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Power

Play trailer Poster for Power R Released Jan 31, 1986 1h 51m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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50% Tomatometer 12 Reviews 44% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
Once-noble media consultant Pete St. John (Richard Gere) is now employed by a number of corrupt politicians. A potential client is Jerome Cade (J.T. Walsh), a businessman who wants to run for U.S. Senate. St. John begins to suspect that Cade may have significant dark secrets and starts investigating. This causes conflict with Arnold Billing (Denzel Washington), a ruthless member of Cade's staff. Meanwhile, St. John's former friend and partner, Wilfred (Gene Hackman), questions his motives.
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Power

Critics Reviews

View All (12) Critics Reviews
Paul Attanasio Washington Post Before it turns slack and sentimental, "Power," Sidney Lumet's foray into the world of political consultants, crackles with a kind of moral static. Jan 4, 2018 Full Review Nell Minow Movie Mom Rated: 2/5 Dec 24, 2002 Full Review 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. Rated: 2.5/4 Jan 1, 2000 Full Review Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews A misfire satire that preaches against slick political practices by high-powered political consultants. Rated: C Apr 29, 2011 Full Review Lori Hoffman Atlantic City Weekly Rated: 3/5 Feb 21, 2007 Full Review Caffeinated Clint Film Threat Gere is a revelation Rated: 3/5 Feb 7, 2006 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Steve D Effective enough because of a great cast. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/05/23 Full Review Audience Member Relevant still (maybe not the technology tho) Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/17/23 Full Review Audience Member It's disappointing that a film about power can be so flat. Despite taking several fascinating paths, they never really come together to convey a strong, impactful message. In fact, the only thing that sings in this film is Benny Goodman's explosive music. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 01/18/23 Full Review Audience Member Sat through most of it. Shit film. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 02/19/23 Full Review Audience Member Fine acting but a dull film. Power should have been a lot better than it was. Perhaps it is a bit dated but the film just never grabbed my attention. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 01/27/23 Full Review Audience Member An indistinctive drama, but it has a little bit directing (Lumet), and a little bit acting (Washington, Hackman). Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/21/23 Full Review Read all reviews
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Cast & Crew

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Movie Info

Synopsis Once-noble media consultant Pete St. John (Richard Gere) is now employed by a number of corrupt politicians. A potential client is Jerome Cade (J.T. Walsh), a businessman who wants to run for U.S. Senate. St. John begins to suspect that Cade may have significant dark secrets and starts investigating. This causes conflict with Arnold Billing (Denzel Washington), a ruthless member of Cade's staff. Meanwhile, St. John's former friend and partner, Wilfred (Gene Hackman), questions his motives.
Director
Sidney Lumet
Producer
Reene Schisgal, Mark Tarlov
Screenwriter
David Himmelstein
Distributor
20th Century Fox
Production Co
Lorimar Productions, Polar Entertainment Corporation
Rating
R
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jan 31, 1986, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 1, 2009
Box Office (Gross USA)
$3.1M
Runtime
1h 51m
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