Parting Shots

Year: 1999

Runtime: 99 mins

Language: English

Director: Michael Winner

RomanceCrimeComedy

After being told he has only three months left with cancer, failed photographer Harry Sterndale decides to settle old scores. He begins eliminating those who hurt him, hires a hitman to end his life in style, and falls for Jill. When the diagnosis proves false, Harry is pursued by the assassin he hired and questioned by police about the murders.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Parting Shots yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Parting Shots (1999) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Read the complete plot breakdown of Parting Shots (1999), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.

Photographer Harry Sterndale (Chris Rea) is diagnosed with stomach cancer and given just six weeks to live. Once a successful photographer, Harry was bankrupted by an investment scam pushed on him by his shallow ex-wife Lisa (Diana Rigg), who promptly left him for another man. After a few days of brooding, the usually mild-mannered Harry becomes set on revenge. With nothing to lose, he obtains a gun from the black market and embarks on a mission to punish all those who wronged him, starting with Lisa. After the shooting, the police question him, but do not believe he is a killer.

Harry next targets Gerd Layton (Bob Hoskins), the corrupt financier behind the investment scam. Posing as a repair man, he sneaks into Layton’s home and drowns him in his own pool. His secretary Jill (Felicity Kendal) is aware of the murder but covers for Harry since her own parents were victims of Layton’s scam.

Brought together by the crime, Harry and Jill begin a relationship. They visit an upscale restaurant together but are abused and thrown out by the snobbish chef, played by Ben Kingsley. Later that night, Harry returns to the restaurant and shoots the chef in the car park. The next day Harry decides to hire a hitman, Jamie (Oliver Reed), to kill him so he can give Jill the resulting life insurance payout. Meanwhile, the police determine the gun used in the killing of the chef was the same one used to kill Lisa. The police raid Harry’s house, but with no physical evidence they reluctantly let him go. He borrows from the bank as much money as he can and spends it on lavish hotels and a new car. The last two victims of his killing spree are a bully from his school days and a back-stabbing former boss. Upon returning to London, he passes the gun to Jamie since he no longer needs it.

Harry is subsequently hospitalised by his cancer, but after operating they discover he has been misdiagnosed and his stomach pains were due to a simple ulcer. After the good news, Harry and Jill decide to marry. As they are leaving their hotel, Jamie takes a shot at Harry, however he misses and accidentally kills a foreign head-of-state staying in the same hotel. Jamie is apprehended and since he was using Harry’s gun and has no chance of release, he takes responsibility for all of Harry’s murders in a last act of charity.

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 09:30

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Fatalistic dark comedies like Parting Shots

Stories where a dire prognosis unleashes a chaotic, morally bankrupt spree.If you liked the cynical, chaotic energy of Parting Shots, you'll enjoy these movies about characters unleashed by a terminal diagnosis. These dark comedies explore vigilante justice and absurd crime sprees with a mix of humor and moral ambiguity, perfect for fans of biting satire.

darkly comedicfatalisticanarchiccynicalvigilanteabsurdmischievousrevenge

Narrative Summary

The narrative typically begins with a life-shattering event—often a misdiagnosis or financial collapse—that removes the protagonist's fear of consequence. This triggers a linear, fast-paced series of revenge-driven actions or crimes, often comically executed. A major twist, like the reversal of the initial premise, then complicates the final act, leading to a bittersweet or ironic resolution.

Why These Movies?

They are grouped by their shared core premise: a character's sudden freedom from societal rules due to perceived doom. This creates a specific blend of dark humor, fast-paced action, and a morally ambiguous, often bittersweet, emotional journey that feels both anarchic and strangely liberating.

Movies with absurd crime sprees like Parting Shots

Comedic capers where meticulous plans collapse into chaotic, ironic outcomes.Find more movies like Parting Shots that feature chaotic crime stories with satirical humor. These films share a vibe of plans gone comically wrong, featuring hitmen, mistaken identities, and ironic endings that provide a bittersweet payoff for the protagonist's misguided actions.

absurdsatiricalmischievousironicchaoticdarkly comediccrime caperunraveling plans

Narrative Summary

A protagonist sets a criminal plan in motion based on a flawed premise or emotional impulse. The execution is methodical but often farcical, with the film's humor deriving from the escalating absurdity of the situation. A central, game-changing twist (like a misdiagnosis or a mistaken identity) then throws the entire plan into disarray, forcing the character to navigate a chaotic and ironic conclusion.

Why These Movies?

They share a specific narrative structure and tone: a fast-paced, comedic crime story built around a central irony that unravels the protagonist's initial motivation. The enjoyment comes from watching well-laid plans fall apart in humorous and unexpected ways, resulting in a tonally consistent mix of crime, comedy, and irony.

Unlock the Full Story of Parting Shots

Don't stop at just watching — explore Parting Shots in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Parting Shots is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Parting Shots Timeline

Track the full timeline of Parting Shots with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Parting Shots

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Parting Shots. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Parting Shots Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Parting Shots that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

More About Parting Shots

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Parting Shots: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

Similar Movies to Parting Shots

Discover movies like Parting Shots that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.