Silver City (2004)

The discovery of a corpse threatens to unravel a bumbling local politician's campaign for governor of Colorado.

Director:

John Sayles

Writer:

John Sayles

Stars:

Chris Cooper, Thora Birch, Maria Bello

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Chris Cooper	...	Dickie Pilager
Richard Dreyfuss	...	Chuck Raven
Cajardo Lindsey	...	Lloyd
John C. Ashton	...	Director
Elizabeth Rainer	...	Leslie
Donevon Martinez	...	Lazaro Huerta
James Gammon	...	Sheriff Joe Skaggs
Benjamin Kroger	...	Deputy Davis
Charles Mitchell	...	Henry
Danny Huston	...	Danny O'Brien
Alma Delfina	...	Lupe Montoya
Roslyn Washington	...	Hilary
David Clennon	...	Mort Seymour
Mary Kay Place	...	Grace Seymour
Tim Roth	...	Mitch Paine

Storyline

Set against the backdrop of a mythic "New West," a satire that follows grammatically-challenged, "user-friendly" candidate Dicky Pilager, scapegrace scion of Colorado's venerable Senator Jud Pilager, during his gubernatorial campaign. When Pilager finds that he's reeled in a corpse during the taping of an environmental political ad, his ferocious campaign manager, Chuck Raven, hires former idealistic journalist turned rumpled private detective Danny O'Brien to investigate potential links between the corpse and the Pilager family's enemies. 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.

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Plot Keywords:

corpse | campaign | colorado | politician | governor | 

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Taglines:

Vote early. Vote often.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

17 September 2004 (USA)

Also Known As:

Em Campanha

Filming Locations:

Argo Gold Mine - 2350 Riverside Drive, Idaho Springs, Colorado, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$5,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

£43,484 (UK) (22 July 2005)

Gross:

£98,855 (UK) (29 July 2005)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Anarchist's Convention Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

128 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

When Danny is talking to Maddy (towards the end of the scene at the back of her house), she appears to be wearing a jacket when shot from the front and a vest top when shot from behind.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Ad Spokesman: Richard Pilager cares about Colorado.

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Connections

References All the President's Men (1976)

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Soundtracks

"The Colorado Trail"
Performed by Don Edwards
Courtesy of Warner Bros. Records, Inc.
By Arrangement with Warner Strategic Marketing

User Reviews

brilliant

Every voter and her or his child must see this film. Why don't people flock to films like Sayles'? Not unlike Sunshine State, Matewan, or even Passionfish, it's a smart, well written, brilliantly acted and nothing like the big budget fare anyone can see at any time in his or her local multiplex. John Sayles and the handful of filmmakers like him who do not reduce themselves to the lowest common denominator of big budget decision makers and executives are the only hope for film and popular culture in this country. Even if you don't agree with the political message of the filmmakers or the people who funded him (not, by the way, a major studio; and like all of Sayles' films, this one is written, edited and directed by Sayles himself) you will come away from seeing this picture a more informed person, as well as having seen a good movie. Information is power, and by entertaining the spectator while he informs her or him, Sayles is merely doing what major network news has done surreptitiously for the last few decades. See this movie! You'll be glad!