VHS : Parting Shots [1999]

Rating: - One of the worst films ever made. Unmissable!
Hmmm tell me - how did Chris Rea's film career do after this film? It sank without trace I think! And rightly so... this is undoubtedly the strangest casting decision in movie history. Or is it? I reckon, as a mate of Michael Winner, he said he would do this for free...

I find Chris Rea as wooden as his Fender Stratocaster when he is doing what he does regularly (i.e. play derivative guitar lines whilst droning nasally) - when acting in this film he goes beyond wood.
But thankfully - miraculously - Chris is so bad that he goes right thru the other side and what you have is a film which is genuinely "so bad, it's good".
I could mention the amazingly bad music choices, the dreadful script and cameos, but I must especially mention the Scooby Doo ending which is so hackneyed and cliched that I am actually in fits of laughter as I write this!
I have to get this on DVD - it is an essential part of my collection. Just as long as you remember you are laughing AT the film and not WITH the film!

---

Rating: - Fun, witty, Ealing comedy style romp
Written by Michael Winner as a vehicle for Chris Rea. It has been noted that MW and CR are friends and while they got talking over tracks CR had written for movies, the idea of this film was born!

Essentially, Harry Sterndale (CR) is informed he has 6 weeks to live! He decides to put his affairs in order! A star studded cast support the untrained Rea in his acting debut. In my opinion he pulls it off fairly well, but then I'm biased because I have all his albums, and think his music is great!

Don't expect any deep hidden meaning in this movie. It's sheer escapism for an hour or so...but it really does shine!

---

Rating: - Witty comedy with flair and style
While Chris Rea is more easily recognised for his music, this colaboration with Michael Winner did not do him any harm. As far as "Pop Stars/Musicians" go, Chris managed to hold his own amongst the professionals. The story line was good too! Poor old Harry only has six weeks to live. In the process of 'bumping off' all those folks who have done him wrong, he falls in love (Falicity Kendell). The sound track is Chris's too.

Well worth the watch if you are either a Chris Rea fan, or a fan of the Stalwarts of British Cinema...John Cleese, Joanna Lumley, Ben Kingsley, Bob Hoskins, Peter Davidson, Gareth Hunt, Oliver Reed...