Power1986
Power (1986)
Power Photos
Movie Info
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Cast
as Pete St. John
as Ellen Freeman
as Wilfred Buckley
as Sydnet Betterman
as Arnold Billings
as Sen. Sam Hastings
as Claire Hastings
as Wallace Furman
as Gov. Andrea Stannard
as Jerome Cade
as Irene Furman
as Lucille DeWitt
as Phillip Aarons
as Sheikh
as Roberto Cepeda
as 1st Senator
as Interpreter
as Charles Whiting
as Helen
as Frank McKusker
as David Garber
as Ralph Andropwicz
as Wilson Jacobs
as Charles Whiting
as Leonard Thompson
as Poor Woman
as Cop
as The Voice
as Business Executive
as Wealthy Matron
as College Student
as Desk Clerk
as Video Technician
as 1st Senator
as Receptionist
as Commentator
as Commentator
as Commentator
as Commentator
as Commentator
as Commentator
as Commentator
as Commentator
as Anchorman
as Waiter
as Assistant
as Pilot
as City Clerk
as Moderator
as Assistant Director
as Assistant Director
as Stunt Cameraman
as Barry
as Waiter
Critic Reviews for Power
All Critics (12) | Top Critics (4) | Fresh (6) | Rotten (6)
Before it turns slack and sentimental, "Power," Sidney Lumet's foray into the world of political consultants, crackles with a kind of moral static.
There is little of the gratuitous hysteria that usually mars Lumet's work, and David Himmelstein's busy script keeps things moving, though at the price of losing track of a couple of significant subplots.
The movie seems to be asking us to walk out of the theater shaking our heads in disillusionment, but I was more puzzled than disillusioned.
A misfire satire that preaches against slick political practices by high-powered political consultants.
Gere is a revelation
Presents a provocative glimpse of the important role media experts play in the political process today.
Audience Reviews for Power
In an earlier review I mentioned that corruption on the police force is a theme Lumet beats to death, but in Power he gets to beat up the media too, just as he did in Network. But as Roger Ebert says, "Network had a plot, and Power does not." The film seems to explore several issues that, in 2010, we now accept as commonplace. We realize - or at least should realize - that we basically vote on politicians based on the efficacy of their media consultants. In all honesty, I can't remember if I knew this in 1986, so I don't know if Lumet is exploring new ground. Also, I don't think Power is structurally sound. It seems awfully episodic and stagey. I normally don't blame a film for this, but the piling on of scene upon scene with stagnant shots and relatively stagnant dialogue affects the film's pace. Finally, Lumet gives little clues as to who the bad guy is. In Find Me Guilty, the prosecutor has a whiny, petulant moment, and I immediately knew he was going to lose. In Power, Washington's character is introduced associating with an Arab, and in Hollywood, Arabs equal "bad" and "oil." Yes, Power is more than a little bit racist. On the bright side, it was great seeing Denzel Washington saying "fuck."
Super Reviewer
I really enjoyed this movie. Excellent actors and a great storyline. That's what I look for in a movie :)
Super Reviewer
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