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The Salton Sea
2002
Caught up in the permanent nighttime of the habitual methamphetamine user, Danny Parker (Val Kilmer) and his friends close the curtains so they can't tell what time of day it is. But while his associates revel in their highs, Danny is haunted by his previous life as Tom Van Allen, a trumpet player who lost his wife (Chandra .. Read more
| Starring | Val Kilmer, Vincent D'Onofrio, Peter Sarsgaard, Doug Hutchison |
|---|---|
| Director | D.J. Caruso |
| Genres | Thriller |
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The Salton Sea
Caught up in the permanent nighttime of the habitual methamphetamine user, Danny Parker (Val Kilmer) and his friends close the curtains so they can't tell what time of day it is. But while his associates revel in their highs, Danny is haunted by his previous life as Tom Van Allen, a trumpet player who lost his wife (Chandra West) in the crossfire of a shoot out. In an effort to find his wife's killer, Tom became a police informant, adopting a heavily-tattooed disguise. When he discovers that a Mexican drug lord has put a hit out on him, Danny decides to pull one last score--unfortunately involving Pooh-Bear (Vincent D'Onofrio), a childlike kingpin with a penchant for torture and a yawning void where his nose once was.
D.J. Caruso's debut is a beautifully photographed punk-noir set against the backdrop of a gang of speed freaks in contemporary L.A. Opening with a brief history of methamphetamine, THE SALTON SEA immediately establishes an original tone for its kaleidoscopic tour through well-traveled territory. Taking its cue from the wave of mid-1990s crime films, the script by Tony Gayton (MURDER BY NUMBERS) delivers the usual doses of hip gallows humor, but also infuses the proceedings with dollops of pain and loss, often shifting the tone to that of the more soulful, responsible crime films of the 1970s.
| Starring | Val Kilmer, Vincent D'Onofrio, Peter Sarsgaard, Doug Hutchison, Adam Goldberg, Deborah Unger, B.D. Wong, Chandra West, Luis Guzman, Danny Trejo, Anthony Lapaglia, Anthony LaPaglia |
|---|---|
| Director | D.J. Caruso |
| Studio | WARNER HOME VIDEO |
| Run time | DVD: 1 hr 39 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Thriller |
| Language | DVD: English |
| Released | DVD: 26 May 2003 Production year: 2002 |
| Format | DVD |
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Critics' reviews (6)
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A rock star-styled Val Kilmer plays it hip as a low-life pretender hunting for his wife's killers in this eccentric and atmospheric crime thriller. Shot like a frenetic film noir within the murky world of LA's crystal meth users, it marks director DJ Caruso's first non-TV feature. With its Day-Glo characters, whose antics range from hilarious to downright scary, the tale has the same quirky, edgy feel of Trainspotting, but with a mournful undercurrent. Kilmer is on top form as the jazz player masquerading as an addict, recapturing some of his lost sex symbol status, while Vincent D'Onofrio steals the show as a big-time dealer whose own habit has worn away his nose. Sophisticated yet irreverent, intelligent yet bizarre, this is left-field viewing with a seriously cool veneer.
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Sleazy movie that enjoys its descent into the gutter, which here is full of grotesque characters and incidents, including a noseless dealer who recreates the Kennedy assassination with the aid of pigeons in model cars.
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Most helpful member's review
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27 out of 35 people found this review helpful
[Highly rated reviewer]
Another one for the list.
The very best to star one of the very best, Val Kilmer. And the greatest movie ever to feature the ubiquitous Pooh Bear!
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- younglochinvar from Prestatyn
- Posted 17 Sep 2007 21:16
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Most recent members' review
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2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
This is it the one......
This film is amazing. No holes barred at the top of the list of great movies. If you saw 'the Narc' and liked it this will be great for you. Val kilmers best preformance to date. This film has amazing characters 'Pooh Bear' possibley being one of my favourite characters of all time a sadistic drug dealer with no nose. The story tells of danny who's life is consumed with find those who killed his wife. But his life and circles he now involves himself in are very different. I've said enough I'll only reck it if I go on. But look out for 'Pooh Bear'.
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The Salton Sea
Caught up in the permanent nighttime of the habitual methamphetamine user, Danny Parker (Val Kilmer) and his friends close the curtains so they can't tell what time of day it is. But while his associates revel in their highs, Danny is haunted by his previous life as Tom Van Allen, a trumpet player ...
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