Partners

The cover photo and back cover synopsis made this movie seem like just a drama/thriller, but I was pleasantly surprised that it was a fun comedy! All of the characters have their charming points, and you end up rooting for most of them, even though some are working against each other. There is violence, but it seems laughable because of the way it's treated by the characters. To sum it up, there's a briefcase to be sold, and the original thief of the item, unwillingly gets a partner (Casper), who then unwillingly gets TWO more partners without the FIRST partner's knowledge. This light hearted film is cute and you'll walk away from it with a bit of a grin. Nice work!

The best thing about this movie is its characterizations, or even call them "stereotypes" -- not of personalities, but of the various ways of being kinda dumb, or having "no sense at all" in various situations, and how that interplays with trusting someone, letting your guard down.

It was fun to watch, and warmly humorous. It puts characters we all can see the foibles of right in our face, and asks the question of us, as we're watching, "do you think it will be worth it for, say, the Drifter (Van Dien), or his girlfriend (Vanessa Angel) to trust anyone at all? Short-term? long-term?

The plot twists keep you guessing at the film's answer -- yes, no, yes, no, yes, no, yes ... ??? A fun ride.

I felt rage. I mean this is a great script. It has all; action, comedy, a buddy-case where everyone affects the other's life finely. So why it was made in low production with no stars?!

In fact, this question is real hunting. When I run into good movies, like this one, I always ask the same question; why it wasn't made as Hollywood? But nevertheless, let me answer with refutation. For one reason, not all the movies have to be Hollywood. And for another, the makers of it had done a nice job. So why is the complaining from the start?

Maybe because we all were raised by Hollywood movies, with dazzling stars. But even according to that or not, while (David Paymer) did extremely good (look at the way he runs; so idiotic!), (Casper Van Dien) was lower than him. Aside from having little charisma, that guy just doesn't know how to be a persuasive action hero, or even a distinct actor. But some chemistry clicked between him and (Paymer), mainly due to that script before the physical differences. It made humans out of what Hollywood used to deal with as moving dummies!

There is a sharp dialogue all along; I liked the most the one of: "They robbed you, you robbed them, then I robbed you!". The last cadre with the whole town in depth actually meant something this time; where it is a criminal town in which you have to be slightly criminal yourself to be able to just live. According to it, honesty became a joke, and betrayal was the serious life. As you see, it's an entertaining movie with meaning as well.

It kept a hot pace all along since everything you don't expect hits you right on. The side characters worked too. The directing managed to be somewhat above average at points. Even the theme song "Headed to The Crying Town" served the movie's both funny and serious character well. I just didn't like some violence at the end, and the moment of "You want to be me" which was too philosophical to be said by that street hustler who we watched, as if the writer borrowed his character's voice, to declare frankly some of his own thoughts, concerning the movie's basic core about the necessities of the worried unadventurous inexperienced middle-class man in the world of today.

Take it from me, a buddy-movies' maniac, (Partners) ranks among the best buddy movies for its year, whether the action ones (Shanghai Noon), the cartoon comedies (The Road to El Dorado, and The Emperor's New Groove), the live action comedies (The Kid, and Dude, Where's My Car), or even the dramatic ones (Finding Forrester).

There isn't a small movie and big one. Only good and bad. This one could have been better with more quality elements. Hollywood has to not lose it again. So I just still hope for a remake with (Paul Giamatti) and (Brad Pitt). The thing is while I don't need to see (Paymer) doing it again, I didn't want (Casper Van Dien) to do it in the first place!

At any case, it's official; Hollywood permitted TV to win this time.

PARTNERS (2000) **1/2 Low-budget, direct-to-video release about an ordinary man who illegally takes a top secret computer program from his high-tech work place and tries to sell it to an interested buyer. On his way across country to close the deal, Casper Van Dien intervenes and demands equal payment through the exchange. The screenplay isn't half bad, but I'm only giving it two and a half stars since I wouldn't re-watch it. It's one of those films that you may slightly enjoy, but you will have forgotten you had ever seen it after a week.

Rating System

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This familiar crime caper plot of multiple double-crosses and changing allegiances scores mostly for appealing mix of amusing, well-sketched stereotypes, though by the end of the film enough people have been killed to keep from calling this a comedy. The only real suspense is who will drive off with the money--but who really cares. Casper Van Dien does especially well with a dry-humored Clint Eastwood delivery while David Paymer is central casting's pick for an accounting nerd (actually a computer programmer). Jenifer Lewis as the tough detective in pursuit provides terrific counterpoint. What the film lacks to distinguish it in this low-budget genre is pacing. The banter is not always quick enough and some scenes just lack snap.