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Looker

  • 19811981
  • PGPG
  • 1h 33m
IMDb RATING
6.0/10
5.4K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Michael Crichton, Susan Dey, Albert Finney, Vanna White, and Tawny Moyer in Looker (1981)
Home Video Trailer from Warner Home Video
Play trailer1:29
1 Video
99+ Photos
  • Drama
  • Sci-Fi
  • Thriller
Three of four models, who had plastic surgery done by Larry after a computed list, are dead. Neither the cops nor Larry believe they're suicides. Larry investigates and stays with the fourth... Read allThree of four models, who had plastic surgery done by Larry after a computed list, are dead. Neither the cops nor Larry believe they're suicides. Larry investigates and stays with the fourth model. Who's behind the lists and murders?Three of four models, who had plastic surgery done by Larry after a computed list, are dead. Neither the cops nor Larry believe they're suicides. Larry investigates and stays with the fourth model. Who's behind the lists and murders?
IMDb RATING
6.0/10
5.4K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Michael Crichton
  • Writer
    • Michael Crichton
  • Stars
    • Albert Finney
    • James Coburn
    • Susan Dey
Top credits
  • Director
    • Michael Crichton
  • Writer
    • Michael Crichton
  • Stars
    • Albert Finney
    • James Coburn
    • Susan Dey
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 60User reviews
    • 59Critic reviews
    • 20Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win & 1 nomination

    Videos1

    Looker
    Trailer 1:29
    Looker

    Photos130

    Looker (1981)
    Susan Dey and Albert Finney in Looker (1981)
    Looker (1981)
    Looker (1981)
    Susan Dey in Looker (1981)
    Susan Dey in Looker (1981)
    Looker (1981)
    Looker (1981)
    Looker (1981)
    Looker (1981)
    Looker (1981)
    Looker (1981)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Albert Finney
    Albert Finney
    • Dr. Larry Robertsas Dr. Larry Roberts
    James Coburn
    James Coburn
    • John Restonas John Reston
    Susan Dey
    Susan Dey
    • Cindy Fairmontas Cindy Fairmont
    Leigh Taylor-Young
    Leigh Taylor-Young
    • Jennifer Longas Jennifer Long
    Dorian Harewood
    Dorian Harewood
    • Lieutenant Mastersas Lieutenant Masters
    Tim Rossovich
    Tim Rossovich
    • Moustache Manas Moustache Man
    Darryl Hickman
    Darryl Hickman
    • Dr. Jim Belfieldas Dr. Jim Belfield
    Kathryn Witt
    • Tina Cassidyas Tina Cassidy
    Terri Welles
    • Lisa Conveyas Lisa Convey
    Michael Hawkins
    • Senator Robert Harrisonas Senator Robert Harrison
    • (as Michael Gainsborough)
    Ashley Cox
    Ashley Cox
    • Candyas Candy
    Donna Kei Benz
    • Ellenas Ellen
    • (as Donna Benz)
    Catherine Parks
    Catherine Parks
    • Janas Jan
    Terry Kiser
    Terry Kiser
    • Commercial Directoras Commercial Director
    Georgann Johnson
    Georgann Johnson
    • Cindy's Motheras Cindy's Mother
    Richard Venture
    Richard Venture
    • Cindy's Fatheras Cindy's Father
    Anthony Charnota
    • Master's Assistantas Master's Assistant
    Terrence E. McNally
    • Technician in Scanning Roomas Technician in Scanning Room
    • (as Terrence McNally)
    • Director
      • Michael Crichton
    • Writer
      • Michael Crichton
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The first ever film to create 3D shading with a computer that produced the first ever CGI human character was the model Cindy (Susan Dey). This movie achieved this feat before Disney's more famous TRON (1982) hit the screens. The Web site Filmsite said of Cindy: "Her digitization was visualized by a computer-generated simulation of her body being scanned--notably the first use of shaded 3D CGI in a feature film. Polygonal models obtained by digitizing a human body were used to render the effects."
    • Goofs
      When Dr. Roberts is looking for a hiding place for the key card, the clock on his bookshelf indicates that the time is 2.30. Seconds later, it has jumped forward 15 minutes, showing 2.45. We know this is before he's been hypnotized because the negative effect hasn't been used yet and the background music has been playing continuously.
    • Quotes

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

    • 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.
    • Connections
      Featured in Room 237 (2012)
    • Soundtracks
      Looker
      Music and Lyrics by Barry De Vorzon and Mike Towers (as Michael Towers)

      Performed by Sue Saad

    User reviews60

    Review
    Top review
    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
    helpful•58
    10
    • KatMiss
    • May 22, 2001

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 30, 1981 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Kein Mord von der Stange
    • Filming locations
      • Art Center College of Design, Pasadena, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • The Ladd Company
      • Warner Bros.
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $8,000,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 33 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39 : 1

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    Michael Crichton, Susan Dey, Albert Finney, Vanna White, and Tawny Moyer in Looker (1981)
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