What a Waste...
This is an utter waste of talent, mainly because this pilot/movie is so poorly written; this makes the talent of the cast stand out only more. And what a cast it is - Jeff Fahey, David Caruso (First Blood, NYPD Blue), Marisa Tomei (Jungle Fever), Stellan Skarsgard (Amistad, Ronin), Zakes Mokae (The Serpent and the Rainbow), Patti Labelle, Amanda Pays (Off Limits)...
In fact, this is so poorly written, that David Caruso is killed of within the first ten minutes, simply to provide some cheap motivation for Parker Kane. "Parker Kane" is a movie that screams "pilot", in the worst sense of the word. Fahey talks to the camera about "Parker Kane's Principles". "Live by them!". And what a guy he is - he's an ex cop sacked for burning out and probably using excessive violence, has loads of friends nevertheless, has his own diner booth reserved, has a great car _and_ motorcycle, loads of girlfriends and apparently bottomless funds. You'd wonder why he even gets out of bed at all, let alone works as a private investigator.
Having said that, a formula like this can work, as with for instance "Total Security", which is a lighthearted romp that doesn't take itself too seriously, but provides some "in between" work for other struggling actors.
Too bad, because I liked seeing Marisa Tomei, and Zakes Mokae is one of the coolest guys around. I also like Jeff Fahey's more serious loner roles (Sketch Artist, The Hit List, Quick, etc.). Now if they'd made this series with those tougher type of story lines...
