Power

Overview

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.

Product Details

Release Date:	06/27/2017
UPC:	0888574489212
Original Release:	1986
Rating:	R
Source:	Warner Archives
Presentation:	[Wide Screen]
Language:	English
Time:	1:51:00
Sales rank:	43,496

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Richard Gere	Pete St. John
Julie Christie	Ellen Freeman
Gene Hackman	Wilfred Buckley
Kate Capshaw	Sydnet Betterman
Denzel Washington	Arnold Billings
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	Roberto Cepeda
John Evans	1st Senator,1st Senator
Ricardo Gallarzo	Interpreter
Jessica James	Helen
Rick van Nutter	Charles Whiting
Glenn Kezer	Frank McKusker
Douglas Newell	David Garber
Scott Harlan	Ralph Andropwicz
Nick Flynn	Wilson Jacobs
Ed Van Nuys	Charles Whiting
Noel Harrison	Leonard Thompson
Leila Danette	Poor Woman
Jackson Beck	The Voice
Kevin Hagen	Cop
Timothy Jecko	Business Executive
Margaret Barker	Wealthy Matron
D.B. Sweeney	College Student
Linda De Niro	Desk Clerk
Lynn Klugman	Video Technician
Elizabeth Kendrick	Receptionist
Roger Grimsby	Commentator
Margaret Hall	Commentator
Brad Holbrook	Commentator
Donna Hanover	Commentator
Frank Casey	Commentator
Kristi Witker	Commentator
Marvin Scott	Anchorman
Daryl Edwards	Waiter,Waiter
Martha Pinson	Assistant
Jack Zahniser	Pilot
Burke Pearson	City Clerk
Janet Sarno	Moderator
Robert Fieldsteel	Assistant Director
Gregory Wagrowski	Assistant Director
Ron Stein	Stunt Cameraman
Robert Kruger	Barry

Technical Credits

Laurencio Cordero	Special Effects
Sidney Lumet	Director
Reene Schisgal	Producer
Mark Tarlov	Producer
Peter Odabashian	Sound Editor

Editorial Reviews

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.