Parting Shots

More power to the genius that is Michael Winner. He is so far ahead of the game it is incredible. In `Shots' he has managed to create the first cult film of the next millennium. No one likes this film at all, but there is a huge enjoyment to be had by anyone who views it with an open mind. I for one look forward to his next movie.

Michael Winner's Parting Shots is a quite appalling, unfunny 'comedy' with the worst acting performance that you are ever likely to see. For those who think Keanu Reeves is wooden, have a look at this and see what you think of Chris Rea.

I won't go into the plot because it is so hackneyed but instead, I'll make a few observations. Firstly, the 'twist' is laughable and we guessed it during the first act. Next, the concept of a 'gun pub' is frankly laughable - the police refer to a pub in the film by saying 'that's a gun pub, isn't it'. If they knew this, why haven't they closed it down. Obviously this leads to our hero (a man with one facial expression) being able to walk into a pub and literally say that he wants to buy a gun - I don't think so.

In fact, the role of the police beggars belief - at one point, about forty arrive to arrest the perpetrator of the murders. He tells the guy in charge that it wasn't him and then evades them all by slipping out the back. If our police really were this useless, there would be mass anarchy on the streets.

Finally, it is a sad final film for Oliver Reed (who clearly looks ill). He surely deserves much better despite wasting a lot of his career. Don't be tempted by the fact that the likes of John Cleese and Ben Kingsley are in this either - Cleese reprises his role from the Sainsbury's ads while Kingsley clearly couldn't care.

Thankfully, I didn't part with any money to watch it.

Parting Shots was not the greatest film in the world i admit, but a great cast made it extremely watchable and fun! Oliver Reed was a particular delight as the hit-man stalking Chris Rea's central character! Another highpoint of the film (though only on screen very briefly) was the sexy Nicola Bryant playing a deliciously underwear-clad prostitute! Hmmmmmmm.......

First things first - some people think this ISN'T the worst film ever. They are mistaken.

I recall, one fine afternoon, visiting the local multiplex and witnessing the trailer for Parting Shots. Something smelt distinctly fishy and indeed my worst fears were confirmed at the end when it proudly stated, "Written, Produced and Directed by Michael Winner". I was amused.

Some weeks later, reviews for the film started appearing in the press which all backed up my initial feelings. Some months later...much to my joy, the film appeared on the shelf in Blockbuster. After so long a build-up, I was desperate to see quite how bad this film could be. On these grounds, it is an incredible achievement of modern cinema. How Mr. Winner has been able to produce the ultimate "so bad it's actually kind of good" film is a testament to his skill as director and part-time restaurant critic. Details of the film's many amusements (Plot(?), characters, ethics, good actors looking worse than ever), have been discussed in the other, many (and often amusing) reviews. However, I feel duty-bound to give further highlight to the performance and acting prowess of one, Mr. Chris Rea Esq. This faded rockstar was originally supposed to do the music but 'friend' Winner suggested he play the main role, since nobody else could give such depth and realism to the part of such a born loser. Well done Michael. Every word and motion of Rea is pure (unintentional) comic genius, ranging from his heartfelt declaration of love ("I luv you. I do ya' know") to his 'interesting' bodily positions (note his stance beside the swimming pool, or his 'relaxed' look when sipping champagne). I have seen many, many films in my time, but even so, Rea is a truly original performer, nay artiste. He is the essence of Parting Shots and through him Winner proves to the world that he is, in fact, just fat, miserable, and inhuman. As if we didn't know already.

To conclude, if you build up your expectations for a truly bad film and perhaps partake in a fair amount of alcohol, you won't be disappointed by Parting Shots. Indeed, I wouldn't be surprised if you split your sides laughing all the way up to the scooby-doo-style-everyone-laughs ending. It's ironic really that something so devoid of humour can be so hilarious.

BUY IT!!!

Foremost in my mind when approaching Parting Shots was the fact that I had never seen a Michael Winner film before. Nope, not even Death Wish. I was aware of his reputation, though. Tory, tabloid columnist, worst director ever, restaurant critic (most pointless occupation ever). Bearing all this in mind, I was confidently expecting to begin this review with the words, "Michael Winner must die."

But... no can do. It's not that Parting Shots is any good - it's certainly pretty weak stuff, by any standards. It's just that it's nowhere near as unwatchably awful as so many have insisted. I've seen any number of films this year alone that are far worse than this, and the film's dated, 70's cheesiness has a certain naive appeal. Besides, any director who can get John Cleese, Bob Hoskins, Joanna Lumley, Oliver Reed and Diana Rigg, to name but a few, to appear in material of this (sub)standard must have something going for him, surely?

Parting Shots isn't the worst film ever. It's not even the worst film ever to star Bob Hoskins. It's just an utterly harmless instance of a bunch of ageing luvvies getting together, having a few laughs, and making a little film to show the grandkids. Not a menace, just an irrelevance, so ignore it and it'll soon go away.