Looker (1981)

Plastic surgeon Larry Roberts performs a series of minor alterations on a group of models who are seeking perfection. The operations are a resounding success. But when someone starts ... See full summary »

Director:

Michael Crichton

Writer:

Michael Crichton

Stars:

Albert Finney, James Coburn, Susan Dey

1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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

Storyline

Plastic surgeon Larry Roberts performs a series of minor alterations on a group of models who are seeking perfection. The operations are a resounding success. But when someone starts killing his beautiful patients, Dr. Roberts becomes suspicious and starts investigating. What he uncovers are the mysterious - and perhaps murderous - activities of a high-tech computer company called Digital Matrix.

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Plot Keywords:

cyberpunk | digital | commercial | surgery | computer | 

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Taglines:

If looks could kill...

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Genres:

Drama | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

30 October 1981 (USA)

Also Known As:

As Belas São Assassinadas

Filming Locations:

Art Center College of Design, Pasadena, California, USA

Box Office

Gross USA:

$3,282,232

Company Credits

Production Co:

The Ladd Company,Warner Bros.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

93 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Some of the super-model lookers were portrayed by Playboy Playmates. The actress who play Lisa (Terri Welles) was a reigning 'Playboy Playmate of the Year' (1981) along with Ashley Cox (she is seen as one of the Starting Line Lingerie models and in a later scene during the film's climax. Playboy Magazine also has another connection - during its early years the publication did publish the Ian Fleming's James Bond short stories where the magazine and the subsequent Bond franchise have a long association (as depicted in several films); lead actor Albert Finney would later star in Skyfall (2012) as Kincaid (the keeper of the Skyfall estate) which was released during the 50th anniversary of the James Bond film series.

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Goofs

Near the beginning, Lisa the model is shot by the LOOKER gun while in her doorway. She recovers and as she walks into the bedroom there is nothing on the bed. She opens the closet door and picks up the dog, and as she turns around the case for the gun is now on the bed. She was not shot again until after she left the bedroom.

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Quotes

Cindy Fairmont: Hi. I'm Cindy. I'm the perfect female type: 18-25. I'm here to sell for you.

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Alternate Versions

The broadcast television version contains additional footage, including a scene where Reston () explains to Dr. Roberts ( and Cindy ('Susan Dey') why Digital Matrix had the "perfect" models killed.

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Connections

Referenced in The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson: Ricky Schroder/Sean Morey/Jeana Tomasino (1980)

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Soundtracks

High Wire
Music and Lyrics by Barry De Vorzon and Mike Towers (as Michael Towers)
Performed by Sue Saad

User Reviews

UNSUNG THRILLER FROM MICHAEL CRICHTON

Michael Crichton's "Looker" is a challenging and intelligent thriller that's better than you would expect. Since most reviews of the film are negative, that's created an unfair bias against it. That's a shame because this film is a pleasure to watch.

The plot is like a Rubik's Cube. Just when you thought you had it figured out, WHAM!! a twist comes out of nowhere and confounds the viewer. That's one of the films' pleasures.

The stylish photography is another plus. A key part of all of Crichton's films is the flashy, stylish photography and that's no exception here. Shot by Paul Lohmann in Panavision, "Looker" often looks and feels like "Westworld" mixed with "Coma" polished with lemon pledge. It's atmospheric and great to look at.

The performances are another key. Albert Finney, entering the horror cycle of his career (with this and another 1981 release "Wolfen", which contains many of the same elements that make this so good), projects fear and calm every scene he's in and it's another strong performance from one of our most underrated actors (he's never won an Oscar; a thought that boggled the mind). It seems fitting that he's paired up with another underrated actor, James Coburn. In a time where he was making one horrible film after another (until his renaissance in 1997), it's good to see him in a good film for a change.

I have some problems with the plot, mostly things that are left unexplained (the American TV/European theatrical version restores 15 minutes of story that fills in these holes) Now that I think about it, that's a good thing. Crichton wants us to be confused just like his hero and part of the fun is figuring everything out as he does.

"Looker" is a film that deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as "Westworld", "Coma" and "The Great Train Robbery". It shows impeccable skill and masterful direction that lesser talents have shown in bigger hits than this. It's worth a look.

**** out of 4 stars