Partners

Director: James Burrows James Burrows

Overview

TV director James Burrows made his feature debut with this unusual film that's a situation comedy-style twist on both The Odd Couple (1968) and Cruising (1980). The murder of a male model in a gay, beachfront enclave of L.A. warrants an undercover investigation, so police officer Benson (Ryan O'Neal), a straight, macho, law-and-order type, is assigned to partner with file clerk Kerwin (John Hurt), a mild-mannered homosexual. Benson and Kerwin are to pose as a gay couple who have just moved to the area. At first, Benson's slovenly ways drive the fussy Kerwin to distraction, while Kerwin's sexual orientation and prissy manners are a source of constant frustration for straight-arrow Benson. However, the two eventually become friendly roommates, if not exactly friends, and Benson even begins to see the world through Kerwin's eyes. Although he carries a badge, the fussy Kerwin is essentially a civilian, but as he and Benson close in on the murderer, Kerwin reveals himself to be a far more capable cop than Benson assumes him to be. Partners was written by Francis Veber, author of La Cage aux Folles (1978) and The Man with One Red Shoe (1985).

Product Details

Release Date:	10/27/2015
UPC:	0887090110709
Original Release:	1982
Rating:	R
Source:	Olive
Region Code:	1
Presentation:	[Wide Screen]
Sound:	[Dolby Digital Stereo]
Language:	English
Time:	1:33:00
Sales rank:	16,110

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Ryan O'Neal	Sgt. Benson
John Hurt	Kerwin
Kenneth McMillan	Chief Wilkins
Robyn Douglass	Jill
Jay Robinson	Halderstam
Denise Galik	Clara
Joseph R. Sicari	Walter
Michael McGuire	Monroe
Rick Jason	Douglas
James Remar	Edward K. Petersen
Jennifer Ashley	Secretary
Darrell Larson	Al
Tony March	2nd Aide
Seamon Glass	Gillis
Steve Reisch	Counter Boy
Carl Kraines	1st Aide
Bob Ozman	Detective
Carol Williard	Officer
John Garber	Body Builder
Sherrie Lessard	Telephone Operator
Ed McCready	Doorman
Jackie Millines	Photo Assistant
Ray Sanders	Muscle Man
Luis Torres	Pablo
Gene Ross	Cop
Douglas Bruce	Cop
Bill Cross	Cop
Bridget Fonda	Actor
Craig Shreeve	Cop
Wendy Hughes	Actor
Gregory Hodal	Cop

Technical Credits

James Burrows	Director
Aaron Russo	Producer
Francis Veber	Executive Producer

Editorial Reviews

Movies -- in general -- don't get much worse than this flat, woefully misconceived odd-couple "comedy" that somehow manages to be offensive while being utterly toothless. Apparently a gloss on the same subject matter as 1980's reviled psycho-sexual thriller Cruising, Partners seems to forget from moment to moment what it's trying to be: an "outrageous" gay-straight farce, a sub-Scooby Doo murder mystery, or an unusually static police procedural. Scenes last far longer than they should, the score is meek and arbitrary, and most of the performances seem to be unrehearsed first takes. The one bright spot -- if you can call it that -- in this debacle is John Hurt, who at his best is trying to imbue the material with more dignity than it deserves. At his worst, however, he looks utterly dejected and visibly embarrassed by the tasteless, denigrating gay jokes perpetrated by the script. Most audience members will likely be on the same wavelength.