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Silver City (2004)
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Reviews Counted:124
Fresh:59
Rotten:65
Average Rating:5.5/10
Consensus: Heavy-handed and often dull.
Runtime: 2 hrs 13 mins
Genre: Dramas
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... 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]
Starring: Danny Huston, Maria Bello, Billy Zane, Chris Cooper
Starring: Danny Huston, Maria Bello, Billy Zane, Chris Cooper, Richard Dreyfuss, Michael Murphy, Daryl Hannah, Kris Kristofferson, Mary Kay Place, David Clennon, Miguel Ferrer, Ralph Waite, Sal Lopez, James Gammon, Tim Roth, Thora Birch, Alma Delfina
Director: John Sayles
Director: John Sayles
Screenwriter: John Sayles
Producer: Maggie Renzi
Composer: Mason Daring
Studio: Newmarket Films
Reviews for Silver City
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.
Sayles wraps a gripping murder mystery around a rather unsubtle political satire.
Sayles gets a little distracted along the way in his attempt to really nail it to Dubya, but as far as a sly look into the shadowy underbelly of politics goes, this gets our vote.
Every time Mr. Sayles faces a choice between high-minded didacticism and persuasive drama, you can almost hear him tapping the lectern for your full attention.
Sayles peppers his script with metaphorical names, not to mention situations, producing a satire that is not only pointed, but very angry.
Silver City does seem more like the work of a nuanced novelist than of a dynamic visual and dramatic talent.
In a role clearly meant to skewer our Commander in Chief, Chris Cooper goes far deeper than impersonation with his antagonistic relationship with words and religious rebirth.
Even the long roster of skilled players in 'Silver City' doesn't make this script come alive.
An ambitious film bubbling over with provocative issues is ultimately tarnished by its emphasis on too many sketchy characters.
It's an informed if skeptical look at the shady maneuvering, backslapping and arm-twisting that goes on behind the scenes in political campaigns, though in this case the story is fictional.
Silver City gets so tied up in underhanded plots and plot complications that it never really goes anywhere.
A heavy-handed approach mars this latest effort from the usually reliable John Sayles.
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