User reviews

what went wrong with this movie? - some great actors, interesting plot, superb music... but what came out was just plain boring. well, take away the fact that Chris Rea really is no actor at all, it must have been the really bad directing and camera work... even a student movie might contain better pictures... I liked Ben Kingsley - as always he shows a great piece of acting here. I just wonder why he would work with such a horrible director who seemed to just finished his first TV movie... it's really sad because chris rea brings over some decent black British humour but still, something is badly missing...

Parting Shots was not the greatest film in the world i admit, but a great cast made it extremely watchable and fun! Oliver Reed was a particular delight as the hit-man stalking Chris Rea's central character! Another highpoint of the film (though only on screen very briefly) was the sexy Nicola Bryant playing a deliciously underwear-clad prostitute! Hmmmmmmm.......

This movie was horrible. Sure there are worse films but no film in recent history has wasted a better cast than this and that is why I rate it so low. Cleese, Kingsley, Lumley,Hoskins and frickin Oliver Reed! plus Diana Rigg!!!! this thing has a dream cast!... I was gobsmacked by the director's (Michael Winner) ability to convince talent to be in this thing- he must have some sort of hypno-mind control superpower or something because if the film is a legitimate representation of the script then you'd need mind control to get any sane person to commit. then there's poor Chris Rea, a true first timer with a single, pathetic mode of delivery. he struggles with the inane material as best he can but never actually hits more than this one note. He may have actually had a shot at a career if someone with a little directing skill had helped him out! This is one of those prime examples of "it ain't how good you are it's who you know." and Michael Winner seems to know a lot of people.

I watched this film at the cinema and there was one other person present besides my friend, and the film showed for just one week everywhere, so obviously it didn't take much money, and rightly so, it's not a good film. When you have the film's director on a TV advert pleading with you to the camera to go and see his film, you know you're in trouble. Chris Rea has not got a future in acting. He is so dull and bland and has the same facial expression all the time, whatever the circumstances, and the rest of the cast are perfunctory. It is like an old 70s English comedy, but not funny, and it's a shame Oliver Reed had to go out in a film like this.

Just watched the film on tape and to be honest I quite liked it. I enjoyed all the cameo performances from many many good British actors and actresses. I don't really see what all the negative comments are coming from.OK its not Fawlty Towers or Rising Damp but as a black comedy film with no great pretensions it is perfectly watchable and enjoyable. Some VERY nice looking girls in it too,especially Nicola Bryant in all too small a role. Why this film is never seen on TV I have no idea.There is no swearing in it,a modest amount of bra and panties and little if any gratuitous over the top violence.In fact unless you have cancer the film is just a bit of fun with a 'happy' ending.

I saw this film on its UK cinema release and couldn't believe just how stupendously bad it was. I'm not saying its the worst film i've ever seen but i can't believe it was ever given a theatrical release.

Chris Rea gives it his best but he's a pop star, not an actor and it shows. Somehow Michael Winner squanders an otherwise very good cast (Oliver Reed, Ben Kingsley, John Cleese, Felicity Kendall, etc etc etc)in what could have been a half decent film if the script had been better. It doesn't help that the directing is dreadfully clumsy at times and the film obviously had a very tight budget. There are continuity errors galore, and an appalling scene where a major character is shot but the sound has obviously been dubbed on as there is no muzzle flash, no smoke and no 'kick' from the obviously empty prop gun (maybe the budget wouldn't run to a blank firing pistol!).

To Winner's credit, he's tried to do a sort of 1990's Ealing comedy type film but he's made a dreadful hash of it. He's managed to persuade a top draw cast of famous and talented actors (look how many MBE's, OBE's, Knights and Dames are in the cast list) but has failed to give them a finished film that justifies the talent on show. At the time of writing, this was the last film that Winner directed (and that was 7 years ago!). If this does turn out to be Winner's swansong then it would be a sad footnote to what was once a promising career.

Overall this film wastes the opportunity it was presented with but it might have some curiosity value for people who thought 'Bullseye' was Winner's worst film.

Oh, to be a film critic.

To be able to make pompous, uninformed statements about anything created by Michael Winner.

Critic I am not, neither am I a blinkered devotee of Mr. Winner, but I loved this movie.

Lots of fun from beginning to end, with Chris Rea as an understatedly bewildered and reluctant serial killer and with Felicity Kendal as his less than innocent accomplice.

