Best Seller

Best Seller

Year: 1987

Runtime: 95 mins

Language: English

Director: John Flynn

CrimeDramaActionThriller

Writing a book is easy; writing a bestseller is murder. Hitman Cleve contacts writer‑cop Dennis, offering the true story of how he earned a living for a powerful politician. To verify the tale, they journey across the country gathering statements and evidence, while formidable forces do everything they can to keep the truth hidden.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Best Seller (1987)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Best Seller (1987). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1972, 1987

The plot begins with events in 1972 that reshape Meechum’s life and career. By 1987, Meechum has become a celebrated author-detective, though he grapples with writer's block while pursuing a new manuscript. The narrative spans two decades of crime, pursuit, and personal cost, linking past trauma to present danger.

Location

Los Angeles, New York City, Texas, Oceanfront estate

The story unfolds across several U.S. locales, starting at the gritty Los Angeles docks where the 1972 heist occurs. It then moves to the bustling environment of New York City for meetings and confrontations, before heading to Texas for crucial sequences. An oceanfront estate serves as a key backdrop for the final confrontation between Meechum's world of crime reportage and the corporate empire's stranglehold. The varied settings establish a noir atmosphere that pivots on crime, media, and power.

🌆 Urban settings ⛴️ Docks 🗺️ Cross-country locations 🌊 Oceanfront estate

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:26

Main Characters – Best Seller (1987)

Meet the key characters of Best Seller (1987), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Dennis Meechum (Brian Dennehy)

A respected detective who has become a bestselling author, navigating fame, fatherhood, and a haunting past. In 1987 he faces writer’s block while chasing a new subject, having survived a brutal 1972 incident. His integrity and persistence drive him to confront the conspiracy at the story’s center.

🧠 Intellectual 👨‍👧 Father 🕵️‍♂️ Detective

Cleve (James Woods)

A enigmatic former hitman tied to the corporate machinery, whose past is gradually revealed. He is resourceful and protective, ultimately risking his life to shield Holly. His history with Meechum and his complex motives add tension to the pursuit of the truth.

🗡️ Assassin 🔎 Mysterious 🧭 Loyal

David Madlock (Paul Shenar)

Founder and chief figurehead of Kappa International, the corporate empire behind the plot. He uses bribery and intimidation to suppress Meechum’s work and protect his interests. He embodies calculated ruthlessness and the corruption of power.

💼 Powerful 💵 Rich 🗣️ Briber

Roberta Gillian (Victoria Tennant)

Meechum’s agent who attempts to safeguard Holly and steer the manuscript through legal and business pressures. She acts as a crucial liaison, balancing loyalty to Meechum with the demands of a dangerous game.

🧭 Agent 🗣️ Negotiator 💼 Protective

Holly Meechum (Allison Balson)

Dennis Meechum’s daughter, a pivotal target whose safety intensifies the confrontation between Meechum and the conspirators. She embodies the personal stakes at the heart of the investigation and the motive for the final rescue.

👧 Daughter 💖 Protected 🧠 Clever

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:26

Major Themes – Best Seller (1987)

Explore the central themes of Best Seller (1987), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💼 Power

The film examines how wealth and corporate control steer events behind the scenes. Kappa International’s reach shapes the actions of everyone from enforcers to publishers, blurring lines between legitimacy and exploitation. The conflict probes who ultimately wields influence and what they are willing to sacrifice to maintain it.

🔎 Truth

Memory, evidence, and motive collide as Meechum uncovers hidden histories surrounding Cleve and the organization. Manuscripts, bribes, and private conversations test what is known versus what is concealed. The pursuit of truth drives the characters and exposes the costs of deception.

🛡️ Sacrifice

Cleve’s ultimate act to protect Holly highlights loyalty and personal cost. The film juxtaposes ruthless corporate power with moments of selflessness and courage. The final showdown reinforces that protection and justice can demand the highest price.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:26

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern follows an investigation that pits a small, vulnerable team against a vast, corrupt organization. The journey is linear but perilous, involving gathering evidence, fleeing pursuit, and facing moral dilemmas, culminating in a high-cost victory or partial justice.

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Narrative Summary

These narratives follow a protagonist, often morally gray or haunted by the past, on a path toward a noble goal. The climax involves a major sacrifice—sometimes their life—to achieve a larger good, leaving a somber but meaningful resolution.

Why These Movies?

This thread connects films that share a specific emotional arc: a tense, high-stakes thriller plot combined with a heavy emotional core, culminating in a bittersweet ending where victory is tempered by poignant loss.

Unlock the Full Story of Best Seller

Don't stop at just watching — explore Best Seller in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Best Seller is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Best Seller Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Best Seller, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Best Seller Summary

Best Seller Timeline

Track the full timeline of Best Seller with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Best Seller Timeline

Best Seller Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Best Seller that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Best Seller Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Best Seller

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