Silkwood (1983)

Based on the harrowing account of whistle blower Karen Silkwood, this 1983 film directed by Mike Nichols (The Graduate, Postcards from the Edge) is as much a character study of a woman galvanized by injustice as a story of the dangers of nuclear power and the extremes of corporate greed. When Karen discovers unsafe conditions and reckless protocol at the plant where she works, her actions in uncovering the dangers that lie at the plant not only cause a rift between her and her lover (Kurt Russell) and her best friend (Cher), but they threaten her very life. Streep gives yet another bravura performance as a wild child in Oklahoma forced to confront the harsh realities of her life, and the supporting cast, from Cher to Russell to Diana Scarwid is first rate. This true story of the woman who disappeared under mysterious circumstances while trying to find the truth is a well-told, challenging, and emotionally complex tale. --Robert Lane Amazon.com essential video

Silkwood: One Of The Best

Wonderful intriguing movie. Makes you wonder and Think, like a good movie should. I hope Mike Nichols decides to do a movie on the 2008 Presidential Primary race: how Hillary Clinton received more votes than any of her rivals, and more votes than any Presidential Primary candidate in History. Base it on the report Primary versus Caucus by Peniel Cronin. August 8, 2008

BAD quality of the DVD

Great movie, but the DVD that we received was AWFUL. I had my suspicions when it arrived, just from how it was wrapped, and there was a sticker that said "made in mexico" but it looked like someone just at home made a copy or something. Didn't look like a professional copy.

It had lines all through it. The darker scenes were so dark, they were difficult to see. The volume would only go up to a certain level, and wouldn't get any higher. When the A/C would kick on, we had to pause the movie because we could not hear it.

I am returning it to Amazon and getting a refund. July 3, 2008

as good as film gets

the cast, the director, the story, the editor, everthing is at its best... more films like this please. May 30, 2008

"THE BEST LABORATORY SAFETY MOVIE EVER MADE"

If marketed to businesses to use as a training film, "Silkwood" could get all sorts of industrial safety film awards including the honor of being the first industrial training film in which:

A) Three famous actors team up to teach us radiation safety,
B) Cher plays a Dyke,
C) Meryl Streep pulls a "Janet Jackson" and we get to see her boob for a split second,
D) Kurt Russell's talent for dry humor is wasted; e.g. in the bedroom scene where he is consoling the radioactive Meryl Streep he does NOT say "Of course I still love you, you were hot the day I met you and you still are."

+1 star for acting; +1 star for lab safety; +1 star for telling the nasty truth; -1 star for the clothes, sets and overall look-and-feel (thank goodness the 1970s are over); -1 star for being boring and angst-ridden with an anorexic plot. April 19, 2008

Radiant Movie about Radiation

"Silkwood" was Meryl Streep's breakthrough movie. It's no surprise why. Streep radiates class and determination as whistleblower Karen Silkwood. She brings conviction to her role, carrying the film. Though the movie's coda claims that Silkwood died under "unknown circumstances",one still wonders if there was a conspiracy afoot.

"Silkwood" is also a human story. Kurt Russell is excellent as Silkwood's on-again,off-again,and frequently shirtless lover Drew (this helps,since the plot slows down several times) Cher shines as Silkwood's lesbian friend Dolly. Craig T. Nelson is a convincing villain.

"Silkwood" tells an inspirational, chilling story. While it is slow at points, the acting and production is excellent. It's a timeless classic of courage and conviction. March 12, 2008

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