Unfavourable comparisons have been made with 'Kind Hearts & Coronets' but those of us who love the Ealing comedies are by no means uncomfortable with 'Parting Shots'; it maintains a ruthless tradition.

Mr. Winner also borrows freely from his own greatest movie, 'The Jokers' (1967) in certain scenes, and the presence of Oliver Reed reinforces that sense of history.

'Parting Shots' is a very funny movie with a great cast, all of whom do their stuff excellently.

This film is moving into the territory where they start to become interesting again, because they are so awful. On paper this looks like a great cast. Many of these people have carried terrific films and/or TV shows. But here it all goes west due to two major culprits - the direction and the music. Bad direction is nothing new, but music this bad, so utterly innapropriate, so undynamic, so clumsy have I rarely heard. The whole film is infected with this musak-like mire of dross that fails to accentuate anything. Someone gets killed - the strings drone on. No key change, no brass, no drums - nothing. At times it's almost like they have lifted the music from another film and not bothered to re-clip it to fit the action (little such that there is).

The direction I blame for making a talented cast look like a bunch of kids making a school play, on their second last show. There is no spark, no enthusiasm (except for Cleese who really seems to be trying), and absolutely no communication with the audience.

The only reason I gave it three rather than one in the rating here is a nice plot twist at the end (and not the entirely expected one that also happened) and one quite funny scene with Ben Kingsley as a wildly ego-tripping chef.

Avoid!

Not perfect and - yes - Chris Rea is too bland and monotone but this is a highly entertaining film. Harry - told by his doctor that he's got terminal stomach cancer, goes out on a murdering spree. (People who have injured him in the past). All of the people he kills are "makes your skin crawl" real scum bags. I thought the film was WELL worth watching and I - for the life of me - can't understand why so many people are bagging it. Do try and get "A jolly bad fellow", this is a 1964 film and is a little similar to Parting Shots. Diana Rigg plays the callous, materialistic, poodle loving ex-wife of Harry. Bob Hoskins plays the low life slime ball crooked financier and Joanna Lumley plays a existentialist ex hippy wine bar owner, with extreme moral flexibility. This film is almost a Who's Who of British movie actors. See the film, you'll love it. Ian Rivlin, Australia

This really is quite an entertaining romp. The cast is 'all-star' from a British perspective and generally put to good use. It's not laugh out loud funny but it is fun. The general idea of bumping off those who've upset you in life when you know you're going to die is a nice one. It got me thinking about my 'list' anyhow! I guess as a Micael Winner film it could be seen as a kind of comedy 'Death Wish'!. Oliver Reed is particularly good fun as a world-weary assassin. Chris Rea in the lead role is not at all bad in a down-beat kind of way and it's a mild surprise that we've not seen him in anything else since (at least I haven't). I don't think you'd be disappointed if you see this film.

Michael Winner has produced some turkeys in his time but this one really takes the biscuit. Why these great actors took part in the project I can only guess.

Do not go to see or rent this movie!

While it lacks the urgency and poetic beauty of "Dirty Weekend", "Parting Shots" is a competent black comedy which never fails to entertain, and in parts, titillate.

Chris Rea [far superior an actor to his namesake Stephen Rea] gives a solid and effective performance as a decent guy who is told that his life is coming to end. The love scenes with Felicity Kendal aka Barbara Good are magnificent and the presence of the two expensive, beautiful and stylish call girls considerably enhances the film.

A success.

6/10

As strange as it might seem I can see Parting Shots becoming something of a cult classic. It's by no means a quality film, but there is something about it which is rather endearing, if not slightly bizarre and off beat.

The plot is in principle both original and funny, alas it wasn't realised to its full potential.

That said the truly all star British cast is enough to keep this film moving along at a steady, wistful pace.

Thewonderful Chris Rea got panned for his performance in the movie, but given that it was his first proper shot in front of the camera I thought he was actually quite good. And let's be honest there is no way he is the worst actor in the world - that accolade remains with Steven Seagal.

On one of those rainy days if you want a chortle, and something to chill out to with a glass of wine then do give this film a chance. Its not a classic, it's no blockbuster but you might just be pleasantly surprised.

