Shane Cunningham), Sean (Sean Menard) and Bert (Bert Van Lierop) all agree and give themselves a few months to get enough material to do five minutes of comedy. The film follows the four of them on their journey. Sean recently found out that his dad had cancer and was given a short time to live, Bert is 71 and wants to join in as its one of the few things he hasn’t experienced in his life; and Shane (co-writer), is just along for the ride. The message of the film lies in what giving something a try can produce, and what it can lead to. And in Delivery’s case it delivers a funny and poignant documentary.
Clock Watching? 17/20
What seems to be a film about comedy and stand-up at first, slowly transcends into something quite beautiful. The beginning 10 minutes set you up for a quirky, jokey take on performing comedy in front of an audience. But then it soon gives you a serious note to halt your preconceptions and refocus. What Delivery manages to do is give us insight into the joy and anxiety of preparing to be a father and the ebbs and tears of saying goodbye to one. This film is able to move past the well-trodden route of self-discovery and gives an honest and funny approach to one’s life achievements. Stand-up comedy is just a useful mechanism and a symbol of trying something out of our comfort zone, which is really what we do so often in every day life.
Lights, Camera, Direction? 15/20
The director Mark Myers creates a very watchable film in his first run out in feature-length material and delivers us with a moving and comedic film. His use of staged scenes, talking heads and home videos are edited together excellently to create a film about journey and discovery. Documentary filmmaking is often a difficult thing to pull off and especially when the premise is quite a loose one, but Myers is able to lead the audience to all the corners of comedy and life that he wished. And just like a perfect comedy set, he gives us DDS, distraction, discovery, and surprise; a good formula for all filmmaking!
Oscar Performances? 15/20
Delivery offers some great characters; Bert stands out from the crowd. His calm and honest approach to the world from a 71-year-old man’s viewpoint is great to watch. But all of the people featured in this movie add to its freshness. Sean’s father, Phil is suffering from terminal cancer and his reflections on a life squandered by “drinking and whoring” brings the comedy back down to earth and from the renewed relationship that Sean and Phil ignite, we are humbled by our own day-to-day struggles. With added input from Russell Peters and other professional comedians, the cast and personalities allow the film to be fresh and personable.
Tell a Friend? 17/20
One of the standout things about Delivery is its ability to appeal to all. Although, certainly from primarily a masculine viewpoint, the film does portray something about us all. Whether it’s the affiliation with standing up in front of a crowd, or dealing with a difficult time in your life or simply telling your loved ones how much they mean to you, Delivery is a film I will tell all of my friends about.
Again? 17/20
I would certainly watch this again as I think it has a lot to offer and will be able to offer more in a second (or third) viewing. Documentaries often have the ability to be viewed on many occasions and Delivery doesn’t veer from that path.
Total: 81%
A film that harmonizes the links between comedy and tragedy, a great start for first time filmmaker, Mark Myers.
by Russell Farnham
