| Weapons of Mass Distraction | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Written by | Larry Gelbart |
| Directed by | Stephen Surjik |
| Starring | Gabriel Byrne Ben Kingsley |
| Music by | Don Davis |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| Production | |
| Producer | Sean Ryerson |
| Cinematography | Alar Kivilo |
| Editor | Zach Staenberg |
| Running time | 100 min |
| Original release | |
| Release | May 17, 1997 (1997-05-17) |
Weapons of Mass Distraction is a 1997 television film directed by Stephen Surjik and written by Larry Gelbart, about two media moguls and their fight over ownership of a professional American football team. The film starred Gabriel Byrne and Ben Kingsley, with an ensemble supporting cast including Illeana Douglas, Mimi Rogers, and Jeffrey Tambor.
The film was nominated for four awards at the 49th Primetime Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Writing for a Miniseries or a Special for Gelbart.
Plot
Lionel Powers and Julian Messenger are filthy rich men with dirty family secrets. They play dirty as well, fighting for control over a professional football team in Los Angeles with every weapon at their disposal.
While the billionaires scheme and squabble, the married couple Rita and Jerry Pascoe can barely make ends meet. Their marriage becomes strained with Jerry's continuing inability to hold or find a job. While rich people blackmail one another, homeless people look for handouts and Jerry Pascoe is reduced to cleaning stadium restrooms and applying for a job as a peanut vendor.
The tabloid-worthy secrets in the lives of Powers' wife Ariel and right-hand man Alan Blanchard lead to dire consequences for all. The marriage of the Pascoes, meanwhile, turns tragi-comically from a terrible climax to fodder for reality TV.
Cast
- Gabriel Byrne as Lionel Powers
- Ben Kingsley as Julian Messenger
- Mimi Rogers as Ariel Powers
- Jeffrey Tambor as Alan Blanchard
- Illeana Douglas as Rita Pascoe
- Paul Mazursky as Dr. Jonathon Cummings
- Chris Mulkey as Jerry Pascoe
- R. Lee Ermey as Billy Paxton
- Caroline Aaron as Robin Zimmer
- Jason Lee as Philip Messenger
External links
| Films directed by Stephen Surjik | |
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- 1997 films
- 1997 television films
- 1997 drama films
- American business films
- American football films
- 1990s English-language films
- Films scored by Don Davis (composer)
- Films about businesspeople
- Films about competitions
- Films directed by Stephen Surjik
- HBO Films films
- Films with screenplays by Larry Gelbart
- 1990s business films
- 1990s American films
- American drama television film stubs