Chris Cooper portrays an inept Republican gubernatorial candidate, a character that was noted for similarities to U.S. President George W.

[1] The film's large ensemble cast includes, among others, Richard Dreyfuss, Danny Huston, Michael Murphy, Maria Bello, Kris Kristofferson, Mary Kay Place, Thora Birch, Tim Roth, Billy Zane and Daryl Hannah.

Chuck Raven, Pilager's campaign manager, hires Danny O'Brien, a former journalist who works as a private investigator, to examine the case.

Silver City had a limited release in the United States, where it was marketed as a comedy about an "intellectually challenged, poorly spoken politician.

"[3] Sayles commented on that marketing approach in an entertainment interview for CNN: You basically give it to the company, and they advertise it the way that gets the most people in the theater.

[1][2] Roger Ebert praised the film, but said it likely wouldn't change any votes in the 2004 election: "America is familiar with the way [George W. Bush] talks, and about half of us are comfortable with it.