Themes: On the Campaign Trail, Rise To Power, Political Corruption
Main Cast: Richard Gere, Julie Christie, Gene Hackman, Kate Capshaw, Denzel Washington
Release Year: 1986
Country: US
Run Time: 111 minutes
MPAA Rating: R
Plot
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 once upheld. When things start to go wrong, it looks like Cade's gruff advisor Arnold Billings (Denzel Washington) might hold one of the keys to Pete's discovery of the truth about Cade -- and may be the reason why Hastings is leaving his job. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
Review
An underrated political drama from director Sidney Lumet, who strays outside of his usual New York City confines for a flawed but fascinating tale of Washington, D.C., intrigue that unfortunately didn't hit pay dirt with audiences or critics due to a convoluted mystery plot and some phony domestic drama. While the central scandal at the center of this story proves somewhat anticlimactic, and scenes involving the hero's marital problems ring pretty hollow, what this film is chiefly about is the slick, cynical media manipulation that goes on in political races at every level. Lumet immerses his narrative in the details of exactly how and why it's done, and in these scenes, he renders a fascinating work that's equal parts exposé and primer. Whether advising a client on what to wear, what to say, how to talk, and most significantly, what to believe, or advising a campaign on which voice-over narrator or music to select for an ad campaign, Richard Gere oozes slimy authenticity and nervous, over-caffeinated energy in a scrupulously researched role. Anchored not just by Gere, but also by fine performances from E.G. Marshall and Denzel Washington, Lumet's film frays and crumbles at the edges only when straying too far outside the purview of its protagonist's professional life. That's certainly a serious problem, but not a fatal one by any means. For political process buffs that enjoy films such as The Candidate (1972) and Primary Colors (1998), Power is a solid enough effort to earn a spot on the must-see list. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide
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 Kruger - 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
Credit
William Barclay - Art Director, Joy Todd - Casting, Anna Hill Johnstone - Costume Designer, Sidney Lumet - Director, Andrew Mondshein - Editor, Cy Coleman - Composer (Music Score), Joe Cranzano - Makeup, Richard C. Kratina - Camera Operator, Peter Larkin - Production Designer, Andrzej Bartkowiak - Cinematographer, Kenneth Utt - Production Manager, Reene Schisgal - Producer, Mark Tarlov - Producer, Wolfgang Glattes - Producer, Thomas Tonery - Set Designer, Laurencio Cordero - Special Effects, Peter Odabashian - Sound Editor, David Himmelstein - Screenwriter
