A hitman approachs a writer to help him create the next best seller on his career, but the violent world he was a part of has other plans.
Marlon Wayans explains how a White Chicks sequel could still be in the future, even 15 years after the movie's first release.
Related News
-
Today in Soap Opera History (November 25)
27 November 2018 | We Love Soaps -
J.J. Abrams to Receive Athena Film Fest’s 2018 Leading Man Award
18 December 2017 | Women and Hollywood -
Darth Vader and Thrawn Team Up in First Look at New Star Wars Book
24 November 2017 | MovieWeb
User Lists
Related lists from IMDb users
Share this Rating
Title: Best Seller (1987)
Want to share IMDb's rating on your own site? Use the HTML below.
2 nominations.
See more awards »
Learn more
More Like This
Cop
(1988)
Crime
|
Drama
|
Mystery
Director:
James B. Harris
Stars:
James Woods,
Lesley Ann Warren,
Charles Durning
The Outfit
(1973)
Drama
|
Thriller
Director:
John Flynn
Stars:
Robert Duvall,
Karen Black,
Joe Don Baker
The Onion Field
(1979)
Crime
|
Drama
Director:
Harold Becker
Stars:
John Savage,
James Woods,
Franklyn Seales
True Believer
(1989)
Crime
|
Drama
Director:
Joseph Ruben
Stars:
James Woods,
Robert Downey Jr.,
Margaret Colin
The Boost
(1988)
Drama
|
Romance
Director:
Harold Becker
Stars:
James Woods,
Sean Young,
John Kapelos
Defiance
(1980)
Action
|
Drama
|
Crime
Director:
John Flynn
Stars:
Jan-Michael Vincent,
Theresa Saldana,
Danny Aiello
F/X
(1986)
Action
|
Thriller
Director:
Robert Mandel
Stars:
Bryan Brown,
Brian Dennehy,
Diane Venora
Diggstown
(1992)
Drama
|
Sport
Director:
Michael Ritchie
Stars:
James Woods,
Louis Gossett Jr.,
Bruce Dern
Rolling Thunder
(1977)
Crime
|
Drama
|
Thriller
Director:
John Flynn
Stars:
William Devane,
Tommy Lee Jones,
Linda Haynes
Protection
(2001)
Thriller
Director:
John Flynn
Stars:
Stephen Baldwin,
Peter Gallagher,
Aron Tager
Blue Steel
(1990)
Action
|
Crime
|
Drama
Director:
Kathryn Bigelow
Stars:
Jamie Lee Curtis,
Ron Silver,
Clancy Brown
Edit
Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| James Woods | ... | Cleve | |
| Brian Dennehy | ... | Dennis Meechum | |
| Victoria Tennant | ... | Roberta Gillian | |
| Allison Balson | ... | Holly Meechum | |
| Paul Shenar | ... | David Madlock | |
| George Coe | ... | Graham | |
 |
Anne Pitoniak | ... | Mrs. Foster |
| Mary Carver | ... | Cleve's Mother | |
| Sully Boyar | ... | Monks | |
| Kathleen Lloyd | ... | Annie | |
| Charles Tyner | ... | Cleve's Father (as Harold Tyner) | |
|
|
E. Brian Dean | ... | Taxi Driver |
|
|
Jeffrey Josephson | ... | Pearlman |
|
|
Edward Blackoff | ... | Thorn |
| Branscombe Richmond | ... | Longshoreman #1 | |
Edit
Plot Summary
|
Plot Synopsis
Storyline
Hit man Cleve approaches writer/cop Dennis about a story for his next book: How Cleve made a living, working for one of the most powerful politicians in the country. To get the story right, they travel around the country to gather statements and evidence, while strong forces use any means they can to keep the story untold. Written by Lars Skogan <si2_ls92362@debet.nhh.no>
Taglines:
If words could kill... See more »Parents Guide:
View content advisory »
Edit
Edit
See more on IMDbPro »
See full technical specs »
Details
Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
25 September 1987 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Hard Cover See more »Edit
Box Office
Gross USA:
$4,278,150Company Credits
Show more on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
DolbyColor:
ColorAspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1
Edit
Did You Know?
Trivia
The American president whose likeness was used as the face on the masks during the 1972 robbery was Richard Nixon. See more »Goofs
While the robbery at the beginning of the movie was set in 1972, the robbers are driving a 1975-1978 Ford Econoline van. See more »Connections
Referenced in Lost Soul: The Doomed Journey of Richard Stanley's Island of Dr. Moreau (2014) See more »Frequently Asked Questions
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.Contribute to This Page
On IMDb TV, you can catch Hollywood hits and popular TV series at no cost. Select any poster below to play the movie, totally free!
Explore popular action and adventure titles available to stream with Prime Video.
6. BEST-SELLER (action, 1987) In 1972, Policeman Meechum (Brian Dennehy) survives an armed robbery, which in turn inspires him to write a book about his ordeal. It becomes a best seller. Years later he meets Cliff (James Woods), a mysterious loner who saves his life. Cliff knows many personal things about Meechum's life and tells him that he can provide him with another assured best seller. In order for Meechum to believe him, Cliff takes him on a tour of his previous work as a hit-man. An uneasy alliance is formed, as Cliff's darkest secrets reveal his own.
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 to date.
This capriciously underrated 1-time character-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-his breakthrough film), 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 earlier roles was immaturity, and the lack thereof of making his characters work. 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, hit-man, 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."