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This is an interesting, action filled, suspenseful, and violent thriller adequately narrated. Concerns L. A. Detective/bestselling author with writer's block Meechum (Brian Dennehy) is a burnt-out wreck whose sideline as a crime novelist has dried up since his wife's death; he, nowadays, lives only with his daughter Holly (Allison Balson). Sleazy, amoral hit-man Cleve (James Woods) steps out of Meechum's past and offers him the dirt on his ex-boss Madlock (Paul Shenar), major league criminal turned legitimate corporation chief. Along the way, Cleve is a cold murderer who carries out grisly killings without mercy and in cold blood, but he now wants his own story written. The deal is that Meechum gets to write again and Cleve gets to be the hero of a hard-hitting exposé of Madlock's bloodstained past. Both of whom move towards a grudging respect for their manic alter ego. A hired assassin, a cop turned author, together they're rewriting the rulebook on the Mob !. Writing A Book Is Easy. Writing A Best Seller Is Murder. If words could kill...

This Larry Cohen-scripted thriller reworks the old idea of the symbiotic relationship between a killer and a policeman, adding a new twist. A superbly gritty thriller in which Dennehy is pretty good as the jaded cop and he is paired well with the psychotic Woods. It's a tense and engagingly movie, some ignored in the Eighties, but now better regarded than the past. Furthermore, an explosive finale, violently proceeded with bloody images and a lot of crossfire. Tough action, hardboiled dialogue and tightly constructed storyline keep the action bloody and crisp, while the jaundiced swipes at American capitalism are laced with cynism. Unfortunately, the potentially breathtaking confrontation between two-fisted James Woods and convincing Brian Dennehy never quite lives up to expectations. A solid main cast, and the veteran supporting actors help, including several known secondaries, such as: Victoria Tennat, Paul Shenar, George Coe and brief appearances from Seymour Cassel, Kathleen Lloyd and Charles Tyner.

Flynn's lean shooting achieves a gritty B film edge as sparks fly, adding an exciting musical score in 80s style by Jay Ferguson. Craftsman director John Flynn made nice films, though some of them sunk in obscurity, and he gave notable performances to Rod Steiger (The sergeant), Jan-Michael Vincent(Defiance), Silvester Stallone (Lock-up) and even Steven Seagal (Out of justice); here he gave immense credibility to Brian Dennehy and James Woods. Flynn began to work as a second unit director and film assistant on such features as "Kid Galahad," "Two for the Seesaw," and "The Great Escape." Soon after, Flynn made his debut with the unknown "The Sergeant" with Rod Steiger. He went on with the equally little seen "The Jerusalem File." John scored his first substantial commercial hit: "The Outfit" with a star-studded cast and providing an awesome acting from Robert Duval. Flynn achieved his greatest enduring cult popularity with the really strong and potent vendetta thriller winner "Rolling Thunder" with William Devane. His subsequent movies are likewise solid and worthwhile; they include the thrilling urban vigilante opus "Defiance," the sturdy Sylvester Stallone prison drama "Lock Up," a Steven Seagal action vehicle "Out for Justice," and the nifty virtual reality horror outing "Brainscan." John did two made-for-cable-TV pictures in the early 90s: "Nails" and the acceptable crime drama "Scam." His last film was the passable direct-to-video mobster item "Protection". ¨Best Seller¨ rating : 6.5/10. Good, the result is an enjoyable outing of action thriller genre.

People rush over themselves to praise Al Pacino and Robert De Niro so much that some other great actors who made an impact in the 1970s get overlooked. James Caan is one name that immediately springs to mind, and James Woods is another. Both have appeared in some sub-standard stuff over the years (as have Pacino and De Niro for that matter), but at their best they were/are as good as anybody working today. Twenty years ago Woods starred in one of my all time favourite movies David Cronenberg's stunning 'Videodrome'. He'd already been around for years getting solid character parts but I thought after 'Videodrome', and subsequently co-starring with De Niro in Sergio Leone's 'Once Upon A Time In America', he was going to be recognized as one of the greatest actors of his generation. Sadly for some reason this just didn't happen. Even so I highly recommend underrated 1980s Woods movies like 'Cop', 'The Boost' and this one, 'Best Seller', for some of his greatest performances. The movie itself occasionally gets a bit cheesy in an 80s kind of way, especially the synth score from Jay Ferguson, but overall it's a cut above a lot of similar movies from the period. Director John Flynn had previously made the seriously underrated revenge classic 'Rolling Thunder', and the movie was scripted by exploitation legend Larry Cohen ('Black Caesar', 'Q', 'Maniac Cop', 'The Stuff'). 'Best Seller' isn't quite as good as 'Rolling Thunder', but it's a must see because of Woods, who is just terrific. No-one can play intense like Woods with the possible exception of Christopher Walken. Brian Dennehy is also very good, and Paul Shenar (Sosa from 'Scarface') makes a great villain. Also keep an eye out for a blink and you'll miss it cameo by Seymour Cassel ('In The Soup') as a hired goon. I can't say that 'Best Seller' is one of the greatest thrillers I've ever seen, but it's definitely worth your time, and James Woods playing misunderstood psycho hitman Cleve is an experience not to be missed!

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."

I watched this because imdb users rated it well, and I wasn't disappointed. The casting of woods and brian dennehy is perfect which helps to make the story of an ex-hitman telling his story to cop-turned-author believable. Scenes at woods" boyhood home, and his parents also help; Woods" ex-hitman character is written and played as a real, multi-dimensional person, not as a stereotype.. The scene about the gift in the plane and his wanting to befriend dennehy, are quite touching.

James Woods plays a hit man named Cleve, who contacts a successful true crime author & former cop Dennis Meechum(played by Brian Dennehy) who got his start after he was the sole survivor of a deadly holdup at the police evidence department years earlier. Cleve wants Dennis to write his life story, which he feels is most interesting, and as a way to get back at his former employer, a powerful corporation he helped build. Meechum is intrigued but also skeptical, so Cleve takes him on a tour of his past, both with his parents and also his "assignments". Dennis learns that Cleve has a deeper connection to him than he realizes, and that some powerful forces don't want this proposed book published...

Little-seen thriller is quite well done, with fine acting by the leads, and efficient direction and story. Almost goes wrong toward the end with the expected violent finale, but is still exciting enough to compensate, with the well-plotted story unfolding most effectively.

Worth catching on DVD.