The Salton Sea (2002)

After a tragic incident, a man drifts into a world populated by thugs and speed junkies.

Director:

D.J. Caruso

Writer:

Tony Gayton

Stars:

Val Kilmer, Vincent D'Onofrio, Adam Goldberg

1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Val Kilmer	...	Danny Parker / Tom Van Allen
Vincent D'Onofrio	...	Pooh-Bear
Adam Goldberg	...	Kujo
Luis Guzmán	...	Quincy
Doug Hutchison	...	Gus Morgan
Anthony LaPaglia	...	Al Garcetti
Glenn Plummer	...	Bobby
Peter Sarsgaard	...	Jimmy the Finn
Deborah Kara Unger	...	Colette
Chandra West	...	Liz
BD Wong	...	Bubba
R. Lee Ermey	...	Verne Plummer
Shalom Harlow	...	Nancy
Shirley Knight	...	Nancy Plummer
Meat Loaf	...	Bo

Storyline

After the murder of his beloved wife, Danny Parker is set adrift in a world where nothing is as it seems. On his journey he befriends slacker Jimmy the Finn and becomes involved in rescuing his neighbor Colette from her own demons. Danny is antagonized by undercover narcotics agents and sadistic dealer Pooh-Bear.

---

Plot Keywords:

murder | male in shower | sex scene | remote control car | neighbor neighbor relationship | 

---

Taglines:

If You're Looking For The Truth, You've Come To The Wrong Place.

---

Genres:

Crime | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong violence, drug use, language and some sexuality

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 June 2002 (Ireland)

Also Known As:

Salton Sea

Filming Locations:

St. Vincent Catholic Church - 621 W. Adams Blvd., Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$18,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$166,309, 28 April 2002, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$764,554, 16 June 2002

Company Credits

Production Co:

Castle Rock Entertainment, Darkwoods Productions, Humble Journey Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

103 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

R. Lee Ermey, Shirley Knight: as the parents of Tom's late wife.

---

Goofs

When listing the ingredients needed to manufacture methamphetamine, Tom/Danny states that match heads are needed for the red phosphorus - in fact, the phosphorus is located in the striking surface of the matchbooks.

---

Quotes

Pooh-Bear: Make me an offer.
Danny: I don't know, 14,000 a kilo?
Pooh-Bear: I deal in U.S. pounds, friend. None of that faggot metric shit for me.

---

Crazy Credits

The Producers wish to gratefully thank the Salton Sea Sector of the California State Parks for its cooperation. We encourage the support of this unique natural resource.

---

Connections

Referenced in Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne (2003)

---

Soundtracks

Funk 49
Written by Joe Walsh, Jim Fox (as James Fox) and Dale Peters
Performed by James Gang (as The James Gang)
Courtesy of MCA Records
Under license from Universal Music Enterprises

User Reviews

A Crystal Meth Film Noir

I avoided watching this film for quite some time after its release. In part this was because what little I knew about the story hit a little too close to home in terms of substance abuse problems, and equally so because I'd generally read negative reviews about how bleak, depressing and meandering it was.

Boy was I wrong. As it turns out this is a stylishly photographed, atmospheric little film noir set in the world of crystal meth junkies and hoods. Val Kilmer registers a most impressive performance as a musician turned junkie turned.... well, I won't give anything more away.

The film's story line just seems to flow out toward the viewer in a languishing, yet engrossing stream, sucking you along in its undertow. Couple that with enough plot twists to catch your interest and this film makes for a perfect evening of quiet movie watching over a bowl of popcorn.

Give this little gem a chance. Odds are you won't be disappointed.