Parker at the Movies

January 29th, 2013 by Max Allan Collins

Most people checking in with me here know that I was a big fan and later friend of Donald E. Westlake. In fact, Don was a mentor who helped me get my first novel, BAIT MONEY, into print. This was especially gracious considering that my Nolan character is so blatantly derived from his Parker.

Parker novels have been the source for a number of films, notably POINT BLANK (a ‘60s classic), THE OUTFIT, THE SPLIT and PAYBACK (in two versions). There have been several foreign adaptations as well, including a Jean Luc Godard travesty. Fans of the novels Don wrote as “Richard Stark” tend to be pretty hard on these films, though POINT BLANK is generally revered. Don never allowed Parker to be called “Parker” in any of the movies (Lee Marvin plays “Walker” in POINT BLANK) to guard against unwanted sequels.

Now, for the first time, a film uses the name Parker – in fact, it’s called PARKER. The title is probably the worst thing about this strong, tough little crime movie. Parker is a cult character and all of the fans of the books couldn’t fill enough theaters to make a ripple. So why would you call the movie PARKER? Maybe for whatever stupid reason that somebody decided to call a movie JACK REACHER. Those aren’t movie titles, they’re suicide notes.

Barb and I love the over-the-top TRANSPORTER and CRANK movies with Jason Statham, but almost nothing else he’s made is worth a damn. PARKER is. It’s very tough, with plenty of action, but also the kind of character bits that represent the oddball humans who (in the novels) often drift into Parker’s orbit (represented here chiefly by a real estate agent, well-played by Jennifer Lopez). Many touches reveal the director and screenwriter are familiar with the Parker novels in general – Parker calls his heist victims by their first names to put them at ease, he is loyal to his girl friend Claire despite temptations otherwise, he operates by a code that is harsh but fair, and he shows little if any emotion. The screenplay is a fairly faithful rendition of the Parker novel FLASHFIRE, with some POINT BLANK elements stirred in. It’s not the classic POINT BLANK that is, though PARKER is ultimately more like the novels than that great film. The only other Parker movie to rival PARKER is THE OUTFIT with Robert Duvall.

However…PARKER was disliked by many critics, and apparently did only mediocre business on its opening weekend (the audience we saw it with loved it, even applauding at the end). And a good share of the hardcore Parker fans are unhappy with the film. Check this out at the Violent World of Parker site, and be sure to read my comments.

Two other quick notes. We also saw HANSEL AND GRETEL: WITCH HUNTERS. Why did we go? I get cabin fever, working on a book (and I have just started THE WRONG QUARRY), and have to get out and do something – in Muscatine, Iowa, a movie is pretty much it. The reviews have been dismal, though seem to have been written by people who either haven’t seen the movie or had already decided their opinion of it before doing so. One of the producers is Will Ferrell, which indicates that a lot of reviewers are not understanding what audiences seem to: it’s spoof. It’s a comedy. Not an unintentional comedy, but a send-up of all these dumb serious “fairy tale” movies like RED HIDING HOOD. It’s a combo of EVIL DEAD and RESIDENT EVIL. If you like either or both of those, you will probably enjoy this one.

A final movie note: I loved (and still do) RUSHMORE by director Wes Anderson. But virtually everything he’s done since has seemed precious and disorganized to me, and I really, really hated THE FANTASTIC MR. FOX. But my son and his smart wife encouraged me to take a look at MOONRISE KINGDOM. I did, and they are right – it is a wonderful movie that would have been high on my best of 2012 list, had I seen it sooner. It is precious – or, as some smarty-pants critics like to say, “twee” – but it’s also charming and a very well-plotted, beautifully characterized story of young love. Funny as hell, too. Also the best boy scout movie ever made – even better than HENRY ALDRICH, BOY SCOUT (and those who know me well will understand that this is not sarcasm, but high praise).

The positive reviews about SEDUCTION OF THE INNOCENT just keep rolling in, I’m pleased to say. Like this one from the always insightful Craig Clarke.

And this short sweet write-up.

Plus this even shorter and sweeter one.

On the other hand, there’s this generally positive, amusingly written but patronizing review. Could we please ban the use of the pretentious term “trope”? But if we do use it, can we please not affix needless adjectives like “well-worn”? And can reviewers quit apologizing for liking something?

Finally, here’s a pleasant surprise – a late review of the first Nate Heller JFK trilogy novel, BYE BYE, BABY.

M.A.C.

Tags: , , , , , ,

11 Responses to “Parker at the Movies”

  1. Gerard Saylor says:

    I am quite glad to hear that a new Quarry novel will be coming.

  2. I’m glad to hear that PARKER(like you, I hate that title) is pretty good. I’ll have to wait for DVD or Cable on demand. My disability makes getting me into and out of a theater more trouble than I wish to inflict on anyone.

    Also glad to hear about another Quarry.

  3. Terry Beatty says:

    I’ll take the money you saved me by arming me away from Gangster Squad and catch Parker instead. It’ll have to be soon, if I want to see it in a theater, as I suspect it’ll be gone fast.

    Glad you liked Moonrise Kingdom — one of my favorites from last year. I know people who HATED it, but I loved every peculiar minute of it.

  4. Terry Beatty says:

    “Warning,” not “arming!” Geez, I really need to turn off my autocorrect — it’s incorrect more than it’s correct.

  5. Dave618 says:

    I don’t always agree with MAC’s movie reviews, but I certainly agree with his review of Parker. Parker is my favorite fictional character (along with Travis McGee) and although this film does have it’s flaws (and what film doesn’t?) I thought it was one of the better Parker adaptations. I hope it does enough business to warrant a sequel. And considering Statham films are a big draw overseas, a sequel is very possible.

    And my day–nay, my week–has been made knowing MAC is working on a new Quarry. Quarry is my favorite MAC creation.

  6. I appreciate these comments, and especially the encouraging ones about me starting a new Quarry. I am working away at it, on a very tight schedule.

    By the way, Dave, it pains me to hear you do not always agree with my movie reviews. I thought it was universally accepted that I was the final word on the subject.

  7. Paul.Griffith says:

    Max, since you have already written the Last Quarry and all others will be in between First and Last, are there any plans for another Mallory? I loved the series and especially enjoyed the Bouchercon episode “Kill Your Darlings” and also “A Shroud for Aquarius” and “The Baby Blue Rip-Off” and “No Cure for Death” and…who am I kidding? I loved all five novels!!! Glad to hear of the new Quarry and looking forward to the release of the third installment of the Kennedy trilogy with Nathan Heller. (Who, by the way, is the greatest P.I. since Mike Hammer.)

  8. John Hocking says:

    Well, the news of another Quarry got me to de-lurk and sign up so as to post on the site.
    Quarry is powerful that way.
    C’mon Max, throw us a bone. Where in the saga does this one fit? What sort of antagonist is going to be foolish enough to cross him this time?
    I’m fond of all your work, but the Quarry novels are truly some of the best American hardboiled writing since the 1950’s. A new one is always like a shot of top shelf bourbon– I tell myself I’m going to savor it but slam the thing down anyway.

  9. I will talk about THE WRONG QUARRY on this week’s update (posted Tuesday morning).

    All this love for Quarry is nice to hear. Of course, he is a very lovable guy.

  10. we appreciate you for the info recently i identified http://www.supplementadvisor.org was in fact giving free of charge bottles of dietary supplements