Best Seller

I really liked this movie. It was an awesome concept and the execution was good. Cleve (James Woods) is a hitman that wants his biography written by Dennis Meechum (Brian Dennehy). What makes this dynamic so intriguing is that Dennis is a cop as well as a writer. Cleve's goal is to take down David Madlock (Paul Shenar) and his company, Kappa Int'l. Dennis doesn't believe Cleve when he tells him that he's done many hits for the benefit of Kappa Int'l and Cleve is determined to make Dennis believe him. The story in and of itself is dynamite. A hitman that wants to do a tell-all which will in turn expose a wealthy and influential man. There are a plethora of hitman movies and many of them are similar, tell me one in which the hitman is looking to write a book about his jobs? James Woods was perfect for the role and Brian Dennehy was no slouch either.

"Best Seller" is yet another movie that had good potential, theoretically, but the final product just doesn't meet our expectations. The casting certainly appears promising, and James Woods gives a magnetic performance as a brutal, vicious yet also vulnerable and three-dimensional professional killer, but the movie seems to lack a clear purpose (and a point), maybe because the story is SO thin. On the whole, an interesting but unsatisfying and ultimately mediocre picture.

Both James Woods and Brian Dennehy seem uncomfortable with a script that appears to be underdeveloped. There are way too many unanswered questions relating to who knew how to show up at just the right time at just the right location. The fact that Dennehy goes flying all over the country. leaving his sixteen year old daughter alone, is a real stretch. And speaking of the daughter, played by Allison Balson,her performance can only be described as unbelievable, and not in a good way either. Victoria Tennent's relationship with Dennehy is another loose end that is really never explored. "Best Seller" is nothing more than a very contrived script, with two good actors mostly wasted. - MERK

This movie is disturbing. Starts out almost as a "procedural" but grows more thrilling as you begin to discover what the Woods character really is. I identified with the Dennehy character, with his initial skepticism, and growing realization that Woods is what he said he is, and worse. Woods nails the role, the psychopath with pride in his workmanship, with a three dimensional performance that is gripping and frightening. Dennehy is wonderful in the complementary role. The chemistry between them is exquisite. I think this movie will, in time, receive more recognition.

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.