Silverado (1985)

Synopsis: Hmm…Lawrence Kasdan, Kevin Kline, Jeff Goldblum and Kevin Costner. Oh my God, it’s The Big Chill on horseback! 

Blurb From the VHS Jacket: “A western like you’ve never seen before! Get ready for the ride of your life in SILVERADO – a fast-riding adventure story of four strangers drawn together on the Western frontier.” 

What Did I Learn?: 1) Chicago is not wonderful. 2) Wealthy cattle barons are nothing but trouble. Oh wait – I already learned that from Heaven’s Gate. And Open Range. And The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance. And Rio Bravo. And The War Wagon. And…. 

You Might Like This Movie If: You have a snazzy Western belt buckle in your collection.

 

Really?: 1) Funny how the character of Hannah (Rosanna Arquette) is never really developed after she announces her innermost desire to set down roots and grow some crops. 2) So, wait….why exactly does Slick (Goldblum) decide to betray Mal (Danny Glover)? If it’s simply to curry favour with the villains, I guess I can understand that, but waiting at Rae’s bedside just seems a bit much. Personally, I think he would have simply high-tailed it out of town at the first sign of trouble. 

Rating: I wouldn’t call Silverado a great movie, but it is a rootin’, tootin’ romp that's a whole lot of fun. And holy cow, what a cast: Kline, Glover, Costner, Goldblum and Scott Glenn, as well as Brian Dennehy as a likeable villain, and John Cleese(!) in a memorable cameo. Check it out if you get the chance. 8/10 stars. 

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0090022/fullcredits?ref_=tt_cl_sm#cast