# Parker

> 2013 film directed by Taylor Hackford

**Wikidata**: [Q3896119](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3896119)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parker_(2013_film))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/parker

## Summary
Parker is a 2013 heist thriller film directed by Taylor Hackford, starring Jason Statham as the titular character. Based on the novel *Flashfire* by Donald E. Westlake, it follows a professional thief seeking revenge after being double-crossed by his crew.

## Key Facts
- **Release Date**: January 25, 2013 (United States)
- **Director**: Taylor Hackford
- **Starring**: Jason Statham, Jennifer Lopez, Michael Chiklis, Nick Nolte
- **Genre**: Heist film, thriller, action film
- **Country of Origin**: United States
- **Runtime**: 118 minutes
- **IMDb ID**: tt1904996
- **Rotten Tomatoes Score**: 41% (critics), 41% (audience)
- **Metacritic Score**: 42/100
- **Budget**: $30 million
- **Box Office**: $17.6 million (domestic), $40.6 million (worldwide)
- **Based on**: Novel *Flashfire* by Donald E. Westlake
- **Production Companies**: Sierra/Affinity, Incentive Filmed Entertainment, Current Entertainment
- **Distributor**: FilmDistrict (US), Entertainment One (UK)
- **Language**: English
- **Color**: Color
- **Sound Mix**: Dolby Digital

## FAQs
**What is the plot of Parker?**
Parker is a professional thief who lives by a personal code: don't steal from people who can't afford it and don't hurt people who don't deserve it. After being double-crossed by his crew during a heist, he survives and tracks them to Palm Beach, Florida, where they're planning their biggest heist yet. Disguised as a Texas oil tycoon, he teams up with Leslie (Jennifer Lopez), a savvy real estate agent, to take down his former partners and steal their score.

**Who are the main cast members?**
Jason Statham stars as Parker, the professional thief seeking revenge. Jennifer Lopez plays Leslie Rodgers, a real estate agent who becomes Parker's unlikely ally. Michael Chiklis portrays Melander, the leader of Parker's former crew. Nick Nolte appears as Hurley, Parker's mentor and father figure. Other notable cast members include Wendell Pierce as Carlson, Clifton Collins Jr. as Eduardo, and Patti LuPone as Ascension.

**How was the film received by critics and audiences?**
Parker received mixed reviews from critics, holding a 41% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 111 reviews. Critics praised Jason Statham's performance and the film's action sequences but criticized its formulaic plot and pacing. Audiences were similarly divided, with a 41% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. Metacritic gave it a weighted average score of 42 out of 100, indicating "mixed or average reviews."

**What is the significance of the Parker character?**
Parker is a recurring character in Donald E. Westlake's crime novels, appearing in 24 books published between 1962 and 2008. The character is known for his professionalism, strict moral code, and ruthless efficiency. This film marks the first time the character's name was used in the title, as previous adaptations (like *Point Blank* and *Payback*) used different character names due to rights issues.

**Where was Parker filmed?**
Principal photography took place in various locations in Florida, including Palm Beach, West Palm Beach, and Miami. Additional filming occurred in New Orleans, Louisiana. The production utilized real locations to capture the upscale atmosphere of Palm Beach and the gritty urban settings required for the heist sequences.

## Why It Matters
Parker represents an attempt to launch a new action franchise centered on a morally complex antihero. The film adapts Donald E. Westlake's popular Parker novels, which have influenced countless crime stories and heist films over the past five decades. By using the character's actual name for the first time in a feature film adaptation, the production aimed to establish a direct connection to the source material and appeal to fans of the novels. The film also showcases Jason Statham's particular brand of action-hero persona, combining physical prowess with a stoic, no-nonsense approach to violence. Despite its mixed critical reception, Parker demonstrates the enduring appeal of the heist genre and the potential for character-driven action films that balance spectacle with narrative depth.

## Notable For
- **First Film Adaptation Using Character Name**: First feature film to use "Parker" as the character's name, as previous adaptations used pseudonyms
- **Donald E. Westlake Adaptation**: Based on *Flashfire*, one of the later Parker novels in Westlake's long-running series
- **Jason Statham Action Vehicle**: Showcases Statham's signature blend of martial arts and tactical combat in a crime thriller setting
- **Palm Beach Setting**: Utilizes the wealthy Florida enclave as a backdrop for the heist sequences
- **Mixed Critical Reception**: Demonstrates the challenges of adapting popular literary characters to film while satisfying both critics and audiences
- **International Production**: Co-production between American and international companies, reflecting modern film financing structures
- **Genre Blending**: Combines elements of heist films, revenge thrillers, and action movies into a single narrative

## Body
### Production Background
Parker was directed by Taylor Hackford, an Academy Award-winning filmmaker known for *Ray* and *An Officer and a Gentleman*. The screenplay was written by John J. McLaughlin, based on Donald E. Westlake's novel *Flashfire*. Westlake, who wrote under the pseudonym Richard Stark for the Parker series, created one of crime fiction's most enduring antiheroes. The film was produced by Steve Chasman, Sidney Kimmel, Les Alexander, and Jonathan Mitchell, with Hackford serving as executive producer.

