Parker is a thief who has an unusual code. He doesnt steal from the poor and hurt innocent people. He is asked to join 4 other guys one of whom is related to a known mobster. They pull off the job flawlessly and Parker wants to part ways with them. But because he refused to join them for another job they try to kill him. They dispose of his body but someone finds him and he is still alive and takes him to the hospital. After recovering he sets out to get back at the ones who tried to kill him another one of his codes. He learns where they are and poses as a wealthy Texan looking to buy a house. So he hires a real estate agent Leslie Rogers to show him around. He is actually trying to find out where theyre holed up. And when he finds it he sets out on his plan to get them. But when they learn he is alive they contact the mobster to take care of him. So he sends a killer to take care of him.
Review
I've read some of Richard Stark (a.k.a. Donald Westlake) 'Parker' books and this movie pretty much captures the essence of the character. This is not Shakespeare folks. The morality is pretty black and white in these books and Taylor Hackford and the screenwriter captures what this character is about very well. The only thing I found awkward in this movie were the flashbacks in the first third but that's a screenplay structure issue not directing issue. Actingwise thought everyone did very well with their roles. No there's not a lot of depth to anyone except for perhaps Jennifer Lopez's character who makes it clear she's stuck in a deadend life postdivorce and needs an out. All in all a very good entertaining crime thriller. I won't remember this years from now but it entertained me and kept my attention throughout. And aside from all this Stratham makes for one good badass! If you like this definitely check out "The Bank Job" that he starred in he really shows his acting chops in that one.