Movie Review: Punked by ‘Paparazzi’
“Paparazzi” is nothing more than an outcry from Hollywood’s socialites, a soap box sound-off aginst the camera-weilding mercenaries who overzealously stalk them and profit from their high-profile images.
The story-line itself seems workable – vengeance to these mudslinging, life-invading hunters and bombard them with the kind of merciless exopsure they’ve dished out for so long. But like the tabloids’ scandolous one-sided slants and secret revealing stories, “Paparazzi” also chooses to be subjective, turning the tables to illustrate how it feels to be exploited. In the obvious way it tries to untangle the movie-star from narcissistic stereotypes, “Paparazzi” demoralizes and demonizes the entertainment photographer showing the kind of sympathy the true paparazzi is known for.
Produced by Mel Gibson’s Icon Productions and directed by Paul Abascal “Paparazzi” follows action movie star Bo Laramie (Cole Hauser) as he slips into mainstream limelight faster than he’s ready for. Laramie and his family soon become victims to a foursome team of renegade paparazzi who see no limits in capitalizing on Laramie’s new fame. Against Laramie’s warning to stay away from his family’s personal affairs, the no-holds-barred dirt-diggers sift through his garbage, plant video cameras inside his house and antaganize him enough to hit one of them on camera. Finally, after a near-death auto accident caused by the photographing madmen and their strobe-like, rapid-fireing lightbulbs, Laramie, tired of a disbelieving police detective takes matters into his own hands.
Laramie is the typical action hero; the loner, misunderstood protagonist, who’s justified in violent acts, as long as its brought against his wicked counterparts. His goodness dissolves slowly, however, as each violent act becomes more vibrant and self-rationalized. Soon, we’re left with a heartless killer, no better than his foes. The contrast between hero and villians minimizes as the film progresses and would blend completely if it weren’t for the extremist portrayals of Laramie’s enemies. Rex Harper, (Tom Seizmore) the dark-hearted paparazzi ring-leader makes the devil himself seem likeable. With unmatched cunningness and ill-intentions, Harper is fueled by Laramie’s opposition. “I’m going to steal your life and eat your soul,” Harper says.
This film is the ultimate action movie cliche. With a formulaic plot and mechanical delivery, “Paparazzi” becomes a pridictable leightweight imitation and leaves the viewer bored and dissapointed.
Jack Saunders is a movie reviewer for the Utah Statesman. He is a senior majoring in print journalsim. Comments may be rent to jrsaunders@cc.usu.edu.