Watch Partners

Partners is a hilarious buddy cop comedy released in 1982. Directed by James Burrows and written by Francis Veber and Michael Leeson, the movie stars Ryan O'Neal, John Hurt, and Kenneth McMillan in the leading roles. The story revolves around two very different police detectives - the straight-laced and uptight Richard "Dick" Kovak (Ryan O'Neal) and the loose-cannon, impulsive, and highly eccentric Artie Connors (John Hurt) - who are paired together as partners to investigate a series of murders in the gay community in L.A. Dick is a seasoned detective who takes his job very seriously and wants to do everything by the books. He's not open-minded and doesn't have a sense of humor. Artie, on the other hand, is a young, flamboyant, gay, and aggressively unorthodox detective who often relies on his gut instincts to solve cases. At first, the two men can't stand each other. They are constantly bickering and arguing about their methods and approaches to the investigation, and only manage to make things worse. However, things start to change when they start to get to know each other better and begin to realize that they have more in common than they originally thought. As they follow the clues to the killer, the two detectives come across a mix of interesting characters - including a wealthy socialite, a flamboyant drag queen, and a closeted politician. They also find themselves in some hilarious situations, including an unfortunate incident involving a Jacuzzi and a bunch of pet fish. The chemistry between Ryan O'Neal and John Hurt is fantastic. They play off each other perfectly, with O'Neal's straight-man routine providing the perfect foil for Hurt's over-the-top, hyperbolic performance. Both actors do a great job in their roles, and their comedic timing is spot on. Another standout performance is given by Kenneth McMillan, who plays a gruff and intimidating police captain who's constantly yelling at his detectives. He provides some of the movie's biggest laughs and steals every scene he's in. The film's pacing is excellent, with the story moving at a brisk pace and never dragging. The script is smart, funny, and cleverly written, with Veber and Leeson managing to pack in plenty of jokes and gags while still keeping the story engaging and suspenseful. Although the movie is mainly a comedy, it does touch on some serious themes relating to the gay community, including discrimination and hate crimes. While it may not be the most insightful or nuanced take on these issues, it does show a level of awareness and sensitivity that was somewhat rare for a Hollywood movie of its time. Overall, Partners is a highly entertaining buddy cop comedy that's well worth a watch. The chemistry between the leads, the sharp writing, and the mix of laughs and suspense make it a classic of the genre. If you're a fan of 80s comedies or buddy cop movies, then this is definitely one to add to your watchlist.