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Poster for Grand Theft Parsons

Grand Theft Parsons

It's better to burn out than to fade away.

2004 · 1h 28m · PG-13 Adventure, Comedy, Drama
Directed by David Caffrey

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Overview

There are times when it's right and proper to simply bury the dead. This is not one of those times... Gram Parsons was one of the most influential musicians of his time; a bitter, brilliant, genius who knew Elvis, tripped with the Stones and fatally overdosed on morphine and tequila in 1973. And from his dying came a story. A story from deep within folklore; a story of friendship, honour and adventure; a story so extraordinary that if it didn't really happen, no one would believe it. Two men, a hearse, a dead rock star, five gallons of petrol, and a promise. And the most extraordinary chase of modern times.

Director and cast

Critics on Rotten Tomatoes

Top critics, in their words

All reviews
46%
Tomatometer
Fresh

Inspired by a true story, pic travels down familiar genre highways, but quirky humor and an apt soundtrack make for a pleasant enough journey.

Leslie Felperin, Variety
Rotten

What could have served as a colorful episode in a more expansive film about the famed singer has instead become the premise of a mildly entertaining but overextended road movie that doesn't succeed on either dramatic or comedic terms.

Frank Scheck, Hollywood Reporter
Rotten

The Phil-Larry dynamic makes up most of the movie and the strain of turning an anecdote into an demi-epic can be felt throughout the movie.

John Anderson, Newsday
Rotten

Gram Parsons' last rites were among the most extraordinary in rock history. Too bad this retelling of the singer's final adventure is so tame.

Elizabeth Weitzman, New York Daily News
Rotten

A ho-hum, meandering road movie, albeit with an extremely cool soundtrack.

Megan Lehmann, New York Post

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