A 1986 political thriller about media consultants that nearly derailed its own premiere
In short: Sidney Lumet's Power explores the cynical world of political image-making, where consultants manipulate candidates and public perception. While the film offers a rare, research-backed look at the mechanics of campaign strategy, its production was marked by a bizarre technical failure that interrupted its very first public screening.
Directed by Sidney Lumet and starring Richard Gere, the 1986 film Power examines the corrupting influence of political image-craft. The screenplay, written by former journalist David Himmelstein, was informed by fifteen years of observing political campaigns and consulting with prominent media strategists. The story follows Pete St. John, a ruthless consultant who finds himself in a high-stakes conflict with a rival public relations expert, Arnold Billings, while managing the campaign of a wealthy businessman named Jerome Cade.
The film’s production was not without its own drama. Burt Reynolds was originally cast as St. John but was replaced by Gere after a jaw injury from a previous film necessitated surgery. When the movie finally premiered at the United States Film Festival in Park City on January 19, 1986, the screening was halted 84 minutes in because the film reels had been projected in the incorrect order, forcing the audience to either wait for a restart or leave.
Critical reception of Power remains divided. Roger Ebert praised the film’s first hour for its momentum and research-driven insight into campaign professionals, though he found the second half episodic and lacking a clear resolution. Conversely, Vincent Canby of The New York Times dismissed the work as witless and smug. Today, the film holds a 50% score on both Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic, reflecting its status as a knowledgeable but ultimately uneven exploration of power and political manipulation.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Power (1986 film)
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/entertainment-power-1986-film.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Films · More in Entertainment · Latest · A–Z · All topics
