“The world is what you make of it, friend. If it doesn’t fit, make alterations.” —Stella
Today’s quick review: Silverado. On his way to the town of Silverado, Emmett (Scott Glenn) rescues Paden (Kevin Kline), an unlucky drifter robbed and left to die in the desert. Stopping to save Emmett’s brother Jake (Kevin Costner) from an unjust hanging, they join up with Mal (Danny Glover), a crack shot heading to Silverado to see his family. But the four men run into trouble when they cross Cobb (Brian Dennehy), Silverado’s corrupt sheriff.
Silverado is a Western adventure about four good men on a journey to the titular town. Brought together by chance, Emmett, Paden, Jake, and Mal find common cause as they face down bandits and thugs in pursuit of justice. Silverado features a varied cast of likable characters, a rich plot that plays out organically, and a healthy balance of drama and optimism. The result is a satisfying Western with something to offer any fan of the genre.
Silverado has a tapestry of plot threads that are woven together by the friendship between its four leads. Each of the men is heading to Silverado for his own reasons, but they stand united when danger strikes. Silverado does a skillful job of establishing their characters and giving them room to act. The core appeal of the movie is seeing how Emmett, Paden, Jake, and Mal help each other deal with the injustices committed around them.
Silverado has a messier structure than other movies. In addition to the plot threads introduced by the movie’s leads, there are other threads for its expansive supporting cast, which includes a peacekeeping sheriff (John Cleese), an honest saloon manager (Linda Hunt), a slick gambler (Jeff Goldblum), and a vengeful rancher (Ray Barker). The story is not tidy and can be troublesome to track, but its interactions are satisfying and lead to good payoffs.
Silverado is a fine pick for anoyne in the mood for a story that has clear heroes and villains but avoids a formulaic structure. Silverado does not turn the genre on its head, but it goes far on the back of a talented ensemble cast and a kaleidoscope of interesting conflicts. Skip it if you are looking for a pure comedy, a heavier drama, or a more rigidly structured story.
For a Western with a similar tone and many of the same virtues, try Tombstone. For a Western adventure that skews even lighter, try Maverick. For a Western parody with raunchier humor, try Blazin’ Saddles. For a less successful take on a similar premise, try Big Kill.
[7.2 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0090022/). I give it a 7.0 to 7.5 for likable characters and a fulfilling adventure.