Best Seller 1987

Best Seller

Critics Consensus

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73%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 15

55%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 2,333

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Best Seller Photos

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Movie Info

Police detective and successful author Dennis Meechum (Brian Dennehy) has not been able to write since his wife's death and owes an overdue manuscript to the publisher. When corporate hit man Cleve (James Woods) proposes his life story as a book, Meechum suspects he is a fraud. However, Cleve has proof of his hits for executive David Madlock (Paul Shenar). While this convinces Meechum, it also endangers his daughter (Allison Balson), whom Madlock kidnaps to stop the story from coming out.
  • Rating:
    R
  • Genre:
    drama, crime
  • Original Language:
    English
  • Director:
    John Flynn
  • Producer:
    Carter DeHaven
  • Writer:
    Larry Cohen
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Box Office (Gross USA):
    $$2,870,374
  • Runtime:
  • Production Co:
    Hemdale Studios

Cast & Crew

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
John Flynn
Director
Carter DeHaven
Producer
Larry Cohen
Screenwriter
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Critic Reviews for Best Seller

All Critics (15) | Top Critics (1) | Fresh (11) | Rotten (4)

View All Critic Reviews (15)

Audience Reviews for Best Seller

  • Feb 26, 2013
    Best Seller is a stunning well crafted dramatic thriller that boasts a strong cast and great directing from director John Flynn. James Woods gives a blistering performance as Cleve a contract killer who tells his story to Dennis Meechum, a cop and true crime author. Meechum is also very well acted by Brian Dennehy. This is a well constructed film that is highly engaging from start to finish. The plot is very engaging and in the end it delivers a cat and mouse angle to the plot which is riveting. James Woods' performance alone makes this film worth seeing and he is simply psychotic with a certain charm that adds a lot to the film. Of course the film could have been better and it does fall flat in a few areas. For the most part however, Best Seller is a very good picture that showcases two standout actors at their best. I really liked the conflict that Dennehy brought to the role as he tries to balance the author and the cop part of himself. Best Seller has its flaws, but due to a very good script, it manages to overcome its shortcomings and deliver something quite memorable. This is a film that didn't deserve the flack it has received and it is one of the better dramatic thrillers of the latter half of the 1980's. Best Seller is a film worth checking out and is definitely a film that the critics were wrong about. The performances are great and with that being said, it's what makes this one standout above other movies in this caliber. Don't believe the critics, if you love James Woods, you'll surely enjoy this. Far from perfect, but it is nonetheless a well constructed picture that will grab your attention from the first frame onwards.
    Alex r Super Reviewer
  • Dec 12, 2009
    Way better then I expected.What a good movie
    Brody M Super Reviewer
  • Jun 19, 2006
    Another underrated gem from the 80s.
    Wu C Super Reviewer
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