LOOKER

US, 1981, 93 minutes, Colour.
Albert Finney, James Coburn, Susan Dey, Leigh Taylor- Young, Dorian Harewood.
Directed by Michael Crichton.

Looker is a thriller written and directed by Michael Crichton. Crichton has an interest in technology, robots - in a thriller context. His films include Westworld, Coma, Runaway.

The film was not well received and had very limited screenings. However, it has a strong cast and an offbeat look at the fashion industry, advertising and the use of technology for mind control.

1. An interesting and entertaining thriller? Technology? Fashions and glamour? Crime thriller?

2. Production values: widescreen photography, the world of Los Angeles, affluence, science, television, fashion? Musical score?

3. The ambiguity of the title? the relationship to the glamorous models? The television screen? Surveillance? Audience watching television and advertising?

4. Albert Finney as Larry Roberts? Skills? Technology? Relationship with Cindy? With Jennifer? The clash with John Reston? The police? His world, work, exploitation?

5. John Reston and his wealth, glamorous women, using the models? Power? Confrontation?

6. Cindy and her being caught up in this world? Glamour, danger? Jennifer Long and her working with John?

7. The technicians, the media world? Caught up in the atmosphere of the thriller?

8. The police and their investigations? Authorities? Senator Harrison?

9. Themes of science and technological development and their exploitation? Human susceptibility to glamour? The role of advertising? The importance of mind control and manipulation?