Rating: R
Genre:
Comedy Drama
Release Date: 07/01/2008
Dubbed: English
Sound: DD
Run Time: 93 Minutes
Distributor/Studio: Paramount Home Entertainment
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).
~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide