Sidekick (2005)

User Rating:

5.6/10   

Director:

Blake Van de Graaf

Writer:

Michael Sparaga (writer)

Release Date:

5 April 2006 (Canada)

Genre:

Fantasy

Tagline:

There's a hero inside everyone.

Plot:

Mild-mannered computer consultant Norman Neale has two great loves in this cruel world: Comic books and his office's effervescent main receptionist...

Plot Keywords:

Superhero | Sidekick | Toronto | Victory Man | Baldwin

Awards:

2 wins

Cast

David Ingram	...	Victor Ventura
Perry Mucci	...	Norman Neale
Mackenzie Lush	...	Andrea Hicks
Daniel Baldwin	...	Chuck
Julian Osen	...	Carson Fleming
Daniel Krolik	...	Bob
John Illingworth	...	Mr. Richmond
Pat Brown	...	Larry Thornton
Ryan Ward	...	Ted Harris
Ken Lashley	...	Himself
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Sean Beatty	...	Detective 1
Scott Carman	...	Bartender
Jacey Dean	...	Woman in Bar
Marco Dellapenna	...	Hood #4
Christian Kada	...	Hood #3
Adam Lazarus	...	Police Officer
Marco Mascherin	...	Bouncer
Bryon Mumford	...	Hood #1
John Nicol	...	Security Guard
Matt Olmstead	...	Hood 2
Kim Zayac	...	Detective #2

Runtime:

Canada:87 min

Country:

Canada

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:14A (all jurisdictions)

Filming Locations:

Oakville, Ontario, Canada

Company:

Victory Man Productions

Quotes:

Chuck: It's not cliché, it's formula. And it works.

Movie Connections:

References Spider-Man 2 (2004)

A reluctant superhero & his nerdy trainer: it's Batman Redux (sort of)

Norman (Perry Mucci), a nerdy computer troubleshooter at an investment firm in Toronto, fills his personal time and imagination with comic superheroes; his best buddy runs a comic book shop where he often hangs out. One day in the coffee room at work, Norman sees Victor (David Ingram), one of the slicker salesmen, grab a toppling coffee cup in midair with such lightening speed that Norman guesses he must possess some sort of telekinetic powers. Turns out he guessed right.

Norman offers to train Victor to focus the use of these powers more intentionally, and, after initially spurning the offer, Victor acquiesces. Norman envisions training Victor to become a superhero, fighting crime with his paranormal skills, while Norman sees himself as a sidekick, his Robin to Victor's Batman. Trouble is, Victor does not share this vision: he has no scruples whatsoever and laughs off the idea of becoming a crimefighter in favor of accumulating corporate control and wealth through his powers, even if this requires violence.

Norman has inadvertently created a monster and now must attempt to pull the plug on him. The screenplay is cleverly written. Ingram is perfect as the narcissistic bad guy. Mucci is burdened by playing a character too naive to be believed, not in the big city of Toronto. My rating: 6.5/10 (B). (Film seen on 10/01/05 at the Idaho International Film Festival). If you'd like to read more of my reviews, send me a message for directions to my websites.