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Richard Gere, Julie Christie, Gene Hackman, Kate Capshaw, Denzel Washington ... see more see more... , E.G. Marshall , Beatrice Straight , Fritz Weaver , Michael Learned , J.T. Walsh , E. Katherine Kerr , Polly Rowles , Matt Salinger , Tom Mardirosian , Omar Torres , Jackson Beck , Darryl Edwards , Robert Fieldsteel , Roger Grimsby , Kevin Hagen , Margaret Hall , Donna Hanover , Scott Harlan , Noel Harrison , Jessica James , Glenn Kezer , Burke Pearson , Janet Sarno , Ron Stein , D.B. Sweeney , Rick van Nutter , Kristi Witker , Margaret Barker , Frank Casey , Leila Danette , Linda de Niro , Nick Flynn , Ricardo Gallarzo , Jim Hartz , Brad Holbrook , Timothy Jecko , Elizabeth Kendrick , Lynn Klugman , Robert Krüger , Douglas Newell , Martha Pinson , Marvin Scott , Gregory Wagrowski , Jack Zahniser , John Evans , Ed Van Nuys

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 cro... read more read more...oked 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. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi

Flixster Users

42% liked it

1,989 ratings

Critics

55% liked it

11 critics

R, 1 hr. 51 min.

Directed by: Sidney Lumet

Release Date: January 31, 1986

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DVD Release Date: May 18, 1999

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Stats: 70 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (70)

  • hunterjt13
    September 17, 2010
    hunterjt13
    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 i... read moressues 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."
  • movieguru12
    May 15, 2010
    movieguru12
    I really enjoyed this movie. Excellent actors and a great storyline. That's what I look for in a movie :)

View All Power Reviews

Critic Reviews

Dave Kehr
January 1, 2000
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader

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 subpl... Full Review

Roger Ebert
January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

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. Full Review

Dennis Schwartz
April 29, 2011
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

A misfire satire that preaches against slick political practices by high-powered political consultants. Full Review

Clint Morris
February 7, 2006
Clint Morris, Film Threat

Gere is a revelation

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
September 1, 2002
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice

Presents a provocative glimpse of the important role media experts play in the political process today. Full Review

Vincent Canby
May 20, 2003
Vincent Canby, New York Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Lori Hoffman
February 21, 2007
Lori Hoffman, Atlantic City Weekly

No review available.

Chuck O'Leary
August 31, 2005
Chuck O'Leary, Fantastica Daily

No review available.

Emanuel Levy
July 22, 2005
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

Jonathan R. Perry
June 1, 2005
Jonathan R. Perry, Tyler Morning Telegraph (Texas)

No review available.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Power Trivia

  • Match the movie with the quote: "Everything was fine until the power grid was shut off by dickless here."  Answer »
  • Which movie has this tagline : " He's got the power "  Answer »
  • Which Movie has this prayer: God of Rock, thank you for this chance to kick ass. We are your humble servants. Please give us the power to blow people's minds with our high voltage rock. In your name we pray, Amen.   Answer »
  • What movie prominently featured Huey Lewis and the News' "The Power of Love"?  Answer »
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