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 | global positioning satelite | television set | digital | commercial | 

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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

The fictional products advertised in the Looker commercials were for Ravish, Believe, Liberty, Warrior, New Wave, and Spurt Toothpaste.

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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

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. Television is the American ideal. Persuasion without coercion. Nobody makes us watch. Who could have predicted that a *free* people would voluntarily spend one fifth of their lives sitting in front of a *box* with pictures? ...

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Alternate Versions

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

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Connections

Featured in Room 237 (2012)

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Soundtracks

Flute Concerto, Op.10, No.2, RV439, La notte
(uncredited)
Composed by Antonio Vivaldi

User Reviews

"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.