Line #7 Film/TheParoleOfficer


1	[[quoteright:317:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/the_parole_officer_7.jpg]]
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3	''The Parole Officer'' is a 2001 British comedy film directed by John Duigan and starring Creator/SteveCoogan as Simon Garden, a clumsy, socially-inept parole officer who witnesses a murder. Framed by the murderer, Garden must gather together a mismatched band of ex-criminals in order to recover the security tape that would both clear his name and indict the real killer.
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5	It is a rare example of a modern British [[TheCaper heist film]], involving a convoluted scheme and a deliciously evil bad guy.
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8	!!Contains examples of:
9	* AbusiveParents: In a deleted scene, Kirsty explains that her dad used to beat her when she was a child.
10	* AccidentalPervert: Garden is sitting politely on Emma's bed while she gets dressed in the next room. Then her cat pushes the wardrobe mirror around, giving him an enviable view...
11	* ActorAllusion: The theatrical poster featured glowing and condemnatory quotes from Coogan's other comedic personas.
12	* BankRobbery: In that they rob a bank, but the caper goes off on a Sunday, avoiding most of the subtropes.
13	* BeneathTheMask / StepfordSmiler: Colin claims to love his new job at the (now defunct) Time Computers, but in reality hates it with a virulent passion.
14	* CaperCrew:
15	** The Mastermind: Garden
16	** The Hacker: Colin
17	** The Gadget Guy: George
18	** The Muscle: Jeff
19	** The Driver: Kirsty
20	** The Legendary Thief: Victor
21	* CaperRationalization: Basically the entire plot. Garden's crime is executed entirely to clear his name and gather the evidence to convict the real killer.
22	* ClearMyName: Garden's primary motivation.
23	* ComputerVirus: A vital aspect of the plan, uploaded via a amateurish-looking porn site.
24	* DelayedReaction: A variant, when the crew are on top of the West Clyde Bank, waiting for Colin's virus to set off every bank alarm in the city. Simon counts down to zero hour - and nothing happens. For about ten seconds.
25	* TheDitz: Jeff.
26	* FanService: 3 words: ''Creator/LenaHeadey'' naked. Also, a deleted scene where Simon enters a room full of strippers.
27	* FunWithAcronyms: The George-Operated [=TimeLock=] Equalizing Robot or "[=GOTLER=]"
28	* GagPenis: On a fetility statue. Apparently, touching the penis grants virility. Of course, it snaps off in Simon's hand.
29	* TheGreatBritishCopperCapture: Played with ''hilariously'', since Garden is a very pacifistic person and has to be constantly prompted by his "prisoner" to maintain the act.
30	* LittleMissBadass: Kirsty
31	* NiceJobBreakingItHero: A deleted scene would reveal that Simon had once campaigned against the 'unjust' firing of a teacher who turned out to be a paedophile. It was excised for taking Simon's character as an amiable loser a bit too far.
32	* PassThePopcorn: The event that gets Simon caught, he scarfs down a packet of crisps while watching the murder to counteract his hypoglycemia. He chokes, and the plot takes off...
33	* SafeCracking: ''Kinda-sorta'', in that the gang have to get through the vault door using a code, but there's no stethoscopes or dial-twiddling.
34	* SuperWindowJump: Hilariously subverted - Simon uses a crossbow to set up a rope-swing, hits the window dead-center - and splats like a bird, falling twenty feet to the floor.
35	--> '''Simon Garden:''' ''[sheepish]'' Toughened glass.
36	--> '''Police Officer:''' It's a ''bank''!
37	* VomitIndiscretionShot: Simon has lunch with George, and then they ride on a rollercoaster while discussing the upcoming heist. Given Simon's delicate stomach this turns out to be very bad news for the CheerfulChild Girl Scout sitting directly behind him.
38	* VulgarHumor: Simon pukes directly into a young girl's face ''three times''.
39	* WatchingTheReflectionUndress: See AccidentalPervert above.
40	* WhereDoYouThinkYouAre: Combined with SuperWindowJump.
41	* WouldHurtAChild: Burton threatens to shoot Kirsty.

Context Film / TheParoleOfficer