The Imagemaker

The Imagemaker
Norwegian VHS cover
Directed byHal Weiner
Written byDick Goldberg
Hal Weiner
Produced byHal Weiner
Marilyn Weiner
StarringMichael Nouri
Anne Twomey
Jerry Orbach
Jessica Harper
Farley Granger
CinematographyJacques Haitkin
Edited byTerry Halle
Music byFred Karns
Production
company
Melvyn J. Estrin Productions
Distributed byCastle Hill Productions
Release date
  • March 7, 1986 (1986-03-07) (Los Angeles)
Running time
93 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$850 000[1]
Box office$24.562

The Imagemaker is a 1986 American political thriller film directed by Hal Weiner and starring Michael Nouri, Anne Twomey, Jerry Orbach, Jessica Harper and Farley Granger. It is the film debut of Marcia Gay Harden in a very minor role.

Plot

Roger Blackwell has been a media advisor to countless politicians: probably one too many. He is set on using his experience to make a film about manipulation of the media by unscrupulous politicos.

Cast

Credits

  • Directed by Hal Weiner
  • Written by Dick Goldberg and Hal Weiner
  • Produced by Hal Weiner and Marilyn Weiner
  • Music by Fred Karns
  • Cinematography by Jacques Haitkin
  • Editing by Terry Halle
  • Casting by Lois Planco
  • Production Design by Edward Pisoni
  • Set Decoration by Henry Shaffer
  • Costume Design by Catherine Adair
  • Special Effects by Frank Rogers

Filming

Filming took place in Washington, D.C.[2]

Release and reception

The film was theatrically released on March 7, 1986, in Los Angeles, California.[3] It grossed $24.562 in the United States and Canada.[4]

Nina Darnton from The New York Times said: "If this seems like somewhat bizarre behavior for the man who is supposed to save us from lies, politicians and media manipulation, be assured that it isn't the most confusing aspect of the film. Also puzzling is why actors as fine as Jerry Orbach and Jessica Harper, who valiantly cope with the fact that their characters make cardboard figures look complex by comparison, ever became involved with this project. Michael Nouri seems slightly uncomfortable as Roger Blackwell, but it is fair to say that on the whole the actors didn't seem quite as confused as the audience did".[5]

References

  1. ^ The Imagemaker at the AFI Catalog of Feature Films
  2. ^ Back Stage. 17 Aug 1984.
  3. ^ Los Angeles Times (p. 6). 7 Mar 1986.
  4. ^ The Imagemaker at IMDb Pro
  5. ^ Film: 'The Imagemaker' About Politics. The New York Times (p. 10). 26 Apr 1986. via NY Times' official website.