### Casting and Characters
Jason Statham was cast as Parker, bringing his established action-hero credentials to the role. Statham's portrayal emphasized Parker's physical capabilities while maintaining the character's cold, calculating nature. Jennifer Lopez was cast as Leslie Rodgers, marking a departure from her typical romantic comedy roles. The supporting cast included Michael Chiklis as the primary antagonist, Nick Nolte as Parker's mentor, and Wendell Pierce as one of the antagonists' crew members.

### Filming Locations
Principal photography began in August 2011 and concluded in November of the same year. The production utilized locations in Palm Beach County, Florida, including West Palm Beach, Palm Beach, and Riviera Beach. The crew also filmed in New Orleans, Louisiana, taking advantage of the state's film production incentives. The Palm Beach locations provided the film's upscale aesthetic, contrasting with the grittier urban environments depicted in other scenes.

### Release and Distribution
FilmDistrict acquired distribution rights for the United States, while Entertainment One handled UK distribution. The film was released on January 25, 2013, strategically positioned in the post-holiday period when action films often perform well. The marketing campaign emphasized Jason Statham's action credentials and the film's revenge plot, targeting his established fan base while attempting to attract broader audiences with Jennifer Lopez's involvement.

### Critical Reception
Critics offered mixed assessments of Parker. The film holds a 41% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 111 reviews, with an average rating of 5.1/10. The critical consensus states: "Jason Statham is game as usual, but Parker is a thoroughly generic and convoluted action thriller." Metacritic assigned the film a weighted average score of 42 out of 100 based on 24 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews." Many critics praised Statham's performance and the action sequences while criticizing the plot's predictability and pacing issues.

### Box Office Performance
Parker had a modest box office performance, grossing $17.6 million in the United States and Canada, and $23 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $40.6 million. The film's $30 million production budget meant it did not achieve significant profitability, though international markets and home video sales may have improved its financial performance. The theatrical release was hindered by mixed reviews and competition from other action films released around the same time.

### Genre Classification
The film incorporates elements from multiple genres. As a heist film, it follows the structure of planning and executing a major robbery. The revenge thriller aspect drives the narrative as Parker seeks retribution against his former crew. Action film elements are prominent throughout, featuring hand-to-hand combat, gunfights, and chase sequences. The thriller classification reflects the film's suspenseful plotting and the constant threat of violence.

### Literary Adaptation
Parker adapts Donald E. Westlake's novel *Flashfire*, which was published in 2000 as part of the Parker series. Westlake wrote 24 Parker novels between 1962 and 2008, creating a character known for his professionalism, moral code, and lack of personal attachments. The adaptation process involved condensing the novel's plot and characters to fit a feature film runtime while maintaining the core elements that define the Parker character.

### Technical Specifications
The film was shot using Arri Alexa digital cameras, allowing for high-quality digital cinematography. John Lindley served as director of photography, bringing experience from previous action and thriller projects. The editing was handled by Mark Warner, who worked to maintain pacing during the film's action sequences. The sound design and mixing were completed to theatrical standards, with Dolby Digital sound mix for theatrical exhibition.

### Cultural Context
Parker was released during a period when Jason Statham was establishing himself as a reliable action star with films like *The Transporter* series, *Crank*, and *The Expendables*. The film represented an attempt to expand his range into more character-driven crime thrillers while maintaining his action credentials. Jennifer Lopez's involvement aimed to broaden the film's appeal beyond traditional action audiences, though her role was ultimately secondary to Statham's.

### Distribution Platforms
Following its theatrical run, Parker was released on home video formats including DVD and Blu-ray. The film became available on various digital platforms for rental and purchase. Streaming services later added the film to their catalogs, allowing it to reach audiences beyond its initial theatrical release. The multiple distribution channels reflect the modern film industry's approach to maximizing a film's revenue potential across different viewing platforms.

### Related Works
Parker exists within the larger context of Donald E. Westlake's Parker novels and their various adaptations. Previous film adaptations of Westlake's Parker stories include *Point Blank* (1967) starring Lee Marvin, *The Split* (1968) with Jim Brown, *The Outfit* (1973), *Slayground* (1983), and *Payback* (1999) starring Mel Gibson. Each adaptation interpreted the character differently, with Parker using the character's actual name for the first time in a feature film adaptation.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1904996/)
2. [Source](http://www.sinemalar.com/film/171024/parker)
3. [Source](http://www.interfilmes.com/filme_26700_Parker-(Parker).html%E2%80%8E)
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6. [Source](http://www.allocine.fr/film/fichefilm_gen_cfilm=193283.html)
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8. Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze
9. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1904996/fullcredits?ref_=tt_cl_sm)
10. [Source](http://www.metacritic.com/movie/parker)
11. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1904996/fullcredits)
12. The Movie Database
13. Parker. Rotten Tomatoes
14. [Source](http://www.filmz.ru/film/6881/)
15. [IMDb](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1904996/releaseinfo)
16. [Source](http://nmhh.hu/dokumentum/198182/terjesztett_filmalkotasok_art_filmek_nyilvantartasa.xlsx)
17. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
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19. [Source](https://www.kijkwijzer.nl/films/parker/)
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