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Grand Theft Parsons

Play trailer Poster for Grand Theft Parsons PG-13 2004 1h 28m Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
48% Tomatometer 27 Reviews 53% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
Country-rock pioneer Gram Parsons (Gabriel Macht) and his friend and road manager Phil Kaufman (Johnny Knoxville) have a pact: Whichever of them dies first will be cremated, and the ashes will be spread in Joshua Tree National Park by the other. When Parsons dies suddenly at 26, Kaufman feels guilty for not having done more to save his friend's life, but he intends to keep his end of the bargain, even if it means stealing Parsons' corpse and outrunning the cops to do it.
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Grand Theft Parsons

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Critics Consensus

Grand Theft Parsons pays tribute to a rock legend without following biopic formula -- and proves that a unique perspective doesn't always mean a worthwhile film.

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Critics Reviews

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Will Self London Evening Standard Jan 9, 2018
Shannon does a great turn as the archetypal failed hippy idealist... and while the rest of the cast are sterling rather than shining, the script and David Caffrey's tyro direction are tight enough to pull the whole vehicle along. Go to Full Review Leslie Felperin Variety Jun 29, 2004
Inspired by a true story, pic travels down familiar genre highways, but quirky humor and an apt soundtrack make for a pleasant enough journey. Go to Full Review Frank Scheck The Hollywood Reporter Jun 29, 2004
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. Go to Full Review Amber Wilkinson Eye for Film Jun 13, 2008
4/5
Don't let Knoxville's Jackass pedigree put you off - he can be subtle as well as gross. Go to Full Review Dragan Antulov Draxblog Movie Reviews Feb 9, 2006
5/10
there are worse ways to pay respect to music legends Go to Full Review Film Threat Dec 6, 2005
4/5
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Audience Reviews

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Iamwhoi M @Shaboutiques Feb 26, 2026 I don't care what anyone says.....I like this movie. Primal Scream's Movin' on up is on my all-time favorites list; and it will make you joyful, in spite of yourself. Michael Shannon was great as the hippy, & Johnny Knoxville was fun, as the determined friend. See more Lloyd S @Lloyd93 Dec 13, 2025 Boring and stupid. A waste of time. See more Apr 28, 2020 This story always intrigues me and I was also a big Graham Parsons fan! I liked most of the movie but it was a bit embellished with a few extra additional Hollywood no factoids Otherwise great entertainment ! See more Apr 6, 2020 ....Considering the sad situation this country (and the world) is in right now, this light as a feather bit of black humor , with a sad little hint of seriousness at the end turned out to be a pretty damned nice way to pass some time in "self isolation"...Johnny Knoxville was fine , so was Gram Parson's "Dad". the money- hungry pouty-mouthed Blond was aces as a whiny little bitch, the other (sweeter) Blond (?Christina Applegate ? ) was" muy simpatica" (and easy on the eyes)...But... it was "Bearded Hippy" Michael Shannon who REALLY knocked his character out of the ballpark...(Has that guy ever smiled?...I mean, on screen?...a zenned-out hippy too cool for words)...And that "Sweetheart of the Rodeo " touring jacket that Knoxville was wearing...DAMN , I loved that album (who didn't?) ....If this wasn't the way Gram Parsons wanted to be...disposed of...it sure seemed like an appropriate way to go ...Loved his Hickory Wind song...ditto as well for "In My Hour of Darkness"...such a waste of musical talent.... See more Feb 21, 2020 Very sweet little movie with lots of charm and humour. About death, drugs and crime See more Nov 9, 2018 This film was almost good. See more Read all reviews
Grand Theft Parsons

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Cast & Crew

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David Caffrey

Director

Johnny Knoxville

Phil Kaufman

Gabriel Macht

Gram Parsons

Marley Shelton

Susie

Christina Applegate

Barbara Mansfield

Michael Shannon

Larry Oster-Berg

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Grand Theft Parsons

Grand Theft Parsons (2003) Grand Theft Parsons (2003) Grand Theft Parsons (2003) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Country-rock pioneer Gram Parsons (Gabriel Macht) and his friend and road manager Phil Kaufman (Johnny Knoxville) have a pact: Whichever of them dies first will be cremated, and the ashes will be spread in Joshua Tree National Park by the other. When Parsons dies suddenly at 26, Kaufman feels guilty for not having done more to save his friend's life, but he intends to keep his end of the bargain, even if it means stealing Parsons' corpse and outrunning the cops to do it.
Director
David Caffrey
Producer
Frank Mannion
Screenwriter
Jeremy Drysdale
Production Co
Swipe Films, Helkon SK, Morty-Stevie G Productions
Rating
PG-13 (Some Language|Drug References)
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jan 21, 2004, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Mar 20, 2017
Runtime
1h 28m
Sound Mix
Surround, Dolby Digital
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