Scott Miller Wrote:I just watched this John Sayles pic and I found it quite amusing and disturbing at the same time. It is all about the Governor's race in Colorado. Chris Cooper is excellent as a Bush-type blundering his way through the campaign and the huge cast is filled by solid actors. Ken V. in particular might find it a worthwhile rent as it delves into some pretty fascinating mining history in a few parts.
I just rewatched this with my wife. I claimed it was because I knew she would like it, but in reality I needed to clarify a few plot twists for myself. A very good movie, maybe the best I've seen from Sayles.
The following is an exchange that took place between Dickie Pilager, great name for a politician or what, and a group of reporters. During the whole scene, Pilager is anxiously wringing his hands, glancing over his shoulder awaiting his campaign manager to come to the rescue. His speech is peppered with awkward pauses.
Pilager, "We have to get our priorities straight. Education is a priority. Health care is a priority. Our economy is a priority. The environmental...er, the environmental...ah, arena, thats a priority, a big priority. Building new roads, maintaining the present. Keeping the infrastructure in place where it belongs, that's a priority."
"What isn't a priority?" asks Maria Bello as Nora, the reporter.
"What's not a priority? Those matters which are of less of....not that they're not important, but em. If you're gonna have a front burner, which is where you want your priorities. It is like cooking. You need to have something sitting on the back one and that's where your other organizations, your church people, and your organizations formed to help these things will be happy to pitch in if only government will get out of their way."
Huh? Spoken like a true politician.