Partners (2000 TV Movie) User Reviews

Another male bonder.....Not all that bad

[TimeForLime · 5/10 · 13 April 2003]

In brief, this is the same story as MIDNIGHT RUN (1988) with Robert De Niro and Charles Grodin, MY BLUE HEAVEN (1990) with Steve Martin and Rick Moranis, and NOTHING TO LOSE (1997) with Martin Lawrence and Tim Robbins.

It is a story I never get tired of hearing or seeing. Two men from wildly different backgrounds are thrown together. Each distrusts the other. Each believes the other to be nemesis. In some cases, one intends to rob, defraud, or escape from the other.

Then there is bonding. Idealization. Disappointment. Denigration. A second building of trust. Utter mutual dependency. Resolution. And end.

Everything depends on the set up, the chemistry, and the acting. I thought this was well done, considering that everything was B-team. Vanessa Angel did not seem up to her role.

Except for David Paymer, who is certainly NOT B-team. If you saw him in FOCUS (2001) with William H. Macy, you know of David Paymer as an A-team dramatic character actor. Casting him in this film was an odd bit. He held his own.

I wouldn't spend $30 for a DVD of this film but it is a nice 90 minutes while you are doing the laundry or baby sitting (after they have gone to sleep) or hanging out with friends.

Semi-Comic Caper of Twisting Allegiances

[kapecki · 5/10 · 24 March 2003]

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.

Am i really the first one who has seen this??

[Mickey Knox · 5/10 · 18 January 2001]

I can't believe that a movie shown on HBO is so unknown... it actually wasn't that bad either... A scientist dork steals a case containing an extremely valuable informatic program and wants to sell it on the black market. A crook steals it and the 2 of them become partners in taking the plan to an end. And splitting the profit, of course... Pretty good, still dumb sometimes... probably the main reason i watched this film in the first place was because Vanessa Angel's in it. In my humble opinion Vanessa is one of the sexiest and cutest actresses in Hollywood nowadays. Vote: 5 out of 10.

Light hearted thriller/comedy with likable characters.

[dahstra · 5 July 2004]

The cover photo and back cover synopsis made this movie seem like just a drama/thriller, but I was pleasantly surprised that it was a fun comedy! All of the characters have their charming points, and you end up rooting for most of them, even though some are working against each other. There is violence, but it seems laughable because of the way it's treated by the characters. To sum it up, there's a briefcase to be sold, and the original thief of the item, unwillingly gets a partner (Casper), who then unwillingly gets TWO more partners without the FIRST partner's knowledge. This light hearted film is cute and you'll walk away from it with a bit of a grin. Nice work!

silly, stupid farce comedy with violence

[jaybob · 3/10 · 5 October 2002]

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

comic fun, nothing fancy

[emilio-figlio · 8/10 · 9 August 2009]

I enjoyed the movie more than I expected to. Jennifer Lewis turns in very good work in a featured role. I wasn't aware of her before and will watch for some of her other work.

Most people seem to have relaxed expectations for Casper Van Dien's acting ability, since his handsome face and trim figure are probably what usually gets him hired; but I thought his performance in this picture was well above par. Folks who find him extremely attractive will be well rewarded if they stick with the movie through one particular scene.

The various twists of the plot will probably not amaze viewers who like this kind of comic crime movie; none are startlingly original. But the thread held together through the last scene, where there was still at least a little suspense about how the plot would end.

Passable time-waster

[dbrookfield · 27 February 2003]

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?

I adore Casper so my views are alway great

[savagecharmed · 10/10 · 14 July 2003]

I loved this movie, it was not what I was expecting. I watched because Casper was part of the cast, but really enjoyed the movie. I was kept on my toe's, I had no idea of how it would end, but I laughed, and never in my wildest dreams thought that it would end the way it did. A think it is a great movie, and well worth watching, especially if you are a fan of Casper's.

If any hot shot producer ever refused this script once, then he should be so dumb !

[elshikh4 · 25 September 2010]

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.

A comedic looking at being dumb

[clnewman-1 · 3 April 2004]

The best thing about this movie is its characterizations, or even call them "stereotypes" -- not of personalities, but of the various ways of being kinda dumb, or having "no sense at all" in various situations, and how that interplays with trusting someone, letting your guard down.

It was fun to watch, and warmly humorous. It puts characters we all can see the foibles of right in our face, and asks the question of us, as we're watching, "do you think it will be worth it for, say, the Drifter (Van Dien), or his girlfriend (Vanessa Angel) to trust anyone at all? Short-term? long-term?

The plot twists keep you guessing at the film's answer -- yes, no, yes, no, yes, no, yes ... ??? A fun ride.

Not Bad.

[mr_pivac1985 · 16 April 2003]

I can't believe that a movie shown on HBO is so unknown... it actually wasn't that bad either... A scientist dork steals a case containing an extremely valuable informatic program and wants to sell it on the black market. 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.

I would rcommend you watch this film, but do remember that it is B-movie, but quite a good one.

6/10

Forgettable Film

[movieratings03 · 6 June 2006]

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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