On Parole (The Parole Officer (DVD))

Member Name: xBorgx

Product:	The Parole Officer (DVD)
Date:	18/09/09 (55 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great British Comedy

Disadvantages: Some silliness...

The Parole Officer

Year of Release - 2001

Certificate 12

Full Cast:

Steve Coogan .... Simon Garden
Emma Gilmour .... Secretary
Susan Jane Tanner .... Stern Woman
Iain Mitchell .... Tribunal Chairman
James Smith .... Tribunal Man
Om Puri .... George
Steven Waddington .... Jeff
Ben Miller .... Colin
Emma Williams .... Kirsty
Stephen Dillane .... Inspector Burton
Bruce McGregor .... Policeman
Lena Headey .... Emma

Every so often British cinema goers are given a very 'British' comedy film to go and see. One that may or may not install a feeling of pride in one's country, one to discuss with friends over a beer or at work. To marvel at how well the writers have done, or how badly the actors have acted. This film is one that falls into the 'great to be British' category. It stars our very own Steve Coogan (best know as Alan Partridge - the jerk of a DJ on BBC2) and it was co written by him too. It is not brilliant, but it is great, in the sense that it does not let you down and remains pretty original through out.

Simon Garden (Coogan) is a probation officer not too good at his job. His current client is persistent offender Kirsty and she is up on a drug and motoring charge. She claims to be guilty of the motoring offence, but the not the possession of Class A drugs one. Simon believes her and when he discusses this with Detective in charge of the case, Inspector Burton, the policeman looks as though he is hiding something, which he is... The drugs were actually planted there by him, and he is involved in a drug running organisation...

Simon goes to delve further into this and witnesses Burton murder a member of the gang he is supplying drugs to. Unfortunately, being a nervous and idiotic type, Simon is found out and Burton makes a deal with him: if he doesn't tell anyone, then Burton won't frame him. However, he cannot let the Inspector get away with murder and his only choice is to get hold of some CCTV footage of the murder, which in held in a safety deposit box in a bank. He has to, in effect, rob a bank, and to do this he rustles up a few old clients, ex offenders he has put on the straight and narrow.

Whilst this is going on, Simon has a love interest in Emma, played by the delightful Lena Headley. She is a police woman, unsure of how to take him. Is he a murderer, or is he being framed? I will not go into much more of the plot and ruin it for you. I will say that Steve Coogan goes from small screen to big screen with ease here. He portrays the part very well and it is well worth a look. The other actors do well too, and look out for a cameo by a well known actor towards the end.

Made by John Duigan, the director of Sirens, as I have mentioned it was co written by Coogan and Henry Normal, who has teamed up with Coogan before in TV shows such as Coogan's Run.

The Parole Officer is a funny, good to watch film. Once you start viewing, you will not want to stop. It is not a classic, but the jokes are frequent. Steve Coogan's character is like Alan Partridge, but much nicer to know, and not quite as insane as the fictional disc jockey. It would appeal to adults mainly: certainly to those you like Coogan's other alter egos. Even if you don't like the aforementioned Partridge, I would certainly recommend this.

Also published on Ciao UK (slightly altered) written by me as Borg...

Summary: Coogan flying the flag of British comedy...