MOVIE REVIEW FOR "PAPARAZZI" STARRING COLE HAUSER, TOM SIZEMORE, AND DENNIS
FARINA

This film is every actor's dream come true. Gwyneth Paltrow, Sean Penn, and
Russell Crowe are among those who would gladly step into the shoes of the lead
character in this film, and never feel guilty about it. However, a lot of
A-List actors, including Tom Cruise and Sean Penn, turned this role down,
evidently due to some problems they had with both the script and the director.
I can see why. This script is a hodgepodge of cliches, scenes from other motion
pictures, and references to other paparazzi related incidents, including the
Princess Diana tragedy within the England tunnel. So, in terms of an all around
great film, "Paparazzi" fails on numerous levels in numerous ways. However, as
an entertaining popkorn flick, this one wasn't so bad.

Cole Hauser (in his first leading role) stars as Bo Laramie, the newest
Hollywood superhunk, who is suppose to evidently be a take-off on either Tom
Cruise or Mel Gibson, probably Gibson since his company did produce the film.
Bo is not your typical action superstar. He doesn't go clubbing for days at a
time, doesn't like to do much publicity, and always has time for his family.
Whereas most actors have to take time off to do the things done in this film --
like take their son to a soccer game -- Bo manages to do these and find time to
be the biggest thing in Hollywood. Tom Sizemore stars as Rex Harper, a member
of the paparazzi who will stop at nothing to get everything he can concerning
Bo, even it that means harassing him and almost killing his entire family in a
vehicle crash that eerily resembles the Princess Diana tragedy. Once Rex almost
kills Bo's family, that's when the whoop ass commences, with Bo exacting revenge
on all the paparazzi who did him wrong. Yes, !
whether you thought so or not, "Paparazzi" is a total revenge flick. Dennis
Farina co-stars as Detective Burton, who is tried with the situation.

There are several things that do not work in this picture. First off, the
paparazzi are exaggerated to a spectacular degree in this film. If there were a
member of the paparazzi half as evil as Tom Sizemore's character, he would long
since be in prison somewhere. Secondly, the filmmakers try to make you see how
different Bo is from the normal celebrities, though this is also exaggerated.
No celebrity has time to juggle such a wholesome family life with their movie
career in such a seemless manner. Third, Dennis Farina is wasted on a role that
could have been written out altogether. This guy is one of the greatest actors
of our time and he is reduced to playing second fiddle to Hauser and Sizemore.
Finally, the cameos are ridiculous. This is not the type of film where Chris
Rock, Vince Vaughn, and Mel Gibson need to be popping up -- those are for
comedies and "Paparazzi" is anything but a comedy.

Despite the many flaws associated with this film, "Paparazzi" is highly
entertaining. Watching people exact revenge on other people make us extremely
happy as an audience. I remember the joy I felt when Liam Neeson finally killed
Tim Roth at the end of "Rob Roy", having killed his friends and raped his wife.
It was a sweet feeling and I absolutely loved it. And, for some reason, Mel
Gibson has a soft spot for revenge flicks -- if you'll remember, he starred in
"Payback", one of the ultimate revenge flicks of all-time. Not to mention, Cole
Hauser does a pretty convincing job as Bo Laramie. In his first starring role,
he shows that he does have the depth and range for a continued career in
Hollywood. It is unfortunate, however, that the script was not better. Tom
Sizemore is also as evil as ever in his role as Rex Harper. If he does end up
in prison, it will be a sad day for character actors everywhere.

As a whole, "Paparazzi" gets my recommendation because it is entertaining to a
spectacular degree and manages to make revenge even sweeter than it was before.
Don't go into the theatre expecting to be dazzled, because you will be
disappointed. As long as you go in expecting your money's worth, everything
should be okay. Oh, and for all of you Mel Gibson worshippers -- how odd that
he would go from a film about the final hours in the life of Jesus Christ to a
film about a celebrity seeking vengeance on all the media that did him wrong.
No so saintly anymore, is he? Truth be told, I enjoyed "Paparazzi" more than
"The Passion of the Christ". I didn't keep thinking I was going to get
splattered with blood and guts.

Cole Hauser (Bo Laramie)
Tom Sizemore (Rex Harper)
Dennis Farina (Detective Burton)
Robin Tunney (Abby Laramie)
Daniel Baldwin (Wendell Stokes)
Tom Hollander (Leonard Clark)

Director: Paul Abascal

RATED PG-13

TWO AND A HALF POPS

Billy Ray