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Paparazzi
(2004)
Starring:
Cole Hauser, Robin Tunney, Tom Sizemore
Director: Paul Abascal
Rating: PG-13
Distributor:
20th Century Fox
Release Date:
09.03.04
Review
Posted: 09.30.04
Spoilers:
Minor
By
George Schmidt
Mel Gibson's
Wet Dream
Ever since the
tragic demise of Princess Diana no thanks to the vultures-on-carrion
tabloid shutterbugs has the term 'paparazzi' ever had the chance of
evoking 'class'. This film, produced by Mel Gibson's Icon Films, is
the proof that celebrity photographers are the spawn of Satan.
Rising star of
action pictures Bo Laramie (Cole Hauser) begins to realize that living
life in the fast lane isn't what it's all cracked up to be after the
glitzy Hollywood premiere of his first name above the title
franchise-to-be "Adrenaline Force" when he is accosted at his young
son's soccer match by vile photog Rex Harper (Tom Sizemore at his
slimiest) a slick, gusto chasing jerk who provokes Bo to hit him -
getting the knockdown on video and Bo promptly into anger management.
Laramie attempts to
remain cool but when push comes to shove - or rather when Harper and
three of his low-life cronies roust the Laramie brood by boxing their
car in with their vehicles leads to a nasty spill on the road (again
echoes of Lady Di) that lands Bo's clan into the hospital (his boy is
in a coma and wife Robin Tunney has her spleen removed; venting spleen
- get it?) Cue Bo seeing red and all bets are off. Despite his
attempt to get the law on his side with world weary Dennis Farina as a
police detective a la Columbo (he's seen it all and hates the
paparazzi as well) assigned to the case
Laramie
inadvertently takes the law into his own hands when one of the vile
camera-clickers accidentally gets killed in his vicinity. This leads
to Bo to go all action star on the remaining trio with guilty pleasure
brio.
Hauser, who looks
uncannily like Paul Newman circa 1961, does the best he can with the
material at hand giving a rather likable turn as a family man who
simply wants to enjoy his new found fame without the horrors he's
faced with (seemingly) unable to stop from coming. Sizemore - who
practically sprouts horns, fangs and cloven hoofs - has a devilish
time as the scumbag who has Bo's number (and if there's any justice
gets his comeuppance in due time). Farina, always a pleasure to watch
onscreen, has some fun as well but sadly the sweet Tunney is reduced
to the suffering spouse.
Novice screenwriter
Forrest Smith gleefully adds to the tackiness of the timely storyline
with nifty full-proof ways of getting revenge that seem to be exec
producer Gibson's wet dream (he has a funny cameo as do a few of his
Hollywood buds) while director Paul Abascal, a former show biz hair
stylist, also acquits himself as best he can with the proceedings of
vengeance is a dish best served cold. Too bad it will leave it to the
audience as well.
Film
Rating:
κκ (out of
4)
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