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Grand Theft Parsons (directed by David Caffrey)
Four out of Five stars
In 1973, Country singer Graham Parsons (the Byrds, The Flying Burrito Brothers) died of an overdose of morphine and tequila in a run down motel room. His road manager, Phil Kaufman, in keeping with a promise he'd made, stole his body and drove it out to Joshua Tree in order to "set him free." This story has become a legend in its own right, and now it has been immortalized in director David Caffrey's film, Grand Theft Parsons.
Johnny Knoxville (Jackass, Men in Black 2) plays Kaufman, Parson's motorcycle riding, hard drinking road manager and best friend. Feeling guilty that Parsons died while he was supposed to be watching over him, Kaufman enlists the aid of a stoner (Michael Shannon) and his beat up, yellow flowered hearse to steal Parsons' body from LAX and drive it to the desert to be cremated. The two body theives are pursued by Parsons' gold digging and delusional ex girlfriend (Christina Applegate), his father Stanley (Robert Forster) and of course, the police.
The cast does a uniformly good job in acting out their parts. Christina Applegate shows off her comedy skills yet again, Robert Forster does a good job in his role as a grieving father, and Michael Shannon adds much comedy relief to the grim story. The revelation here is Johnny Knoxville. Knoxville is amazing as the film's protagonist, a man trying to keep a promise, even if it means he's going to wind up in prison. Knoxville gives a very understated, withdrawn performance. Outside, his character is all swagger and bluster, but inside, he's a man driven by guilt and devotion to his friend. Knoxville is the reason to see this film, he is an actor to watch, should he follow up on this with another good movie. He's remnicent of George Clooney, in a way.
Grand Theft Parsons has it's problems, mainly being that it is too short. The film is only 88 minutes. Other than that, it is definitely worth seeing.
Four out of Five stars
In 1973, Country singer Graham Parsons (the Byrds, The Flying Burrito Brothers) died of an overdose of morphine and tequila in a run down motel room. His road manager, Phil Kaufman, in keeping with a promise he'd made, stole his body and drove it out to Joshua Tree in order to "set him free." This story has become a legend in its own right, and now it has been immortalized in director David Caffrey's film, Grand Theft Parsons.
Johnny Knoxville (Jackass, Men in Black 2) plays Kaufman, Parson's motorcycle riding, hard drinking road manager and best friend. Feeling guilty that Parsons died while he was supposed to be watching over him, Kaufman enlists the aid of a stoner (Michael Shannon) and his beat up, yellow flowered hearse to steal Parsons' body from LAX and drive it to the desert to be cremated. The two body theives are pursued by Parsons' gold digging and delusional ex girlfriend (Christina Applegate), his father Stanley (Robert Forster) and of course, the police.
The cast does a uniformly good job in acting out their parts. Christina Applegate shows off her comedy skills yet again, Robert Forster does a good job in his role as a grieving father, and Michael Shannon adds much comedy relief to the grim story. The revelation here is Johnny Knoxville. Knoxville is amazing as the film's protagonist, a man trying to keep a promise, even if it means he's going to wind up in prison. Knoxville gives a very understated, withdrawn performance. Outside, his character is all swagger and bluster, but inside, he's a man driven by guilt and devotion to his friend. Knoxville is the reason to see this film, he is an actor to watch, should he follow up on this with another good movie. He's remnicent of George Clooney, in a way.
Grand Theft Parsons has it's problems, mainly being that it is too short. The film is only 88 minutes. Other than that, it is definitely worth seeing.