A sperm donor discovers he has fathered 533 children in this quirky comedy-drama
In short: When David Wozniak learns his anonymous student-era sperm donations resulted in hundreds of offspring, his quiet life as a butcher shop delivery driver is upended. Facing a massive class-action lawsuit from his biological children, he must decide whether to keep his secret or embrace an unexpectedly large, complicated new family.
Released in 2013, Delivery Man is a direct, scene-for-scene adaptation of the 2011 French-Canadian film Starbuck. Both versions were helmed by director Ken Scott. The American production, which stars Vince Vaughn as the protagonist David Wozniak, Chris Pratt as his lawyer friend Brett, and Cobie Smulders as his pregnant girlfriend Emma, was filmed across New York City and the Hudson Valley starting in October 2012.
The narrative centers on Wozniak, who is struggling with debt and the sudden revelation that he is the biological father to 533 children. A group of 142 of these individuals initiates legal action to uncover the identity of their donor, known only by the alias Starbuck. As Wozniak navigates the legal battle, he secretly observes his children, performing small acts of kindness that eventually lead him to reconsider his desire for anonymity.
Critical reception for the film was largely mixed. While some reviewers appreciated Vaughn’s departure from his usual fast-talking persona and praised the supporting performance of Chris Pratt, others felt the film struggled to match the charm of its Canadian predecessor. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a 40% approval rating, while Metacritic reports a score of 44/100. Despite these varied critical assessments, audiences surveyed by CinemaScore awarded the film a B+ grade.
Financially, the production grossed $53.1 million against a budget of $26 million. The film’s distribution was handled by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures under the Touchstone Pictures banner, though rights in India and several international markets were managed by independent distributors. Ultimately, the story concludes with Wozniak finding a path toward fatherhood, choosing to reveal his identity and maintain ongoing relationships with many of his children.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Delivery Man (film)
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