Partners (2000)

I enjoyed the movie more than I expected to. Jennifer Lewis turns in very good work in a featured role. I wasn't aware of her before and will watch for some of her other work. Most people seem to have relaxed expectations for Casper Van Dien's acting ability, since his handsome face and trim figure are probably what usually gets him hired; but I thought his performance in this picture was well above par. Folks who find him extremely attractive will be well rewarded if they stick with the movie through one particular scene. The various twists of the plot will probably not amaze viewers who like this kind of comic crime movie; none are startlingly original. But the thread held together through the last scene, where there was still at least a little suspense about how the plot would end.

The cover photo and back cover synopsis made this movie seem like just a drama/thriller, but I was pleasantly surprised that it was a fun comedy! All of the characters have their charming points, and you end up rooting for most of them, even though some are working against each other. There is violence, but it seems laughable because of the way it's treated by the characters. To sum it up, there's a briefcase to be sold, and the original thief of the item, unwillingly gets a partner (Casper), who then unwillingly gets TWO more partners without the FIRST partner's knowledge. This light hearted film is cute and you'll walk away from it with a bit of a grin. Nice work!

In brief, this is the same story as MIDNIGHT RUN (1988) with Robert De Niro and Charles Grodin, MY BLUE HEAVEN (1990) with Steve Martin and Rick Moranis, and NOTHING TO LOSE (1997) with Martin Lawrence and Tim Robbins.It is a story I never get tired of hearing or seeing. Two men from wildly different backgrounds are thrown together. Each distrusts the other. Each believes the other to be nemesis. In some cases, one intends to rob, defraud, or escape from the other.Then there is bonding. Idealization. Disappointment. Denigration. A second building of trust. Utter mutual dependency. Resolution. And end.Everything depends on the set up, the chemistry, and the acting. I thought this was well done, considering that everything was B-team. Vanessa Angel did not seem up to her role.Except for David Paymer, who is certainly NOT B-team. If you saw him in FOCUS (2001) with William H. Macy, you know of David Paymer as an A-team dramatic character actor. Casting him in this film was an odd bit. He held his own.I wouldn't spend $30 for a DVD of this film but it is a nice 90 minutes while you are doing the laundry or baby sitting (after they have gone to sleep) or hanging out with friends.

I can't believe that a movie shown on HBO is so unknown... it actually wasn't that bad either... A scientist dork steals a case containing an extremely valuable informatic program and wants to sell it on the black market. A crook steals it and the 2 of them become partners in taking the plan to an end. And splitting the profit, of course... Pretty good, still dumb sometimes... probably the main reason i watched this film in the first place was because Vanessa Angel's in it. In my humble opinion Vanessa is one of the sexiest and cutest actresses in Hollywood nowadays. Vote: 5 out of 10.