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The Salton Sea

Play trailer Poster for The Salton Sea R Released Apr 26, 2002 1h 43m Crime Drama Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
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63% Tomatometer 83 Reviews 82% Popcornmeter 10,000+ Ratings
After the murder of his beloved wife, a man (Val Kilmer) in search of redemption is set adrift in a world where nothing is as it seems. On his journey, he befriends slacker Jimmy The Finn (Peter Sarsgaard), becomes involved in rescuing his neighbor Colette (Deborah Kara Unger) from her own demons, and gets entangled in a web of deceit full of unexpected twists and turns.
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The Salton Sea

The Salton Sea

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Critics Consensus

A slick Tarantino-inspired movie that is not for everyone.

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Critics Reviews

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Empire Magazine Rated: 3/5 May 2, 2003 Full Review Bruce Westbrook Houston Chronicle Repellent yet intriguing, brutal yet funny, wicked yet strangely compassionate, The Salton Sea is more about mixing genres and styles than illuminating a credible reality. Rated: A- Aug 23, 2002 Full Review Robert K. Elder Chicago Tribune Sacrificing content for style, Caruso gives us a lot to look at but little to ponder. Rated: 2/4 Jul 20, 2002 Full Review Debbie Lynn Elias Behind The Lens Cynical, devious and even deviant, The Salton Sea is one psychological thrill ride you don't want to miss. Nov 15, 2019 Full Review Ryan Cracknell Movie Views The overall voyage on The Salton Sea is an uneasy one hampered by a confusing story that admits out loud it doesn't know where it's going. Dec 17, 2010 Full Review Film Threat Rated: 1.5/5 Dec 6, 2005 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Stephen C Success in 1 hour and 43 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Starring Val Kilmer as Danny Parker!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $676,700.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/12/25 Full Review Janis E I liked it because it was so endlessly, grotesquely, inventive. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 07/10/25 Full Review thiago s Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 07/03/25 Full Review Gina R Overall, this examination of manufactured corruption set against a film noirish swagger may not have the in-depth impact like contemporaries L.A. Confidential or Memento, but this Sea is certainly worth swimming in Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/19/25 Full Review Niko H A raw & gritty classic with a lil extra sprinkled on top for entertainment. Give it time and watch it through. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/17/25 Full Review Janeane W Excellent movie! Criminally underrated. Everything about this movie is amazing; the cinematography, DJ Caruso's directorial style, Val Kilmer and Vincent D'Onofrio's acting and - above all else - great writing! Also Thomas Newman's score is haunting and heartbreaking. This movie should've won an Oscar Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/05/25 Full Review Read all reviews
The Salton Sea

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Movie Info

Synopsis After the murder of his beloved wife, a man (Val Kilmer) in search of redemption is set adrift in a world where nothing is as it seems. On his journey, he befriends slacker Jimmy The Finn (Peter Sarsgaard), becomes involved in rescuing his neighbor Colette (Deborah Kara Unger) from her own demons, and gets entangled in a web of deceit full of unexpected twists and turns.
Director
D.J. Caruso
Producer
Frank Darabont, Eriq La Salle, Ken Aguado, Butch Robinson
Screenwriter
Tony Gayton
Distributor
Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co
Humble Journey Films, Castle Rock Entertainment, Darkwoods Productions
Rating
R (Language|Drug Use|Some Sexuality|Strong Violence)
Genre
Crime, Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Apr 26, 2002, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 1, 2009
Box Office (Gross USA)
$676.7K
Runtime
1h 43m
Sound Mix
Surround, Dolby SR, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Dolby Stereo
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