Cooper does a terrific job, mimicking Bush’s speech and mannerisms as well as his tendency to ramble and go off script with hilarious consequences.
Silver City (2004)
Runtime: 2 hrs 13 mins
Synopsis: 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... 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. [More]
Genre: Dramas
Starring: Danny Huston, Maria Bello, Billy Zane, Chris Cooper, Richard Dreyfuss
DVD Info
Release:
Nov 1, 2005
DVD Features:
- Region (unknown)
- Keep Case
- Widescreen - 1.85
Audio:
- Dolby Digital 5.1 - English
- Subtitles - French - Optional
Additional Release Material:
- Trailers - 1. Bonus Previews
- Audio Commentary - 1. John Sayles - Director, Maggie Renzi - Producer
- Featurette - 1. Making Of
Reviews
Sayles wraps a gripping murder mystery around a rather unsubtle political satire.
Sayles traces how rumor, conjecture, and outright lies seep into the [political] discussion and drive it.
At its core, Silver City is a biting tirade on the current anti-enviromental policies of the Bush administration.
Sayles must have felt the need to weigh in on the last election. But if he was going to do it, a little more planning, writing -- and especially casting -- would have helped.
You can admire Sayles' intentions all you like, but it's hard to defend the film as an artistic accomplishment.
Sayles is at his best when he has something more substantial to say than 'Bush sucks.'
Chris Cooper is art; the supporting cast is good, but the film is completely bogged down by actual lead Danny Huston.
[L]ays bare... the mess that is the American political scene today: corruption, hypocrisy, ignorance, arrogance, fearmongering, divisiveness, and incipient fascism.
The plot of Silver City is movieish in the extreme, with filthy abandoned mines subbing for the bars and alleys of urban noir, but it's no more than mild cheese.
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posted by Scott Weinberg August 16, 2005
Stax over at IGN Filmforce has scored a nifty little exclusive that may prove interesting to you "X-Man"...

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