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Features: DVD, Widescreen, Aspect Ratio 1.85:1, Dolby Digital (5.1), Featurette, Commentary, Previews, English Subtitled
Grammatically challenged, user friendly gubernatorial candidate Dicky Pilager has just launched a rosy campaign for the citizens of the New West. But things take an unexpected turn when the taping of an environmental political ad ends up with Pilager reeling in a corpse. Enter his ferocious campaign manager, Chuck Raven who hires idealistic journalist turned rumpled private detective Danny O'Brien to investigate potential links between the corpse and the Pilager family's enemies. In the tradition of the great films noir, Danny's investigation pulls him deeper and deeper into a complex web of influence and corruption, involving high stakes lobbyists, media conglomerates, environmental, plunderers, and undocumented migrant workers.
"Two Thumbs Way Up!" Ebert and Roeper
"A wickedly sexy Daryl Hannah is particularly memorable..." Megan Lehmann, New York Post
Editor's Note
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.
| Features | Audio: English Dolby Digital Stereo | | Interactive Menus | | Making-of Featurette | | Scene Selection | | Widescreen Presentation | | Audio: English Dolby Digital 5.1 | | Subtitles: English | | Director and Producer Commentary | | Making of Featurette | | Bonus Previews |
| Technical Info
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Release Information
| | Studio: Columbia Tri-Star |
| Release Date: 8/22/2006 |
| Running Time: 133 minutes |
| Original Release Date: 2004 | | Catalog ID: 09321 | | UPC: 00043396093218 | | Number of Discs: 1 |
Audio & Video
| | Original Language: English | | Available Audio Tracks: English | | Available Subtitles: French | | Video: Color |
| Cast & Crew
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| | Professional Reviews | Rolling Stone
"Cooper has a ball with the role..." 09/30/2004 p.203USA Today
"There are some great Sayles lines in the screenplay..." 10/01/2004 p.6E Chicago Sun-Times
"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." 09/17/2004 p.34 Entertainment Weekly
"[T]he actors are excellent..." 01/21/2005 p.73 Uncut
"A novelistic piece of work, blessed by a brilliant Dubya send-up from Chris Cooper." 08/01/2005 130 Uncut
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." 01/01/2006 p.82-83 San Francisco Examiner 8 of 10
"Silver City" is the 15th feature written and directed by indiedom staple John Sayles, and, like his - Anita Katz
James Berardinelli's ReelViews 8 of 10
Silver City may startle some viewers because it doesn't pull punches. It doesn't pretend that - James Berardinelli
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