BY TIM MCGLYNN
“You
probably think I’m beautiful, but I’m not.â€
Super
model Tina Cassidy (Kathryn Witt) visits Hollywood plastic surgeon Larry
Roberts with a specific list of tiny imperfections that need to be corrected at
the request of Reston Industries, a producer of glossy television
commercials. Dr. Roberts becomes curious
when he realizes that several of his recent patients have had the same type of
list.
What
follows is a science fiction/police procedural that involves the murder of
these same models. The police become
suspicious when it is discovered that all the victims were patients of Dr.
Roberts
Director/Writer
Michael Crichton once again makes predictions based on emerging
technologies. His first feature film, Westworld
(1973), pioneered the use of digitized imagery to present the point of view of
Yul Brynner’s android gunslinger.
In
Looker, we have actors being converted to computerized images that may be
manipulated through animation. These
digital actors communicate subliminal messages that cue the audience to respond
favorably to the product. Once these
models are scanned by the L.O.O.K.E.R. (Light Ocular-Oriented Kinetic Emotive
Responses) program, there’s no need for humans to create commercials. And if the process works so well at
convincing television viewers to buy, why not use it to manipulate a national
election and allow a corporate-friendly Senator to be elected President?
In
one effective scene, Tina returns to her home to visit with her parents and
finds that they can’t take their eyes away from a comedy show they are
watching. Mom and Dad have been drawn in
by L.O.O.K.E.R.
Reston
Industries is also preparing the L.O.O.K.E.R. technology for military
applications with a gun that renders an enemy immobile for several minutes
leaving no memory of the event. A
henchman hired to kill Dr. Roberts employs the weapon to almost humorous effect
as he taunts his victim.
A
good thriller requires a great cast and director Crichton chose wisely with
Albert Finney as the mild mannered
surgeon Dr. Roberts. One might wonder if
this character was at all inspired by the Beatles’ song of the same name. Also on hand are James Coburn as sleazy corporate head John Reston, Susan
Dey as model Cindy Fairmont, the always
beautiful Leigh-Taylor Young as marketing director
Jennifer Long and Dorian Heywood as
Lieutenant Masters.
Most
people may be aware of this film only from its claustrophobic pan and scan
showings on pay cable during the 80s and 90s. The Warner Archive’s’widescreen Blu-ray provides a beautifully restored
edition of Looker in all its Panavision glory. The stereo sound is properly re-mastered and showcases the music score
by Barry De Vorzon, who created a terrific techno-thriller
soundtrack that avoided the cheese factor and aged well. And then there’s that title song, performed
by Sue Saad, that will definitely earworm its way into your head for days.
This
new Blu-ray version of Looker will propel you back to the 80s in style and
comfort. Bonus features are the original trailer, an informative introduction by Michael Creighton and a deleted scene that was included in the TV broadcast of the film. Another great addition to the
Warner Archive library.
CLICK HERE TO ORDER FROM THE CINEMA RETRO MOVIE STORE