Customer Reviews

Best Seller

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If you're not a James Woods fan, you wouldn't understand, but bear with me:

This movie is really a story about the redemption of the assassin Cleve, played by Woods. The characters in the movie are given little depth by the writers, but the stars give heart to this film. I was most intrigued by the performance of Woods. Most actors play assassins as raving psychotics, (and typically Woods is no exception) but Woods takes the character of Cleve a step further. Seen in the beginning of the film as a savior to the best selling author and cop named Dennis played by Denneghy, Cleve at first shows a cool exterior and one wonders if this will be yet another Woods' film where he simply gets to shoot a lot of people. But when the character of Cleve comes to life, Woods shows his depth as an actor. Cleve's cool exterior and successful career as an assassin masks a tangible vulnerability as Cleve tries to come to terms with his life, wanting himself to be seen by the public as "sympathetic" in Dennis' "best seller." (You see this at the very end of the film where Cleve has to make a decision: get final revenge on his boss Matlock or save Dennis's teenage daughter). The ending is worth every minute of the background 80's synth music.

Cleve doesn't feel guilt in the murders he's committed for the cupidity of the company; as Cleve says matter-of-factly, "It's the profession I was in, Dennis." This streak of sociopathic deeds combined with an obession for verbal politeness was an interesting mix that I found intriguing. (One tongue-in-check example is after Cleve saves Dennis' life, he places a card on Dennis' windshield with the simple message: "Say thank you!")There were many great scenes like that throughout the film, making you wonder if you should hate Cleve for what he's done, or pity him, even like him, for who he wants to become. Watching the complexities of Woods' character slowly unfold was well worth the money. This film is excellent, especially if you are a James Woods fan.

James Woods and Brian Dennehy both shine in this thriller about a cop/author who teams with a psychotic killer in order to bring down an organized crime figure.

It is fascinating to watch the interaction betwwen the two leads. Dennehy knows that Woods is a cold-blooded killer yet he uses a combination of physical presence and intestinal fortitude to keep the the smaller Woods in line. Woods' character actually tries to befriend Dennehy but one is never sure that he won't snap and kill Dennehy at any moment.

This is an excellent film and a showcase for the talents of these two fine actors. I hope a DVD version will be released but until then it's VHS only.

Somehow, I missed this when it was released theatrically, and I'm sorry I did.

James Woods gives a boffo performance as a professional hit man, who tries (for a long time) to convince a cop named Dennis (Brian Dennehy) that he is telling him the truth about his life as a killer. Woods plays Cleve, and is simply fantastic. Other reviewers emphasize Woods' performance, but Dennehy more than holds his own.

Cleve is the type of person you'd be fascinated as heck to know from a distance, but I'm sure I'd not be very comfortable up close and personal with such a violent, loose cannon. He can be sympathetic, but just when you think you can trust him, he turns horribly violent. Besides, a lot of people in his life just seem to end up dead!

There are some formulaic aspects to the film, but all in all, it's fresh, compelling, and the kind of movie you're going to remember for quite a while. It will actually keep you guessing to the end.

If you are looking for a taunt, tense thriller, this is a great choice. How come I've never heard of it? I'm not sure. I just can't understand how it was overlooked.

Highly recommended.

I was a fan of James Woods when I first watched this movie. After seeing this movie, I was mesmorized by his talent.Woods plays a killer for a corporation. Upon being fired, he sets his sights on destroying his boss with the cooperation of a former cop, now turned writer of novels, who was a former almost victim of Woods. He, all at the same time creates a picture of a hit man that almost makes him likeable and vunerable but at the same time shows his character to be digustingly vicious. In the end, he makes us see that he is human after all. This movie has great acting and I really enjoyed the cat and mouse game. Rent this movie!

If you like James Woods, this will definitely float your boat. Woods plays an ex-hitman, Cleave, for a large business situated in Los Angeles, which means you get to see him show his capacities to be smooth, calculating, and also emotionally explosive. While this movie is put in the action category, as it should be, its plot unfolds itself by slowly revealing the machinations of a corrupt and powerful business, that Woods' character is trying to take down for having gyped him at some point in his service. Throughout this development, the movie plays the characters of Woods -the cunning and dangerous hitman- and Dennehy -a just but temperamental cop- off one another. As you can guess, Dennis, the cop, continually suspects Cleave of having some dark secret or another cold trick up his sleeve. This movie's ability to display how Dennis communicates and cooperates with a criminal, who he despises, is what takes this movie beyond bare action and into a fascinating portrayal of personalities caught in the larger struggle of enforcing justice on mega-corporations.

This cracking little thriller features two of Hollywoods most underated actors. James Woods always the 2nd string to better known actors, and Brian Dennehy who is now an award winning stage actor on Broadway.

Without these two actors and the chemistry that develops between them the film wouldn't have worked. Its an interesting story that keeps you guessing where its going (unless you've seen it as many times as I have). The direction by John Flynn is straightforward, and the script by Larry Cohen is pretty sharp. There are a few memorable scenes that will stick with you, and I would say its one of the few films I've seen where it could have been 15 minutes longer.

Woods plays the villian in the film, with Dennehy playing the cop who is now a successful novelist. Something in their past links them together and Woods wants Dennehy to write about it!

If you've managed to miss this film over the last 20 years, its well worth buying, as I have found it certainly holds up to repeated viewings.

