During a gubernatorial race in small-town Colorado, a mystery is uncovered involving a dead body found in a local lake. A private detective, Danny (Danny Huston), is hired by the governor-to-be's campaign manager (Richard Dreyfuss), who is worried that the unexpected event may be used as a scandal-maker by the opposition. But when Danny begins to investigate, he learns that business mogul Wes Benteen (Kris Kristofferson), is using the candidate, Dickie Pilager (Chris Cooper), to promote his moneymaking agenda. Director-writer-editor John Sayles weaves together multiple storylines involving environmental issues, political and corporate corruption, activism, illegal aliens, labor laws, and also a sweet love affair, simplifying it all into a cohesive and deeply enjoyable drama. He gets powerful performances from each cast member, making the characters shine in all of their nuanced intricacies. This strong film reflects on the presidency of George W. Bush in that candidate Pilager is a good-hearted Republican who lacks communications skills and a backbone, allowing regulation to lapse, power to be abused, and a scourge of long-term problems to be ignored. Meanwhile, SILVER CITY is a gripping whodunit, set in the still-dusty New West where old silver mines become real estate developments, and corporate tycoons attempt to privatize protected land for their own bounty. The immediate, effective supporting cast includes Daryl Hannah, Thora Birch, Tim Roth, Maria Bello, Sal Lopez, Miguel Ferrer, and Billy Zane.
IN THEATRES: SEPTEMBER 24, 2004
DVD Features:
Region [unknown]
Keep Case
Widescreen - 1.85
Audio:
Dolby Digital 5.1 - English
Subtitles - French - Optional
Additional Release Material:
Trailers: Bonus Previews
Audio Commentary: John Sayles - Director, Maggie Renzi - Producer
Featurette: Making Of
Stars
Danny Huston: American actor and director
Maria Bello: American actress, A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE
Billy Zane: American actor, TITANIC
Chris Cooper: Actor, ADAPTATION (2002)
Richard Dreyfuss: American actor, JAWS
Michael Murphy: Narrator, LAS VEGAS: AN UNCOVENTIONAL HISTORY (2005)
Daryl Hannah: American actress, SPLASH, KILL BILL, STEEL MAGNOLIAS
Kris Kristofferson: Singer/Composer/Actor
Mary Kay Place: American actress, MARY HARTMAN, MARY HARTMAN
David Clennon: American Supporting Actor
Miguel Ferrer: American Actor
Ralph Waite: John Walton of TV's "The Waltons"
Sal Lopez: Actor/"American Me"
James Gammon: American Actor
Tim Roth: British Actor
Thora Birch: American Actress, AMERICAN BEAUTY (1999)
Alma Delfina: Mexican Actress, THE COST OF LIVING (1988)
Director
John Sayles: Director/Writer/Producer
Producer
Maggie Renzi: Producer
Screenwriter
John Sayles: Director/Writer/Producer
Composer
Mason Daring: Composer
Director of Photography
Haskell Wexler: Cinematographer/Director/Producer/Screenwriter
Review 1:
"Cooper has a ball with the role..."
Source: Rolling Stone
p.203 09/30/2004
Review 2:
"A novelistic piece of work, blessed by a brilliant Dubya send-up from Chris Cooper."
Source: Uncut
130 08/01/2005
Review 3:
"There are some great Sayles lines in the screenplay..."
Source: USA Today
p.6E 10/01/2004
Review 4:
"The movie's strength, then, is not in its outrage, but in its cynicism and resignation. There is something honest and a little brave about the way Sayles refuses to provide closure at the end of his movie."
Source: Chicago Sun-Times
p.34 09/17/2004
Review 5:
Ranked #22 in Uncut's Best Films Of 2005 -- "Sayles deftly weaves together multiple storylines involving environmental issues, political and corporate corruption, activism and illegal immigrants."
Source: Uncut
p.82-83 01/01/2006
Review 6:
"[T]he actors are excellent..."
Source: Entertainment Weekly
p.73 01/21/2005
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