IMDb RATING
5.3/10
1.5K
YOUR RATING
A heterosexual police detective is unnerved when ordered to go undercover with a homosexual police clerk, as a couple, to solve a series of murders in the gay community.A heterosexual police detective is unnerved when ordered to go undercover with a homosexual police clerk, as a couple, to solve a series of murders in the gay community.A heterosexual police detective is unnerved when ordered to go undercover with a homosexual police clerk, as a couple, to solve a series of murders in the gay community.
- Director
- Writer
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe movie was allegedly intended as a parody of Al Pacino's undercover cop movie Cruising (1980). The 'DVD Verdict' website states that this movie is "basically William Friedkin's Cruising (1980) turned in to a sitcom."
- GoofsDuring quick close-up of newspaper when female photographer reads story headlined MALE MODEL SLAIN, the article has nothing to do with murder and is just a jumble of meaningless sentences.
- Quotes
Benson: Let me ask you something Sir. Why did you choose me for this job?
Chief Wilkins: Because you're a good cop, Benson, a real good cop. And because of your cute ass.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Sneak Previews: Changing Attitude Toward Homosexuality in Movies (1982)
- SoundtracksGet It Up For Love
Written by Ned Doheny (as N. Doheny)
Performed by Tata Vega
Courtesy of Motown Record Corporation
Featured review
Eccentric misfire comedy about a macho cop teamed with a meek desk-bound police officer and sent undercover as a gay couple to find the murderer of gay male models. O'Neal's subsequent appearance in full leathers while Hurt's character fusses around the apartment in pink T-shirt and cargo pants provides endless mirth.
Fans of O'Neal's manly physique will not be disappointed, but the coy jokes built on his character's awkwardness at being thrust into the gay scene are not very funny. The murder mystery aspect of the plot is the best thing about the film but it is constantly undermined by the film's habit of switching back into comedy mode whenever the suspense starts the build. And then as if that isn't bad enough, they slot in some cute and thoughtful scenes just to show us that O'Neal's character really is a caring guy after all. Then, despite the fact we have already met his girlfriend, he is straight to bed with whatever woman happens to cross his path.
The general story is also quite sloppy. Characters are introduced then disappear having fulfilled no greater function than to be the butt of a joke. The effeminate motel owner, Benson's original girlfriend, and the caftan-wearing landlord are given big introductions and then disappear.
Since Australian TV soap operas like 'Number 96', 'The Box', 'Prisoner' had been filled with positive gay and lesbian characters in the preceding decade this film wasn't even that groundbreaking at the time.
Fans of O'Neal's manly physique will not be disappointed, but the coy jokes built on his character's awkwardness at being thrust into the gay scene are not very funny. The murder mystery aspect of the plot is the best thing about the film but it is constantly undermined by the film's habit of switching back into comedy mode whenever the suspense starts the build. And then as if that isn't bad enough, they slot in some cute and thoughtful scenes just to show us that O'Neal's character really is a caring guy after all. Then, despite the fact we have already met his girlfriend, he is straight to bed with whatever woman happens to cross his path.
The general story is also quite sloppy. Characters are introduced then disappear having fulfilled no greater function than to be the butt of a joke. The effeminate motel owner, Benson's original girlfriend, and the caftan-wearing landlord are given big introductions and then disappear.
Since Australian TV soap operas like 'Number 96', 'The Box', 'Prisoner' had been filled with positive gay and lesbian characters in the preceding decade this film wasn't even that groundbreaking at the time.
- How long is Partners?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Zwei irre Partner auf heißer Spur
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $6,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $6,062,898
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $2,318,801
- May 2, 1982
- Gross worldwide
- $6,062,898
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content