![The Parole Officer [DVD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/417JG1AXREL.jpg)
Product Description DVD Special Features: Making of Feature--22 minutes Atomic Kitten Promo "Eternal Flame" Hidden bonus scene (Easter Egg) Commentary featuring Steve Coogan (Writer & Star), Henry Normal (Co-writer), John Duigan (Director) and Duncan Kenworthy (Producer) Deleted Scenes--six separate scenes, eight minutes of unseen footage, with optional commentary From .co.uk Although there are one or two belly laughs along the way, for the most part The Parole Officer gets by on the pleasantly old-fashioned charm of a latter-day Ealing comedy. And despite a handful of gross-out moments (involving a roller coaster at Blackpool, a severed head and a wasp) most of the humour comes from the interaction of a good ensemble cast. Its the first big-screen vehicle for Steve Coogan, who plays the titular officer as a watered-down, more likeable version of his most famous creation, Alan Partridge. After being set up by a corrupt detective Coogans hapless Simon Garden--in fact always identified as a Probation Officer, so presumably the films title is an attempt to attract a transatlantic audience--must recruit a motley gang of his ex-con clients to plan and execute a bank robbery in Manchester. Indeed, one of the films principal attractions is its affectionate use of that city centre as a setting instead of the more usual seedy London locations of most British caper-comedies.Coogans gang are a familiarly dysfunctional bunch, redeemed by sympathetic performances from, notably, Om Puri as irascible serial bigamist George and the young Emma Williams as serial car thief Kirsty. Not enough effort goes into fleshing out the characters, though, and in particular Lena Headey as Coogans policewoman girlfriend is far too thinly sketched to seem convincing. However, much fun is had by all as the team bond, bicker and construct, A Team-style, the tools they need for the big heist. The bank raid itself is the films highlight and features a surprising deus ex machina appearance from a very distinguished guest star. If The Parole Officer never stretches to the sublime heights (or psychological depths) of Im Alan Partridge, it does play out in a brisk 90 minutes like an extended episode of Coogans Run; which is to say its got plenty of easygoing charm even if it never pushes any boundaries.On the DVD: the handful of extra features include a surprisingly serious commentary from Coogan, cowriter Henry Normal, director John Duigan and producer Duncan Kenworthy. More interesting is the handful of deleted scenes, in which we find that some precious character development was sacrificed in the interests of pace (as well as a couple of perfectly good jokes). There's a 22-minute featurette, which isn't really a "making of" but just a series of interviews with the principal cast, plus the trailer and Atomic Kitten's "Eternal Flame" video. The picture is a good anamorphic (16:9) ratio with Dolby 5.1 sound. --Mark Walker
S**N
Fun film
I bought this dvd 📀 to add to my collection
M**P
A Much Underrated Film
This a lovely film about a well meaning parole officer uncovering police corruption following a grisly murder. With Steve Coogan, Ben Miller and Omar Sharif in the cast its a great ensemble piece. A tale of redemption. Do give it a watch.
N**N
Far from Ealing!
Some one described this as an Ealing type comedy. Ealing comedies, as far as I recall, did not pander to american audiences. There is a scene in this film where they appear to be running up, or down, an external fire escape, I've never seen an external fire escape attached to any building in the UK, please correct me if I'm wrong, in america these are ubiquitous!!!At the end of the film there appears to be a bloke dancing on stage wearing an american police officers uniform??It seems to be endemic, within films these days, to cater for the american market. Although this film has it's comic moments it is spoiled, for me at least, because it is so obviously pandering to the people across the pond, as are so many home grown films, and it is such a shame. It's all down to money, as usual.Ealing comedy it isn't. Even Peter Sellers, like most prominent actors, were seduced by the dollar, eventually!! Coogan is no different, funny man or not!!It is after all called the parole officer, no such job title exists within the UK!!The UK, 53rd state of america, very sad to see it happening in the film industry, but it seems like it's the only place that funding exists for film makers.The film industry in the UK appears to have died and gone to LA a long time ago!
P**U
Family fun
Funny story line great cast
D**R
Not my usual cup of tea but...
... Ben Miller is in it. Enough said. That man can steal a scene like nobody's business while making it look effortless. Don't switch off until you've watched the credits. Trust me.
M**E
4.5 stars - great british comedy
If you like Partrdige or Coogans run, you'll like this. If you like good English comedy films such as The Full Monty or Jonny English, then you'll love this, as its one of the best Ive seen in the last few years. The plot is basically a social worker who see's the good in others and has to fight his former employer over possession of a video tape that will send him to jail where he belongs. Its a great cast and a fantastic script, and Coogan is on top form, so buy it now while its on such a great offer!
M**D
a different bank job
really funny film ,with a good story line .why is Steve coogan not more highly rated as on actor?.watch as Coogan gets a team together to break into the bank vault ,and steal a security tape , that proves he is innocent, and the local police chief is corrupt .
C**E
Hilarious
Very very funny. Do not normally think of Steve Coogan being a heart throb, but there is a little bit of romance in this as well as a good romp. A really good English comedy, all the best parts of being British with recognisable scenery, and many laugh out loud moments.
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