
Grand Theft Parsons
On DVD now
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I picked up Grand Theft Parsons on a whim, paying £1.50 for it second-hand. I’d heard mention of the film before, knew it involved both Gram Parsons and Johnny Knoxville (both of whom which, for better or for worse, I am a fan of), and, I understood, had something of a “cult status” (or so it appeared to me).
Prior to watching the film, I decided to look up some info about it (as I am want to do). The quotes on the box included such gems as
“ONE OF THE FUNNIEST FILMS OF THE YEAR” – What’s On
and
“HILARIOUS…LEAVES YOU CHUCKLING FROM START TO FINISH” – News Of The World
Neither of these statements are true – not saying that’s a bad thing. Grand Theft Parsons is NOT a rip-roaring, gut-busting comedy; there are indeed some blackly comic moments, but making a wacky road trip movie based on someone’s death wouldn’t be too appropriate, would it?
This is something the film got criticised for – marketing something that isn’t a comedy, as a comedy, is usually a recipe for disaster. People are expecting a totally different film! Silly film executives. The other major criticism I saw (mainly from the IMDb user reviews, so make of that what you will), is that the film wasn’t the “respectful” tribute to Gram Parsons some (probably old and hairy) fans wanted.
Again, I don’t think this was the point of the film, AND I think those people are wrong.

The film depicts the based-off-true-story of Parson’s road manager/best bud Phil Kaufman (Johnny Konxville) who, following his friend’s early death due to a drug overdose in 1968, attempts to steal his body (en route to a plush funeral in New Orelans) to cremate it in the desert – as per Gram’s wishes.
Along the way he is helped by a hippy whose yellow flower-emblazoned hearse he plans to use as transport (Michael Shannon), and is pursued by his girlfriend (Marley Shelton), Parson’s father (Robert Forster) and one of Parson’s many ex-girlfriends, out to get a piece of his fortune (Christina Appelgate).
Obviously the film takes some liberties with the story, and of course parts of it are comic – how could it not be? They’re stealing a guy’s coffin, after all. But it never feels exploitative; in fact, the overall feeling is one of melancholia. Kauffman is throughout trying to focus on this “mission” as a way to avoid dwelling on the fact that his best friend has – very suddenly – passed on, something which Knoxville portrays surprisingly well.
There is a lot more drama in this film than comedy, but the two styles do not jar, and work quite well throughout, working their way to a sad, yet triumphant and almost touching finale.
Grand Theft Parsons isn’t a classic, groundbreaking piece – it’s one of those works you describe to people as a “good little film”. It features fine performances by all, a fairly solid script, and a good soundtrack of Parsons recordings. It doesn’t deserve to recieve the flak it did/does; I thoroughly enjoyed it, and would recommend it to Parsons fans and non-fans alike.




