Start with an illegal shipment of super powered viagra called vigoroso. Mix in a couple New York gangsters, a Mexican smuggler, a small town Arizonan sheriff, and the sheriff's former girlfriend who just happens to be married to one of the gangsters. Add in some uniquely American gun humor. And you have a situation ripe for serious comedy. "The Shipment" delivers the goods and is a very amusing film. The basic situation is the the shipment of viagra gets waylaid. Not just once but many times. Sometimes the person in possession of the viagra doesn't even know he has it. Viagra, viagra, who has the viagra is the source of much of the fun. The gun humor blends in well and reinforces the basic theme. But the characterizations really sell this film. All are classical stock characters-almost cliches or caricatures. The sheriff (Matthew Modine) is a classic Gray Copper type. I kept expecting him to tip his hat to the ladies and say "yup" and "shucks mam." Robert Loggia again plays the classical aging retired godfather-a role he plays so well. Nicholas Tuturro plays the low class but high-ranking gangster in charge. Elizabeth Berkley is fine as the small town girl who left town for the big city only to learn that life was better in the small town. Complicating things is that she has feelings for the sheriff but is married to the gangster. What makes these characters interesting is that they are presented in a serious manner as if they were real people. No one mugs for the camera in this film. Given the basic permise for this film and its stock characters it would be easy to present it as a farce filled with low sexual humor. There are a few gross out scenes but they are thankfully few. Instead the story is presented in a serious manner. It is not a "Its a Mad Mad Mad Mad World imitation but fresh and enjoyable. Not a classic but worth the watch.
