A couple of years before his breakthrough as a feature film director in the superb "In the Bedroom", Todd Field adapted another short story from
Andre Dubus. The one told in "Delivering" escapes the tragedy but it's also about a family torn apart and it's up to the ones left behind to figure out how
to live without someone they always loved and knew, and find ways to grow up in the best way possible.
Two brothers, the older Jimmy (Ian Bohen) and the young one Chris (Justin Carmack), wake up to find that their mother was gone but later as we discover
one of them know why she left and that this time she won't be coming back. In the meantime that they deal with each other imagining the mother's whereabouts
they spend some quality time together at their work doing paper rounds (hence the title, though it goes a little beyond that if you think through) and
swimming at the beach.
I was deeply involved with its development, the director manages to create a great sense of mystery and curiosity while we follow the boys routine that
this time is completely altered. It's not necessarily focused on the why they won't have their mother back, it's more about how they'll cope and be supportive
of each other - the father is a mystery since we're told he also tends to disapperar here and there.
The silent moments between them speaks volumes, and both
kids were amazing talents on this one. Bohen still acts, but Carmack sadly passed away on a car crash at an early age and without any other film credits. And
to have those two dynamic forces together on screen is one of those things that don't happen often, specially with a fine script. I couldn't find Dubus short
story to make a comparison, but from what a description I've read it's quite faithful to the original material.
Again, another great accomplishment by Mr. Field during his early years directing shorts, leaving the acting jobs on the side, and today we can recognise
him as one of the greatest film directors of the past 30 years ("Little Children" and "Tár" are his other features). Might not be prolific, but whatever he
touches becomes gold for film enthusiasts. 8/10.
