| Weapons of Mass Distraction | |
|---|---|
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| 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.
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.
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Films directed by Stephen Surjik
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