A completely clueless but supportive elderly couple (Gwenda, played by Siobhan Finneran, and Ian, played by Paul Chahidi) await the arrival of a package. This delivery is of paramount importance, containing the means for their queer daughter to start a family with her partner.
The courier truck races down the streets, passing gardens and friendly gnome figurines as it does. The vehicle comes to a screeching halt, knocking over a rather inconveniently placed statue on a driveway. No doubt director Stephen Gallacher’s cheeky little nod to Home Alone’s iconic opening won’t go over your head, but what happens next quite literally will, as the driver, Clive (Tom Rosenthal), proceeds to accidentally send the specimen splattering all over hard concrete—to the dismay of Gwenda and Ian.
The mishap is a major one, as the pair and Clive are left grasping for options to “pick up the pieces” before it’s all too late and the daughter returns home to find an empty freezer with no sample in sight.
Gallacher’s name might ring a bell for those familiar with his previous work, Harold & Mary: a powerfully written and memorable short film that also saw an elderly couple spotlighted, albeit through a more devastating narrative. The Stork is decidedly lighthearted and an often hilarious addition to the director’s ever-expanding filmography. Gallacher clearly cares about his characters, and with this foray into the comedy genre, he has once again proved that his keen understanding of interpersonal relationships and the human condition places him a cut above the rest.
Gwenda and Ian are lovable, with Finneran and Chahidi doing right by the screenplay they are given. In a world where understanding and even accepting queer lifestyles is still taboo in lots of places, they defy conventions and approach their daughter with affection. They might not understand every intricacy, but they give it their best shot to make it all work. And Rosenthal’s Clive? He’s most certainly a scene-stealer as he anchors the film for audiences. Ultimately, The Stork isn’t about an everyday topic, and having someone like Clive there to ground it all makes the story’s themes pop even more.
The Stork is compassionate and funny, putting a jovial spin on often misunderstood or completely ignored topics.
