The Parole Officer (2001) 6.3
A failed parole officer framed for murder must enlist the help of his former clients to clear his name. Director:John Duigan |
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The Parole Officer (2001) 6.3
A failed parole officer framed for murder must enlist the help of his former clients to clear his name. Director:John Duigan |
|
| 0Share... |
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Steve Coogan | ... |
Simon Garden
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Emma Gilmour | ... |
Secretary
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Susan Jane Tanner | ... |
Stern Woman
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Iain Mitchell | ... |
Tribunal Chairman
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James Smith | ... |
Tribunal Man
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| Om Puri | ... |
George
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| Steven Waddington | ... |
Jeff
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| Ben Miller | ... |
Colin
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| Emma Williams | ... |
Kirsty
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| Stephen Dillane | ... |
Inspector Burton
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Bruce McGregor | ... |
First Policeman
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| Lena Headey | ... |
Emma
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Justin Burrows | ... |
Mills
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Marc Goodhall | ... |
Death /
Student
(as Marc Goodall)
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Clive Kneller | ... |
Deacon
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Failed parole officer Simon Garden (Coogan) is framed for a murder committed by one of Manchester's leading police constables. The only evidence proving his innocence is a CCTV video tape locked inside a bank vault. With the help of four inept ex-criminals and token love interest Emma (Lena Headey), Garden must break into the bank and steal the CCTV footage in order to clear his name. Written by Anon
Best surprise I've had in a long time: funny, sweet, and just well, good. It's not crude, or rude ('cept for a couple of obligatory phallic jokes and a couple of swear words) : it could be Rowan Atkinson in the title role. Here Steve Coogan, for my money, leaves behind the skewering satire and parody that made him a household name and a cult figure on UK television, and by half way through the film develops a character that you root for 100%
Nice storyline, a fun caper, and mixed bag of personalities make this a much better mix than expectations might lead you to believe.
I love Ealing Comedies, and good British comedies like Brassed Off, and thought the recent US remake of the Ladykillers was just about everything you don't want a crime comedy movie to be...
... the thing about the Parole Officer is that it is simply enjoyable; it has great pace, some tension and thrills, good laughs, with enough silliness, and ideas to keep it afloat; but it also has a sweet heart and a decency at its center. We thoroughly enjoyed it: especially the last hour: once Coogan stops trying to prove he can develop figures only to poke fun about - he becomes a really likable character - and that's no bad thing.
It's fun - pure and simple - which is a quality sadly lacking in films these days. Definitely worth viewing.