Author’s disclaimer: The political views expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Springfield Business Journal, its publishers or advertisers.Anyone who has read this column for any length of time probably already knows the political bent of the author. Reviews, by their very nature, are subjective pieces, so please bear with the obvious.
John Sayles, while not a household name, is one of the best filmmakers of the past two decades. The subjects of his films are widely varied. While his themes are consistent, he’s never made the same movie twice.
His first film, “Return of the Secaucus Seven,” was the prototype for Lawrence Kasdan’s more lucrative and mainstream, “The Big Chill.”
Sayles’ biggest box-office hit – and most widely remembered film – was the story of the Chicago Black Sox scandal, “Eight Men Out.” His other films are just as brilliant. “Brother from Another Planet” dealt with a newly arrived inhabitant of Earth; “Matewan” was a socio-political statement involving unions and the coal mining industry; “Passion Fish” was a great character study; and “The Secret of Roan Inish” was ostensibly a children’s tale that offered much to an older audience as well.
Sayles is a cinematic auteur who writes, directs and edits all of his films. Many filmmakers write and direct, but I can’t think of any other director who edits his own work. His complete hands-on approach gives all of his films an intimate quality.
In years to come Sayles will surely be remembered as one of the true visionaries in 20th/21st century film.
His latest work, “Silver City,” is the first great political satire of the new millennium. The parallels between main character Dickie Pilager (played by Sayles regular Chris Cooper) and a major political figure of today are obvious. They are also hilarious and, ultimately, somewhat frightening.
Dickie is running for governor of Colorado and is the clear frontrunner as his father, Judd Pilager, is a favorite son of the state and its senior senator in Washington. Dickie has charisma but lacks his dad’s knack for politics – and speaking, for that matter. His off-the-cuff remarks hit home while bringing to mind the man who shouldn’t be “misunderestimated” and who pronounces “nuclear” as “nucular.”
Dickie gets caught on the campaign trail sans his political advisor, Chuck Raven (Richard Dreyfuss). When speaking extemporaneously to the press, it is painfully apparent that the lights may be on but no one is really home at Pilager Plaza.
“Don’t ever let yourself get caught out in the open like that again,” Raven admonishes Dickie. And rightfully so.
Note that “Raven” is as close to “Rove” as “Pilager” is to “pillage.” Even with these transparent plot points, Sayles never comes across as being bombastic about his politics. “Silver City” speaks as loudly as “Fahrenheit 9/11” but in a toned down – yet even more subversive – voice.
As much hoopla as Michael Moore’s film brought about, it’s somewhat amusing that “Silver City” got in under the radar. If Karl Rove ever went to the movies, I’m sure Sayles would end up on the official “enemies list.”
Dickie Pilager is in the pocket of big business. Even though he espouses his concern for the environment, his policies – like so much current political doublespeak – are more concerned with fewer restraints and bigger business interests than the matters supposedly at hand.
While filming a campaign ad at a Colorado lake, Dickie snags more than a fish. He hooks a dead body, and Raven is convinced it was planted by one of Dickie’s and his dad’s political enemies.
To get to the bottom of the affair, Raven hires Danny O’Brien, a former journalist who is now a private investigator. In the course of his investigation, O’Brien begins to dig up a lot more than his employers were looking for. There are many skeletons in the Pilager closet, including Dickie’s sister Madeleine (Darryl Hannah), who is, among other things, a menacing shot with a compound bow. Hannah, much underused nowadays, is sexy and menacing in a great – if small – role.
“Silver City” starts out as a political diatribe and is unabashed about its obvious stance. But as it progresses the film also proves to be a finely crafted detective “caper” movie. The more Detective O’Brien digs, the more there seems to be waiting to be uncovered. Sayles, to his credit, lets the story unfold without melodramatic overtones. He is truly a director who should not be “misunderestimated.”
“Silver City” was in limited distribution and never played in Springfield, but it has recently been released to the home video market.
No matter what your political leaning, it’s a film worth watching. Sayles is a quiet master of the art of moviemaking, and this is one of his finest pieces of work.
Jim Wunderle owns Wunderle Sound Services and is a Springfield free-lance writer and musician.
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