One hopes that Chris Rea will pursue acting further, he was a little wooden in this, but enjoyable all the same. Felicity Kendall is sexy and fun, Bob Hoskins and John Cleese shine in their cameo roles as does Gurkha sweetheart Joanna Lumley. Peter Davidson is his usual reliable self but the best performance has to go to Oliver Reed who was simply fantastic.

All round not bad little Brit flick, by no means as shoddy as some would have you believe - go watch it!!!

I really don't get it why so many people are so critical about this film. I really liked the easy-going way this film was done - not taking things too seriously. Most of the time I really liked how the cast acted - it wasn't coldly theatrical (which I hate), but instead warm and simple. Yes, there were some bad patches here and there. John Cleese especially was a disappointment - way below what I would hope from him. But in general, it was a great feel-good movie, got a lot of laughs out of this one.

I had stumbled in that movie 20-25 years ago sitting at home switching a channels. And it dragged me in. It was fun and easy. After reading reviews here i realized that not many people agree with me.

And most of critic aimed on wasting of great cast, while lead actor lacks of acting skills. As for me, it wasn't that annoying. I was surprised to see Chris Rea in a movie, but not disappointing. He did fine job representing a shy middle age man that faced bunch of harsh circumstances.

Rest of cast is doing alright making not their best, but decent roles.

Movie doesn't look like a timeless masterpiece that someone would expect from such famous actors. But it's pretty neat, adorable, comfy, bit dark comedy.

I liked it. Even my nickname on IMDb taken from it.

More power to the genius that is Michael Winner. He is so far ahead of the game it is incredible. In `Shots' he has managed to create the first cult film of the next millennium. No one likes this film at all, but there is a huge enjoyment to be had by anyone who views it with an open mind. I for one look forward to his next movie.

I thought that Parting Shots was a superb film. Not only was it an extremely original, witty script but the acting on display was of the finest calibre. (Chris Rea in particular) Rea is not only a talented singer and musician but showed here that he can excel an actor when working with material of the highest quality. Winner has shown yet again that he is a master of his trade. Best Bit:- Has to be the shooting on the moor. Well choreographed, and very believable.

Hi, I have seen the film last week and I have to say it is a wonderful movie. I really enjoyed it. I think Chris Rea is a very good actor it was a great thing to see him. But I am wondering why the film is not popular. There is no promotion for it, it is a shame.

Thanks to Michael Winner to give us a chance to see Chris like an actor his talent is immense is very good to see Chris acting with great others actors...the sense of humor of Britain is present in this picture a bitter sweet history of a revenge. Despite Chris Rea make his fame like a great singer, writer and a hero of slide guitar he gave us a very good acting in this movie like a man who try to revenge of people who made his life a hell. Thanks to my friends who gives me a opportunity to see this movie in Brazil. I think this film not gave a lot of money to his producers but if there are only two persons to see this movie one certainly are me. Rafa.

Foremost in my mind when approaching Parting Shots was the fact that I had never seen a Michael Winner film before. Nope, not even Death Wish. I was aware of his reputation, though. Tory, tabloid columnist, worst director ever, restaurant critic (most pointless occupation ever). Bearing all this in mind, I was confidently expecting to begin this review with the words, "Michael Winner must die."

But... no can do. It's not that Parting Shots is any good - it's certainly pretty weak stuff, by any standards. It's just that it's nowhere near as unwatchably awful as so many have insisted. I've seen any number of films this year alone that are far worse than this, and the film's dated, 70's cheesiness has a certain naive appeal. Besides, any director who can get John Cleese, Bob Hoskins, Joanna Lumley, Oliver Reed and Diana Rigg, to name but a few, to appear in material of this (sub)standard must have something going for him, surely?

Parting Shots isn't the worst film ever. It's not even the worst film ever to star Bob Hoskins. It's just an utterly harmless instance of a bunch of ageing luvvies getting together, having a few laughs, and making a little film to show the grandkids. Not a menace, just an irrelevance, so ignore it and it'll soon go away.

Parting Shots is a great film! Harry is a failed photographer, who has been treated badly all his life, but when he finds out he has cancer and only has six weeks to live-things change. The doctor tells him to put his affairs in order, which is exactly what he does. He gets his own back on the people who have made his life a misery. There's a twist at the end which is a great ending that leaves you guessing. Joanna Lumley steels the show with her amazing performance in this fun, well written, well directed and brilliantly casted movie.