Partners

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.

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This film directed by Joey Travolta (brother of John) is a silly, stupid farce comedy with violence. Casper Von Dien & David Paymer are the leads. Paymer is usually very good, but here silly antics made me laugh. Caspar, on the other hand is nice to look at, & I was hoping he would have gotten the flogging he did recieve in Starship Troopers. This man cannot act.This film was sent direct to video as no one in his right mind would pay to see this. This is a poor film in all aspects. Rating * 34 points IMDB 2

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.

Main annoyance was this comedic element where the writer chose to portray the Japanese as talking with a lisp, saying W's instead of R's. That was bizarre. Hello Mr. Writer, velly solly, but what they have a hard time with is R's and L's. They most definitely do NOT talk like Elmer Fudd, okay?

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.