Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Drama, Political, Murder, Satire, Detectives, Suspense, Black Comedy
Tagline: Vote early. Vote often.
Plot: 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
More Plot Descriptions
 Discussion forum for this movie
|
| |
 Silver City may startle some viewers because it doesn't pull punches. It doesn't pretend that politics and business are decoupled, that the little guy can pull off the upset, or that the bottom line is anything other than money. It's refreshing, albeit grim, to see a movie that's not afraid of telling these truths.  --James Berardinelli (ReelViews)
Writer-director John Sayles's quasi-political satire is meant to be deceptively lighthearted and rich in moral dimension. But its implications are so ploddingly obvious, you'll swear you wandered into a dank lecture room where today's topic is The Way the System Works.--Desson Thomson (Washington Post)
Danny's journey from burnout act to some kind of hero is sweet, and it's all but impossible to dislike Huston. The movie, nevertheless, would have been better served with a more dynamic hero and a leaner, darker plot.--Stephen Hunter (Washington Post)
A long, uninteresting slog through one explanation after another of corrupt land deals and other scams that have come to pass. C---Craig Younkin (Lee's Movie Info)
Silver City is a nice whodunit with a lot going on and some decent political critique. Sayles belongs on the short list for Best Original Screenplay nominations this year for his rich, complex work, a movie that anyone concerned with the path America is on should want to see, and with which they can expect to commisserate.  --Robert Flaxman (eFilmCritic.com)
With John Sayles at the helm, Silver City was a movie had I looked forward to with great anticipation. I'm sorry to report that I haven't lost my ability to be terribly disappointed.  --Elaine Perrone (eFilmCritic.com)
John Sayles' "Silver City" gets off to a fantastic start, then becomes mired in Sayles' weakness for enormous ensemble casts and murky plots. The guy can tell a great story when he wants to, but I guess sometimes he just doesn't want to. B---Eric D. Snider (EricDSnider.com)
|
| Written by |
John Sayles
The Howling, Piranha, The Clan of the Cave Bear |
|
| Cast |
Chris Cooper
American Beauty, The Patriot, The Bourne Identity |
 | |
 | |
 | Daryl Hannah
Blade Runner, Kill Bill: Vol. 1, Kill Bill: Vol. 2 |
 | Thora Birch
American Beauty, Ghost World, Clear and Present Danger |
 | Tim Roth
Pulp Fiction, Reservoir Dogs, Planet of the Apes |
 | Mary Kay Place
Being John Malkovich, Girl, Interrupted, Sweet Home Alabama |
 | |
[more] |
|
| Music By |
Mason Daring
Lone Star, The Opposite of Sex, Where the Heart Is |
|
|
Movie Database
In Theaters