A killer hitman working his way to the top. A cop turned novelist barely making ends meet. What do they have in common? Murder. James woods is the extremly cool hitman who always works an angle and always has a backup plan. Together, they plan to go after the biggest criminal tycoon . . .by publishing a nonfiction book exposing his true criminal ties. Now, everyone wants them dead, quiet, or at least want that manuscript burnt. Woods definetly plays it cool and collective in this fine, well put together thriller. I particularly like the fact that the cop-turned-author has a hard time convincing himself that this guy is a killer or that the man he wishes to expose is a big criminal with more ties to corruption than anyone else in new york city. This is classic, anti-buddy movie, action at it's best. There are also shocking mysteries finally unearthed in this rare movie. Enjoy!

6. BEST-SELLER (action, 1987) In 1972, 4-armed-masked men rob the police evidence depository in downtown LA. The thieves kill two cops and fatally would a third one. Surviving, policeman Dennis Meechum (Brian Dennehy) writes a book on the now 'infamous' robbery. The book becomes a best seller making Meechum a part-time writer but full-time cop. He is eventually promoted to Detective. 15 years later, on an undercover job, he meets Cliff (James Woods), a mysterious character whom saves his life. Cliff knows many personal things about Meechum's life, including the fact that ever since his wife's death he has given up writing. He tells him that he can provide him with an assured best seller based on David Matlock (one of the richest men in town). Cliff used to work for Meechum as an assassin, but after years of loyal work, he was dismissed. In order for Meechum to believe him, Cliff takes him on a tour of his previous work and private life (Cliff's wants to be included in the book as its inspiration). An uneasy alliance is formed, as Meechum uncovers Cliff's darkest secrets.

Critique: There are many reasons to like Best-Seller. It has a good, entertaining premise (a rogue assassin on the loose), the moody cinematography (another Adam Greenberg job), and displays a strong performance from the always reliable Brain Dennehy. But best of all, it has what I consider to be James Woods' best role. This capriciously underrated actor has given excellent performances in many films including: the sleazy TV-producer in David Cronenberg's interesting, albeit obscured masterpiece Videodrome (1983), his red-neck southerner in The Onion Field (1979), and in Oliver Stone's sadly neglected Salvador (1986- for which he received an Academy Nominee). In most of his films, Woods has specialized in playing low-life has-beens, who have few redeeming qualities. The only fault I saw in his early roles was that they were too shallow, not allowing the 'actor' enough room to move. In Best-Seller, he plays it cool. The character of Cliff knows what he wants and how to get it, and proves himself worthy of Meechum's respect. What better actor to give us a tour through the life of a criminal, hitman, sleaze-ball, all-nice guy?

QUOTES: Cliff: "Will power is what distinguishes the amateur from the professional. Do you have it Dennis? Will power?..Let's hope so."

This is ONE of James Woods best performances,he plays a
professional Killer and he is very GOOD at his job.
Early in the movie we see Brian Dennehy as a cop at a bank
getting ready to leave,right before his shift ends however
a group of hold up men with mask's come in. Brian being the
good guy he is tries to do his duty by protecting the $$$
BIG MISTAKE! For James(I rule)Woods is one of the guy's
and injures Brian pretty bad. Now speed things up 10 yrs.
Brian writes books and James is a assasin for $$$.I don't
want to say anymore for you need to see this.I will just
say that James wants to frame his boss and have Brian
write the book,there are alot of good scenes in this
like when James is on the run for desertion and has a hitman
after him,the hitman is in Brians house and James has so much
anger in him for this hitman is after him,and not Brian nor
his 7 yr.old daughter. James confronts the hitman.
JAMES:THEY-THEY SENT YOU?? FOR ME!
HITMAN:(SWALLOWS NERVOUSLY) UM...YEAHH.
JAMES:(SEE'S BRIANS DAUGHTER UP STAIRS)HEY..YOU! YOU KNOW ME
I AM A FRIEND OF YOUR FATHER'S.GO TO YOUR ROOM O.K.SWEETIE
GO TO YOUR ROOM AND LOCK THE DOOR..DON'T BE SCARED! THAT'S
A GOOD GIRL.(SHE LOOKS AT HIM) IT'S GOING TO BE O.K. YOU JUST
GO AND LOCK THE DOOR.(JAMES GOES FROM A LOOK OF A FATHER AND CONCERN
TO A LOOK OF A KILLER WHEN HE FOCUSES ON THE HITMAN)WELL..COME ON!!!

The fight scene is not that long but what was great is it looked
VERY real! James being able to do armlocks and chokes as if he
was a trained killer...please this is a must for anyone who
likes thrillers.action and a great story...the scene of James
taking Brian to his home he has not been to in years got
me to wipe my face a lil for his room had not changed and
it had model planes and James acting was so good you can
tell he was never going to see that room again(aw DAMN! I'm
getting teary eye's just thinking of that scene) (cough,sniff)
Anyway see this movie if you have a chance it is ONE of James's
BEST(seller)

Look, this movie is original, compelling, and spectacular for all of the reasons other reviewers have listed. So please don't give me an "unhelpful" because I am pointing out that the hideously colorized, photoshopped DVD package shown above is an abomination. The original poster is a very cool B&W shot with Woods wearing sunglasses. It had the tagline "If words could kill..." the only color being the red on the "Best Seller" title font. I do not know why Hollywood does this to their best films.