Peter Weller Movies
Though he is best remembered for the humanity he brought to the title character of Robocop (1987), actor Peter Weller is a versatile actor who has played in a wide variety of films as both lead and supporting actor. Prior to coming to films, Weller had a distinguished theatrical career. Before that he studied with famed acting coach Uta Hagen. He made his screen debut as a determined lawman in Butch and Sundance: The Early Years (1979). He played romantic leads in his next two films before starring in W.D. Richter's 1984 cult favorite The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai. His role in this sci-fi satire eventually lead to Robocop, where he was chosen by the director for his "expressive lips." The film was quite successful, and Weller went on to play in a series of minor thrillers and one sequel to Robocop before playing an aspiring writer whacked out on drugs in David Cronenberg's disturbing noir fantasy Naked Lunch (1991). As bizarre as the film was, it gave Weller an opportunity to stretch and show his ability as a serious dramatic actor. Though the film was not a commercial success, he did garner much critical praise for his role. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
When a banking executive tries to outsmart an enormous and seriously pesky rat, it is a case of a battle of wits between two unarmed opponents in this tedious rodent horror treatise on the multiple dangers of rats. Bert Hughes (Peter Weller) is home alone in his Manhattan apartment, trying to work out a major change in his trust company when a noisy rat starts scratching around his periphery, and he becomes obsessed with exterminating it. By the time Hughes is through, his whole apartment is nearly exterminated -- and his friends are keeping their distance due to his rat-mania. (In the middle of a business dinner he brings up the topic of rats served as "stringy chicken" in an Asian country.) Rats may be Of Unknown Origin, but more than their questionable hygiene and genealogy is needed to frighten viewers. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Peter Weller, Jennifer Dale, (more)
- 1983
Two Kinds of Love are experienced by young Ricky Schroder in this made-for-TV drama. One kind is the tenuous affection he extends to his estranged father (Peter Weller) when Schroder's mother (Lindsay Wagner) unexpectedly dies. The other kind consists of the teasing sensations felt by Schroder whenever he approaches a girl his own age. Two Kinds of Love was adapted from Two Kinds of Terrible, a novel by Peggy Mann. The film was originally telecast November 8, 1983. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1983
Cheryl Ladd seemed bound and determined in the early 1980s to prove that she was a "Charlie's Angel" no more; we probably would have taken her word for it even if she hadn't tried so hard and stridently. Made for television, Kentucky Woman found Ladd as a poverty-stricken waitress who becomes a coal miner, despite male opposition, damp boots and squealing rats. She does this to support her fatherless son and her miner dad (Ned Beatty), who is incapacitated by black lung disease. She does sixteen tons, and what does she get? Another bunch of lukewarm reviews and deeper in...well, that word doesn't rhyme with "get." Kentucky Woman was filmed on location in Paintsville, Kentucky. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Director Alan Parker and writer Bo Goldman chronicle the emotional disintegration of an unhappy marriage. Albert Finney and Diane Keaton play George and Faith Dunlap, a seemingly happily married couple living with their four daughters in a converted farmhouse in Marin County, California. George is inwardly empty and decides to have an affair with Sandy (Karen Allen), who has doubts about how long their affair will last. Faith is also suffering from ennui and takes up with Frank Henderson (Peter Weller), the contractor for the Dunlap's tennis court. Frank, after discovering about Faith's affair, is in a confused state: he wants to leave and live with Sandy but doesn't want his wife to date other men and demands the love of his daughters -- all of whom now detest him. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Albert Finney, Diane Keaton, (more)
- 1980
- R
In this Sidney Lumet romantic comedy, Max Herschel (Alan King) is a powerful businessman who keeps a bevy of beauties for pleasure to escape his alcoholic wife, Connie (Dina Merrill). His main minx is Bones Burton (Ali MacGraw), a successful television producer who is tiring of Max's lack of commitment. When she takes up with Steven (Peter Weller), Max does everything in his power to win her back. Silent screen star Myrna Loy plays Max's faithful secretary, in her last big-screen role, and steals the show. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Alan King, Ali MacGraw, (more)
- 1979
- R
- Add Butch and Sundance: The Early Days to QueueAdd Butch and Sundance: The Early Days to top of Queue
This "prequel" to the Newman/Redford vehicle Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid was written by TV sitcom veteran Allan Burns and stars Tom Berenger as Butch and William Katt as Sundance. The film, per its title, traces the formative days of Butch and Sundance's careers as soft-hearted western outlaws, and their creation of the Hole-in-the-Wall Gang. There's no Etta Place this time around; the fictional heroine, named Mary, is played by Jill Eikenberry. Only Jeff Corey, as Sheriff Ray Bledsoe, repeats his role from the original film. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- William Katt, Tom Berenger, (more)
- 1975
The Silence is based on the true story of Stanley Greenberg, a finer West Point cadet who broke one of the Point's most intimidating traditions. Richard Thomas plays Greenberg, a young man to whom being in the right is something of an obsession. Already an unpopular cadet, Greenberg is accused by of cheating by an upper classman and "invited" to leave West Point. He refuses, whereupon he is subjected to "The Silence:" the other cadets not only refuse to speak to him, but pretend as though he doesn't exist. After two years of this treatment, Thomas hires writer Cliff Gorman to publish the details of his ordeal. The result is the legal elimination of West Point's "Silence;" we should be happy at this, but Richard Thomas' portrayal of Greenburg character is so doggedly obnoxious that we don't care one way or another what happens to him. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
