Looker (1981)

User Rating:

5.9/10   

Director:

Michael Crichton

Writer:

Michael Crichton (written by)

Release Date:

30 October 1981 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Sci-Fi | Thriller

Tagline:

If Looks Could Kill...

Plot:

Plastic surgeon Larry Roberts performs a series of minor alterations on a group of models who are seeking perfection...

Plot Keywords:

Model | Plastic Surgeon | Perfection | Computer | Cosmetic Surgery

Awards:

1 win

Cast

Albert Finney	...	Dr. Larry Roberts
James Coburn	...	John Reston
Susan Dey	...	Cindy Fairmont
Leigh Taylor-Young	...	Jennifer Long
Dorian Harewood	...	Lieutenant Masters
Tim Rossovich	...	Moustache Man
Darryl Hickman	...	Dr. Jim Belfield
Kathryn Witt	...	Tina Cassidy
Terri Welles	...	Lisa Convey
Michael Hawkins	...	Senator Robert Harrison (as Michael Gainsborough)
Ashley Cox	...	Candy
Donna Kei Benz	...	Ellen (as Donna Benz)
Catherine Parks	...	Jan
Terry Kiser	...	Commercial Director
Georgann Johnson	...	Cindy's Mother

Runtime:

93 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:16 | Canada:18A | France:U | Australia:M | Finland:K-16 | Norway:16 | UK:15 | USA:PG | West Germany:16

Company:

Ladd Company, The

Trivia:

Kim Carnes recorded her own version of the title song for her album "Voyeur" (1982). The title song in the movie was performed by Sue Saad.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: At precisely 4:50 (DVD timing), when the model opens her apartment door and her dog barks, you can clearly see the trainer's hand motioning for the dog to turn around (lower right hand corner of the screen).

Quotes:

John Reston: Television can control public opinion more effectively than armies of secret police, because television is entirely voluntary. The American government forces our children to attend school, but nobody forces them to watch T.V. Americans of all ages *submit* to television...

Movie Connections:

Features "The Lucy Show" (1962)

Soundtrack:

HIGH WIRE

UNSUNG THRILLER FROM MICHAEL CRICHTON

Michael Crichton's "Looker" is a challenging and intelligent thriller that's better than you would expect. Since most reviews of the film are negative, that's created an unfair bias against it. That's a shame because this film is a pleasure to watch.

The plot is like a Rubik's Cube. Just when you thought you had it figured out, WHAM!! a twist comes out of nowhere and confounds the viewer. That's one of the films' pleasures.

The stylish photography is another plus. A key part of all of Crichton's films is the flashy, stylish photography and that's no exception here. Shot by Paul Lohmann in Panavision, "Looker" often looks and feels like "Westworld" mixed with "Coma" polished with lemon pledge. It's atmospheric and great to look at.

The performances are another key. Albert Finney, entering the horror cycle of his career (with this and another 1981 release "Wolfen", which contains many of the same elements that make this so good), projects fear and calm every scene he's in and it's another strong performance from one of our most underrated actors (he's never won an Oscar; a thought that boggled the mind). It seems fitting that he's paired up with another underrated actor, James Coburn. In a time where he was making one horrible film after another (until his renaissance in 1997), it's good to see him in a good film for a change.

I have some problems with the plot, mostly things that are left unexplained (the American TV/European theatrical version restores 15 minutes of story that fills in these holes) Now that I think about it, that's a good thing. Crichton wants us to be confused just like his hero and part of the fun is figuring everything out as he does.

"Looker" is a film that deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as "Westworld", "Coma" and "The Great Train Robbery". It shows impeccable skill and masterful direction that lesser talents have shown in bigger hits than this. It's worth a look.

**** out of 4 stars