Silkwood

BBBB

(out of 5)

Meryl Streep proved that elegant period pieces weren’t the only thing she could shine in when she appeared in this devastating, fact-based drama. She plays real-life Karen Silkwood, an employee at a plutonium processing plant who decides to go public about the harmful effects of the material she is working with and the lax methods that her company is using to protect its employees from danger. Sadly, the night she is supposed to meet with a reporter from the New York Times to tell her story, she dies in a very suspicious automobile accident. Delving into her personal life with her boyfriend (Kurt Russell) and roommate and best friend (Cher, whose work here is marvelous), this fascinating film is a powerful look at the evils of corporate America and the sacrifices that are made in the name of greed. Directed with precision and uninterrupted force by Mike Nichols, it is thought-provoking and educational and never loses your attention for a moment. Streep, as usual, astounds.

USA, 1983

Directed by Mike Nichols

Screenplay by Nora Ephron, Alice Arlen

Cinematography by Miroslav Ondricek

Produced by Michael Hausman, Mike Nichols

Music by Georges Delerue

Production Design by Patrizia von Brandenstein

Costume Design by Ann Roth

Film Editing by Sam O’Steen

Cast Tags:  Anthony Fernandez, Anthony Heald, Betty Harper, Betty King, Bill Cobbs, Bruce McGill, Charles Hallahan, Cher, Christopher Saylors, Craig T. Nelson, Dan Lindsey, David Strathairn, Diana Scarwid, Don Slatton, E. Katherine Kerr, Fred Ward, Gary Grubbs, Georges Delerue, Graham Jarvis, Haskell Craver, Henderson Forsythe, J.C. Quinn, James Rebhorn, John Martin, Josef Sommer, Kathie Dean, Kent Broadhurst, Kurt Russell, Les Lannom, M. Emmet Walsh, Meryl Streep, Michael Bond, Nancy Hopton, Norman Colvin, Ray Baker,Richard Hamilton, Ron Silver, Sudie Bond, Susan McDaniel, Tana Hensley, Tess Harper, Tom Stovall, Vern Porter, Will Patton

Academy Award Nominations
Best Actress in a Leading Role (Meryl Streep as “Karen Silkwood”)
Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Cher as “Dolly Pelliker”)
Best Directing (Mike Nichols)
Best Film Editing (Sam O’Steen)
Best Writing (Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen) (Nora Ephron, Alice Arlen)

Golden Globe Award
Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture (Cher)

Nominations
Best Motion Picture-Drama
Best Performance By An Actress in a Motion Picture-Drama (Meryl Streep)
Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture (Kurt Russell)
Best Director (Mike Nichols)

New York Film Critics Award Nominations
Best Film
Best Actress (Meryl Streep)
Best Supporting Actress (Cher)

Los Angeles Film Critics Award Nomination
Best Supporting Actress (Cher)

National Society of Film Critics Award Nomination
Best Supporting Actress (Cher)

Writers Guild Award Nomination
Best Drama Written Directly for the Screen

British Academy Award Nominations
Best Actress (Meryl Streep)
Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Cher)