SHOWTIME (12, 95 mins) Starring Robert De Niro, Eddie Murphy, Rene Russo. Now showing at UGC and Cineworld in Swindon
With the explosion of reality TV shows and fly-on-the-wall docusoaps, anybody, it seems, can be a celebrity.
In Tom Dey's spoof buddy cop movie, two Los Angeles police officers are thrust into the public eye when they agree to take part in a tabloid-style reality show.
Detective Mitch Preston (De Niro) is a no-nonsense veteran who has been on the beat for 20 years. He is a man of few words and little patience.
During a covert drug operation, Mitch's cover is blown by hot-headed patrol officer Trey Sellars (Murphy), a frustrated actor with more attitude than sense.
Mitch is so annoyed by the rookie's actions that he lashes out, destroying a television news crew camera in the process.
When the news station threatens to sue the LAPD, the Chief of Police agrees to partner Mitch and Trey, and allow cameras to track their every move, 24 hours a day.
For Mitch, life in the eye of the camera is a living hell. For Trey, it's his dream come true, and he doesn't miss a single chance to play to his adoring public.
Showtime doesn't have enough bite to work effectively as a satire of the reality TV phenomenon.
Indeed, the film would work equally well without any mention of TV crews, as a Beverly Hills Cop-style investigation.
De Niro is cast as the straight man, much like his role in Meet The Parents, and he generates laughs pouring scorn on his partner's wild antics.
Murphy returns to the live-wire grandstanding of his early films, improvising wildly so he is always the centre of attention.
Rating: 5 out of 10
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