Daltry Calhoun

The old Bachelor Father formula is resurrected with a killer dose of whimsy in this quirky, dilatory first feature from writer-director Katrina Holden Bronson (daughter of Charles Bronson and Jill Ireland). At the beginning, deadbeat lowlife Daltry is separated from his girlfriend and their young daughter, but some years later—after he's established himself as a successful landscaper specializing in golf courses—his terminally ill ex turns up with their now teenage daughter in tow. The rest of the film centers on the gradual bonding between Daltry and the girl, with sideline storylines involving locals of the small Tennessee town. It's unlikely that Bronson's extravagantly off-kilter treatment of a familiar scenario could have succeeded under any circumstances, but it seems almost a perverse cinematic death wish to have cast someone as utterly uncharismatic as Johnny Knoxville (Jackass) in the lead. Daltry Calhoun is written and acted with a degree of affectation that italicizes everything, and the ponderous pacing, undoubtedly meant to enhance the charm, instead accentuates the complete lack of it. Not recommended. [Note: DVD extras include audio commentary by writer-director Katrina Holden Bronson, producer Danielle Renfrew, and executive producer Quentin Tarantino, the 12-minute “making-of” featurette “Hollywood Comes to Tennessee,” five deleted scenes with optional commentary (8 min.), a blooper reel (4 min.), a four-minute “The B Team” featurette (on costars Juliette Lewis, Kick Gurry, and David Koechner), Blue Mother Tupelo's “Put Your Head on My Shoulder” music video, and trailers. Bottom line: a solid extras package for a disappointing film.] (F. Swietek)