Movie Review: Paparazzi

Paparazzi

I'll be honest with you. I really had intended to see Vanity Fair this weekend. Oh, sure, if I had time, I'd probably go see Paparazzi, but it was Vanity Fair that was my Labor Day Weekend "must see" movie. Unfortunately, though such stellar offerings as Without a Paddle and the Exorcist prequel continued on local movie screens, and some of this weekend's other new movies (Paparazzi, obviously, as well as Wicker Park) were showing, the largely well received and widely released Vanity Fair was not. I was frankly disappointed before the movie began simply because it was a distant second choice for me. And although Paparazzi turned out to have its moments, it in no way redeemed itself.

Paparazzi is an Italian word coined to refer specifically to those reporters who go above and beyond the call of duty to get their story. Way beyond. We all know these men and women by their work if not by name. That's where most of the car crash photos from the awful accident that killed Princess Diana came from (in fact, some of the paparazzi were initially blamed for that wreck). That's also where the grainy telephoto pictures of overweight stars in bikinis, or of the famous in intensely private moments originate. But the public seems to want to know, and so the photos keep selling.

The paparazzi in the movie are following action star Bo Laramie (Cole Hauser) around. They make up stories to go with the photos they take, and Laramie finds himself apologizing to his wife and son for the invasive attention his newly minted stardom is getting for the young family. When a paparazzi by the name of Rex Harper (Tom Sizemore) goes too far in Larmie's mind by focusing on taking pictures of his young son, he first warns the photographer and then loses his temper when the man continues to shoot. Unfortunately, several other paparazzi are lying in wait and get the altercation on film. Laramie finds himself sentenced to take anger management therapy even as the paparazzi up the ante in retalitation. When they cause an accident that nearly kills his wife and son, Laramie hopes a police investigation, led by a Detective Burton (Dennis Farina), will finally put a stop to their stalking. But when those hopes turn out to be mere wishful thinking, Laramie starts to consider taking matters into his own hands.

One of the producers of Paparazzi is Mel Gibson who has been quoted in interviews as saying that a few of the events in the movie are actually based on some of his own real life experiences with reporters. In all honesty, although I love a good story or photo, I've often sympathized with those who suddenly find themselves in a compromising position on the cover of one tabloid or another. The public does have a right to know, and the press an obligation to provide much of the information. But Paparazzi contends that sometimes the press goes too far, and Paparazzi is right.

Perhaps because this is a subject with which any of us who've ever stood in line at a supermarket are familiar, the story is relatively predictable, and the script is often trite. Cole Hauser is a good looking man who is believable as an action star playing an action star, though his acting is only adequate. Robin Tunney, who plays Hauser's wife in the film, is just okay; Dennis Farina took a little too much from Peter Falk's Columbo to his role to make his detective realistic in his own right. Daniel Baldwin, who plays one of the paparazzi, is just about as slimy as they come - and in this role, that's a compliment. But Tom Sizemore is the standout as a completely obsessed paparazzi bent on destroying the life of the man who got in the way of his attempts to photograph anything and everything in his target's life. Also watch for Mel Gibson in a delightful cameo role, as well as for an utterly unheralded Chris Rock.

In short, Paparazzi is an okay movie. It's mildly entertaining, and has a few unique moments. I don't really regret spending the money on a ticket. But I'm still seriously unhappy that my first choice for a movie just wasn't an option.

POLITICAL NOTES: As the paparazzi stalk Bo Laramie, there are some standard tricks used by them - as well as the vengeful Laramie when he turns the tables - that are all too frequently used by investigators of all kinds including those with crimes on their minds. Most of us know, for example, that we should shred certain kinds of papers before we put them in the trash, but how many of us actually go to the trouble? Watching one character go through another's garbage on screen, however, really brings home just how open we leave ourselves to abuse when we don't follow through. Other events, too, may not serve to provide detailed data for those of us concerned with privacy or crime, but should at the very least be reminders to maintain our vigilance.

FAMILY SUITABILITY: Paparazzi is rated PG-13 for "intense violent sequences, sexual content, and language." It's certainly not suited to the youngest children, but I'd consider the movie okay for those age 12 and up. It doesn't require a lot of intelligence or attention to watch, nor does it have any real redeeming social value (unless you're someone who's paying attention to those political notes); but you may find yourself diverted for a couple of hours which can be a good thing in and of itself.