MovieChat Forums > Grand Theft Parsons (2004) Discussion > Awful and embarassing...

Awful and embarassing...

posted 18 years ago by JB7000
5 replies | jump to latest

This movie is a crock. I wasn't expecting much, but I couldn't believe how bad it was. Okay - the theft of his corpse by his best friend Phil Kaufman - that's a great story albeit under tragic circumstances, but a great story nevertheless, and one that should have accompanied about the last quarter of a movie about Gram's ENTIRE life rather than ninety minutes of King Jackass and the WORST hippie caracature ever put on screen bumbling around like it was "Weekend at Bernies".

The director, the screenwriter, everyone involved should be embarassed.

Johnny Knoxville's only good when he's getting shot in the stomach with beanbag projectiles or attempting to jump something on a rocket skateboard and falling on his face.

The only saving grace was every square inch of Christina Applegate.

If anyone wants to know anything about Gram Parsons, first, start with his music, then read "Hickory Wind" by Ben Fong-Torres, and hopefully somewhere down the road his memory will be preserved accordingly with a better movie instead of having this amateur-hour production as a farewell piece. If you're already a fan, and you stick up for this BS, then maybe you should consider having your head checked for brain damage.

[–] jdrysdale 18 years ago

The vast majority of critisism we had about this film comes from Gram Parsons fans who wanted - as you seem to - a documentary about Gram's life, rather than a film (especially a comedy) about what happened after his death.

There are plenty of books about the man, and a number of great documentaries about his contribution to music. This was never meant to be about Gram at all, but is a story of friendship, loyalty and honor, all of which are/were illustrated by Phil Kaufman, Gram's best friend.

I would agree with you that if you want to know about Gram, start with his music and then read the Fong-Torres book. How about if you don't want to learn about Gram, but would like to enjoy a (mostly) true story about what one man is prepared to do in order to keep his word to his friend, then don't listen to the music or read 'Hickory Wind', but watch 'Grand Theft Parsons'?

jd.

[–] WarpedRecord 18 years ago

I'm a big Gram Parsons fan, and I plan to see the documentary about his life that just came out. But I must say I think "Grand Theft Parsons" was a decent film. I gave it a 7, so I voted with the plurality of IMDB voters.

I think Johnny Knoxville is a decent actor, though he was better in "A Crying Shame" and "The Ringer" than here. I think the film was beautifully photographed, and the script was passable but a bit cliched.

The weakest link in my book was Christina Applegate's character. She had the worst lines in the film, and she's not a strong enough actress to rise above bad dialogue.

[–] GypsyMinivan 18 years ago

I think the weakest link is the whole idea that ANYTHING Phil Kaufman said would warrant any expectations at all. OF COURSE it wasn't going to tell a story of Gram. It's about PHIL. Not only that, it's pretty much a story about Phil by Phil. Why go looking for truth there? Kudos to the man for keeping a promise to his friend. Shame on him for using it as his one and only Claim To Fame. His 15 minutes were up a looooong time ago.

[–] ragamuffin_8 18 years ago

Soooooooo true.

[–] trapdoorstudios 18 years ago

erm, 1 and only claim to fame???? He was the rolling stones manager, then grams... and good friends with keith richards and gram.

This is one of those stories that you couldn't make up without it sounding ridiculous, but it happened. Maybe not exactly as depicted, but still... real life is stranger than fiction.