Parker
Dir: Taylor Hackford
2013
**
The 2013 action thriller Parker is based on a story by author Donald E. Westlake who wrote over twenty novels based on the character. Westlake was rather protective of his character and although a couple of the books in the series were adapted into film (Point Blank 1967, Payback 199), the film makers were never allowed to use the Parker name unless they agreed to adapt every novel in the series. After Westlake's death in 2008 the rights were bought from his wife for one of the novels under the agreement that if it was successful, the rest of the series would be considered. Les Alexander was a friend of Westlakes and had good intentions but this version just doesn't work for very good reason. Firstly, it is nothing like the novel. Secondly, as much as I like Jason Statham, he just wasn't right for the role. After a string of below average action films, it is impossible not to see beyond the actor rather than the character. Add an embarrassingly pointless performance from Jennifer Lopez and an unimpressive supporting cast (the great Bobby Cannavale being completely wasted) and what you are left with is a fairly unconvincing story. Nick Nolte is a big name for the poster but again, plays no important part in the story and the fact that he looks more like a swollen cartoon version of himself is unnecessarily distracting. The plot is beyond convoluted. It's hard to believe this is a Taylor Hackford film, the fact that he has said he intended it to be his first film noir makes me wonder if there were some serious issues in the production. Too many producers and not enough creativity, it's a 'seen it all before' and 'seen better' film to put it mildly. Does Jennifer Lopez have a nudity clause in her contract? By 2013 is was about time this sort of film grew up.