Weapons of Mass Distraction

*Weapons of Mass Distraction*
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

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

Weapons of Mass Distraction at IMDb

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