Best Seller (1987) on Netflix
Cleve, a career hitman, wants his life story written. He approaches Dennis Meechum, a decorated detective and best-selling author with writer's block, to write it.
- Netflix4.5/5
- IMDb6.4/107,350 votes
- Rotten Tomatoes69%
Trailer
Plot summary
Dennis Meechum was on duty in 1972 when masked gunmen raided a police evidence storage unit, killed several officers and took evidence; he survived his wounds and later published a book, Inside Job, about the experience. By 1987 he is a decorated detective and acclaimed author, a widower raising his daughter Holly, and he cannot get his next novel going. During a stakeout at the docks a suspect gets the better of him, and a stranger named Cleve shoots the man and saves his life, then vanishes. Cleve comes back with an offer: write the story of his years as a paid assassin for the corporate empire Kappa International. Doubtful, Meechum goes with him to a party in honor of David Madlock, where Cleve intimidates the politician, and Meechum agrees to write the book.
Cast
- E. Brian Deanas Taxi Driver
Did you know?!Facts and trivia about Best Seller (1987)
Can contain spoilers, watch the movie first.
- Larry Cohen wrote the original script and, inspired by Strangers on a Train (1951), wrote it with Burt Lancaster and Kirk Douglas in mind for the lead roles.
SPOILER
Cohen objected to the climax, in which Dennehy's daughter runs toward the killer instead of away, and said his suggestion to re-cut the scene without new footage was ignored.
