Power (1986)
Average Rating: 5.6/10
Reviews Counted: 11
Fresh: 6 | Rotten: 5
No consensus yet.
Average Rating: N/A
Critic Reviews: 2
Fresh: 1 | Rotten: 1
liked it
Average Rating: 3/5
User Ratings: 2,043
My Rating
Movie Info
A star-studded cast portrays political movers and shakers in this drama about politics and the media. Richard Gere is Pete St. John, a gilt-edged "image" advisor to the likes of powerful and often crooked politicians -- including a South American candidate for the top office in his country and, reluctantly, a conservative industrialist named Jerome Cade (J.T. Walsh). Cade is after a Senate seat vacated by Sam Hastings (E.G. Marshall), a liberal politician who fits in with the views that Pete
Jan 31, 1986 Wide
May 18, 1999
Lorimar Home Video
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Cast
-
Richard Gere
Pete St. John -
Julie Christie
Ellen Freeman -
Gene Hackman
Wilfred Buckley -
Kate Capshaw
Sydney Betterman -
Denzel Washington
Arnold Billing -
E.G. Marshall
Sen. Sam Hastings -
Beatrice Straight
Claire Hastings -
Fritz Weaver
Wallace Furman -
Michael Learned
Gov. Andrea Stannard -
J.T. Walsh
Jerome Cade -
E. Katherine Kerr
Irene Furman -
Polly Rowles
Lucille DeWitt -
Matt Salinger
Phillip Aarons -
Tom Mardirosian
Sheikh -
Omar Torres
Robert Cepeda -
Jackson Beck
The Voice -
Darryl Edwards
Waiter -
Robert Fieldsteel
Assistant Director -
Roger Grimsby
Commentator -
Kevin Hagen
Cop -
Margaret Hall
Commentator -
Donna Hanover
Commentator -
Scott Harlan
Ralph Andropwicz -
Noel Harrison
Leonard Thompson -
Jessica James
Helen -
Glenn Kezer
Frank McKuster -
Burke Pearson
City Clerk -
Janet Sarno
Moderator -
Ron Stein
Stunt Cameraman -
D.B. Sweeney
College Student -
Rick van Nutter
Charles Whiting -
Kristi Witker
Commentator -
Margaret Barker
Wealthy Matron -
Frank Casey
Commentator -
Leila Danette
Poor Woman -
Linda de Niro
Desk Clerk -
Nick Flynn
Wilson Jacobs -
Ricardo Gallarzo
Interpreter -
Jim Hartz
Commentator -
Brad Holbrook
Commentator -
Timothy Jecko
Business Executive -
Elizabeth Kendrick
Receptionist -
Lynn Klugman
Video Technician -
Robert Krüger
Barry -
Douglas Newell
David Garber -
Martha Pinson
Assistant -
Marvin Scott
Anchorman -
Gregory Wagrowski
Assistant Director -
Jack Zahniser
Pilot -
John Evans
1st Senator -
Ed Van Nuys
Charles Whiting
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Power Trailer & Photos
All Critics (14) | Top Critics (4) | Fresh (6) | Rotten (5) | DVD (1)
There is little of the gratuitous hysteria that usually mars Lumet's work, and David Himmelstein's busy script keeps things moving, though at the price of losing track of a couple of significant subplots.
Top CriticThe movie seems to be asking us to walk out of the theater shaking our heads in disillusionment, but I was more puzzled than disillusioned.
A misfire satire that preaches against slick political practices by high-powered political consultants.
Gere is a revelation
Presents a provocative glimpse of the important role media experts play in the political process today.
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Foreign Titles
- Les coulisses du pouvoir (FR)
Also, I don't think Power is structurally sound. It seems awfully episodic and stagey. I normally don't blame a film for this, but the piling on of scene upon scene with stagnant shots and relatively stagnant dialogue affects the film's pace.
Finally, Lumet gives little clues as to who the bad guy is. In Find Me Guilty, the prosecutor has a whiny, petulant moment, and I immediately knew he was going to lose. In Power, Washington's character is introduced associating with an Arab, and in Hollywood, Arabs equal "bad" and "oil." Yes, Power is more than a little bit racist.
On the bright side, it was great seeing Denzel Washington saying "fuck."