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IMDbPro

Best Seller

  • 19871987
  • RR
  • 1h 35m
IMDb RATING
6.4/10
5.5K
YOUR RATING
James Woods and Brian Dennehy in Best Seller (1987)
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.
Play trailer1:45
1 Video
66 Photos
  • Action
  • Crime
  • Drama
A hitman approaches a writer to help him create his next best seller, but the violent world he was a part of has other plans.A hitman approaches a writer to help him create his next best seller, but the violent world he was a part of has other plans.A hitman approaches a writer to help him create his next best seller, but the violent world he was a part of has other plans.
IMDb RATING
6.4/10
5.5K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • John Flynn
  • Writer
    • Larry Cohen
  • Stars
    • James Woods
    • Brian Dennehy
    • Victoria Tennant
Top credits
  • Director
    • John Flynn
  • Writer
    • Larry Cohen
  • Stars
    • James Woods
    • Brian Dennehy
    • Victoria Tennant
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 40User reviews
    • 40Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 nominations

    Videos1

    Trailer
    Trailer 1:45
    Trailer

    Photos66

    Still of James Woods, Brian Dennehy and Sydney Urshan in Best Seller (1987)
    James Woods and Brian Dennehy in Best Seller (1987)
    James Woods and Brian Dennehy in Best Seller (1987)
    James Woods and Brian Dennehy in Best Seller (1987)
    James Woods and Brian Dennehy in Best Seller (1987)
    Best Seller (1987)
    James Woods in Best Seller (1987)
    Best Seller (1987)
    James Woods and Brian Dennehy in Best Seller (1987)
    James Woods in Best Seller (1987)
    Best Seller (1987)
    Brian Dennehy in Best Seller (1987)

    Top cast

    Edit
    James Woods
    James Woods
    • Cleveas Cleve
    Brian Dennehy
    Brian Dennehy
    • Dennis Meechumas Dennis Meechum
    Victoria Tennant
    Victoria Tennant
    • Roberta Gillianas Roberta Gillian
    Allison Balson
    Allison Balson
    • Holly Meechumas Holly Meechum
    Paul Shenar
    Paul Shenar
    • David Madlockas David Madlock
    George Coe
    George Coe
    • Grahamas Graham
    Anne Pitoniak
    • Mrs. Fosteras Mrs. Foster
    Mary Carver
    Mary Carver
    • Cleve's Motheras Cleve's Mother
    Sully Boyar
    Sully Boyar
    • Monksas Monks
    Kathleen Lloyd
    Kathleen Lloyd
    • Annieas Annie
    Charles Tyner
    Charles Tyner
    • Cleve's Fatheras Cleve's Father
    • (as Harold Tyner)
    E. Brian Dean
    • Taxi Driveras Taxi Driver
    Jeffrey Josephson
    • Pearlmanas Pearlman
    Edward Blackoff
    • Thornas Thorn
    Branscombe Richmond
    Branscombe Richmond
    • Longshoreman #1as Longshoreman #1
    J.P. Bumstead
    • Rothmanas Rothman
    William Bronder
    • Foleyas Foley
    Jenny Gago
    Jenny Gago
    • Woman in Laundryas Woman in Laundry
    • Director
      • John Flynn
    • Writer
      • Larry Cohen
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      James Woods had just quit smoking prior to filming. When it came time to shoot the cigarette on the palm scene, Woods suggested he take an already lit cigarette off of a patron--that way he wouldn't have to light and smoke a cigarette.
    • Goofs
      While the robbery at the beginning of the movie was set in 1972, the robbers are driving a 1975-1978 Ford Econoline van.
    • Quotes

      Cleve: [as he menaces Roberta Gillian with a knife] Am I sympathetic? Will they like me? Please don't lie to me! Is it an important book?

    • Connections
      Referenced in Lost Soul: The Doomed Journey of Richard Stanley's Island of Dr. Moreau (2014)

    User reviews40

    Review
    Top review
    An unlikely buddy film that works.
    This is a thoroughly enjoyable B movie that came and went quickly from the big screen back in the late 80's. I happened to catch it then--and now own it in my movie collection.

    Woods plays Cleve, a brilliant and perhaps psychotic former hit-man, who wants Dennis, a cop turned author (Brian Dennehy), to write his story. He also wants to expose his former employers. Cleve ensures Dennis that the book will be a "Best Seller" and begins taking Dennis on a lurid tour of his former hits.

    Like most films, this doesn't transfer quite as well onto the small screen, but it is still well worth the viewing; (plus you get to hear James Woods warble a tune in French). Actually, Woods is way cool in this film, and delivers some of his most compelling work ever. Brian Dennehy pulls off the tough task of making the writer character equally interesting and compelling. An unlikely buddy film that has plenty of action, makes you care, and quite simply--works.
    helpful•16
    3
    • christopherleebrick
    • Oct 9, 2006

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 25, 1987 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Hard Cover
    • Filming locations
      • Los Angeles City Hall - 200 North Spring Street, Downtown, Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Hemdale
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $4,278,150
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $905,399
      • Sep 27, 1987
    • Gross worldwide
      • $4,278,150
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 35 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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