Best Seller

Best Seller is directed by John Flynn and written by Larry Cohen. It stars James Woods, Brian Dennehy and Victoria Tennant. Music is by Jay Ferguson and cinematography by Fred Murphy.

Cop Dennis Meechum (Dennehy) survives being shot during a robbery at the police evidence storage and writes a well received book about the events. Years later he's widowed, raising his daughter on his own and suffering from writers block as he tries to write another novel. Into his life comes Cleve (Woods), a mysterious man who saves Meechum's life and announces that he is a paid assassin and wishes Meechum to write a book about his work for a top name in industry......

Only in America Dennis.

It's a lovely hook is this, a cop and a killer paired together, their relationship explored via an uneasy buddy buddy formula, where the fruits of their partnership will bring very differing rewards. Along with the crackerjack turns from Dennehy (lovable burn-out) and Woods (cold-blooded calm), it's the smart screenplay from Cohen that makes Best Seller worthy of a rental at least. How it is going to pan out always keeps one interested in the tale, while there's clearly some snarky observations on America's lust for capital gain. Violence flits in and out to add some bloody pulp to proceedings, but ultimately it's the dialogue, the suspicious mood crafted by Flynn and characterisations that give the film its vitality.

Released in the same year as Lethal Weapon, it appears that Best Seller got lost in the slip-stream of that higher octane fuelled picture (in fact Dennehy gets to say the same "too old for this" line that Glover trademarked in Lethal Weapon). It's not on a par with Donner's movie, and it's far from perfect; the ending is a bit tamer than we would perhaps like and Paul Shenar's villain is a standard suit job, but there's good craft here on the page and on both sides of the camera. 7/10

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!

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.

What looks like a b-grade buddy film (there were plenty around this time and usually looking to be humorous), is far from it. Director John Flynn's 'Best Seller', which was written by Larry Cohen (who makes a crackerjack combination), is actually a stark, stinging and darkly witty and violent crime caper with an out-the-shadow concept. Novel writing (mainly the sharp exchanges and character inserts) and its zesty tempo couldn't be faulted. Even with its talky core, Flynn keeps it gustily hard-boiled and rancorous with its occasional action sequences and lean suspense. Knowing that it heavily relies on the performances to be successful, Flynn sets-up the film around the pairing of James Woods and Brian Denneby. Woods effortlessly vivid and unbalanced performance frighteningly commands attention and Denneby is sensationally rock-steady. The two worked off each other impeccably and build a sympathetic, but also conflicting edge that never feels forced. Cohen's biting script illustrates and develops quite a stimulating, random and unusual relationship between the two. While his usual social commentary (quite a familiar one) and plot devices playing second fiddle to the complex arrangement. The rest of the support cast don't quite have the same impression, but Paul Shenar and Victoria Tennant are good in their roles. The weak points would have to be that of Jay Ferguson's ugly sounding synthesiser score and a mishandled conclusion. A solidly rewarding crime thriller drilled home by two tremendous lead performances.

"Best Seller" is essentially a two character movie. On one hand there is Brian Dennehy as a veteran cop who also writes crime novels based on real events. On the other hand there is James Woods as a professional killer who has been spurned by his former employer (Paul Shenar). He seeks out Dennehy to try to convince him to write his story of how a now rich and powerful magnate rose to the top over the bodies of others.

The first part of the movie involves Woods trying to convince Dennehy that his story is on the level. The second part of the story covers Shenar's attempts to intimidate Woods and Dennehy and prevent the publication of Dennehy's book.

Woods and Dennehy play off of each other marvelously. Woods is cold and calculating as the hit man and Dennehy is torn between his sworn duty as a cop and his desire to get to the truth.

"Best Seller" is not for the faint of heart. There are scenes of graphic violence, which I feel are necessary within the context of the story. The film is worth a look if for nothing else than to watch two veteran performers at their best.