Looker (1981)

User Rating:

5.9/10   

Director:

Michael Crichton

Writer:

Michael Crichton (written by)

Release Date:

30 October 1981 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Sci-Fi | Thriller

Tagline:

If Looks Could Kill...

Plot:

Plastic surgeon Larry Roberts performs a series of minor alterations on a group of models who are seeking perfection...

Plot Keywords:

Model | Plastic Surgeon | Perfection | Computer | Cosmetic Surgery

Awards:

1 win

Cast

Albert Finney	...	Dr. Larry Roberts
James Coburn	...	John Reston
Susan Dey	...	Cindy Fairmont
Leigh Taylor-Young	...	Jennifer Long
Dorian Harewood	...	Lieutenant Masters
Tim Rossovich	...	Moustache Man
Darryl Hickman	...	Dr. Jim Belfield
Kathryn Witt	...	Tina Cassidy
Terri Welles	...	Lisa Convey
Michael Hawkins	...	Senator Robert Harrison (as Michael Gainsborough)
Ashley Cox	...	Candy
Donna Kei Benz	...	Ellen (as Donna Benz)
Catherine Parks	...	Jan
Terry Kiser	...	Commercial Director
Georgann Johnson	...	Cindy's Mother

Runtime:

93 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:16 | Canada:18A | France:U | Australia:M | Finland:K-16 | Norway:16 | UK:15 | USA:PG | West Germany:16

Company:

Ladd Company, The

Trivia:

Kim Carnes recorded her own version of the title song for her album "Voyeur" (1982). The title song in the movie was performed by Sue Saad.

Goofs:

Factual errors: In the climax of the movie, Reston (James Coburn) and his thug (Tim Rossovich) are seen carrying revolvers with silencers. Silencers do not work with revolvers, only semi-automatic firearms.

Quotes:

John Reston: Television can control public opinion more effectively than armies of secret police, because television is entirely voluntary. The American government forces our children to attend school, but nobody forces them to watch T.V. Americans of all ages *submit* to television...

Movie Connections:

Features "The Lucy Show" (1962)

Soundtrack:

LOOKER

"Looker" worth another look...

Nearing its 20th birthday, "Looker" still holds up today as a solid techno-thriller. Expertly tucking a government/industrial conspiracy beneath a blanket of computer-phobic tension, the film manages to predate the success of the "X-Files" before cyberspace became a household word.

Finney and Coburn are subtly superb in their roles, while Crichton (unintentionally) satirizes a media-saturated culture ripe for the string-pulling. Barry De Vorzon's score is hauntingly impressive (and sadly, unavailable in soundtrack form) as is the cheesy 80's title track performed by Sue Saad (later covered by Kim Carnes on her "Voyeur" album).

People have slammed the script for its lack of explanation... however, a 15-minute scene depicting a rather detailed "summing up" of the plot was deleted from the theatrical/home video cut, but did make the film's network TV airings. With or without the scene, the film is an often-overlooked gem I would strongly recommend to anyone in the mood for a slick, sci-fi thriller.