Peter Silverman Movies

Inspired by the true life story of Erik Weihenmayer, the committed rock and ice climber who became the first blind man to reach the peak of Mount Everest, Touch the Top of the World traces Weihenmayer's unique life story from the time he was diagnosed with a rare degenerative eye condition as a young boy, to moment he achieved few thought possible. Weihenmayer was just three years old when he learned that he suffered from an eye disease that would ultimately rob him of sight. Still, his parents challenged him to lead a normal life, despite his limiting disability. Later, when Weihenmayer overcame insurmountable odds and scaled Mount Everest, his stunning achievement served as an inspiration to both his community, and other vision impaired athletes as well. Bruce Campbell, Kate Greenhouse, and Sarah Manninen co-star. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

Jane Seymour stars as Jill Maddox, a prim, respectable woman of a certain age, with a grown daughter named Amanda (Maggie Lawson) and a burgeoning career as a concert violinist. But after undergoing a heart-transplant operation, Jill exhibits an astonishing personality change. She forsakes classical music for country & western and hip-hop, begins chugging down beer at an alarming rate, and trades in her sensible wardrobe for miniskirts and tight blouses. While daughter Amanda despairs over her mother's bizarre state of mind, Jill begins experiencing ghostly nightmares -- which turn out to be messages from the 22-year-old male "party animal" whose donated heart now beats in Jill's bosom. Believe it or not, Heart of a Stranger was based on a true story, as set down in the bestseller Change of Heart. Filmed on location in Halifax, this made-for-cable drama originally aired over the Lifetime network on December 9, 2002. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The true story of one of the most contentious labor disputes of the 1970s is the basis for this made-for-cable drama. In 1973, many of the men of Harlan County, Kentucky, were employed by Brookside Mining, who operated a number of coal mines. Brookside paid its employees meager wages for dangerous, backbreaking work, and also controlled housing and retail sales in the area, boarding its workers in shacks without central heating or indoor plumbing, and selling them food and clothing at inflated prices. Warren Jakopovich (Stellan Skarsgard), an organizer for the United Mine Workers Association, encouraged Brookside's workers to join the union and go on strike for fair wages and better working conditions. Many of the miners simply couldn't afford the loss of income that a strike would mean, but when two workers died as a result of Brookside's willful ignorance of safety standards, most of Harlan County's mine workers finally went on strike. A judge formerly employed by Brookside handed down an order forbidding the workers to picket the mine sites, but Ruby Kincaid (Holly Hunter), whose husband Silas (Ted Levine) was fired for protesting dangerous conditions and whose father was attacked by scab laborers, organized the wives of striking miners to picket in their place. The Harlan County War was based on the same strike portrayed in the Academy Award-winning documentary Harlan County, USA. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Following up on Streetwise, his powerful documentary on the homeless kids of Seattle, director Martin Bell returned to that city for a dramatic feature. Nick Kelson (Edward Furlong) is a troubled teenager whose mother has been dead for many years; he spends much of his time with other throwaway kids roaming the city. When Nick's father Jack (Jeff Bridges) is released from a long stretch in prison, the father and child reunion is a bumpy one. Jack senses an obligation to his son but is trying to focus on taking responsibility for his own life before he can extend himself. Nick is wary of his father's criminal background, but he also craves the stability of a real home life. Aware that a return to the city whose mean streets spawned his criminal career might pull him back into his old ways, Jack talks about moving to Alaska to make a fresh start, but it's not clear if Nick is part of his plan. The film's unsentimental look at its characters always on the verge of backsliding didn't endear it to ticket buyers, but it was lauded by many critics for its honesty and for Bridges' strong performance, which won an Independent Spirit award. ~ Tom Wiener, All Movie Guide

Maddie (Cybill Shepherd) is shocked when her favorite radio DJ Arthur Boyd is murdered right in the middle of a broadcast. David (Bruce Willis) prods Maddie into investigating the tragedy, which she does. In the process, Maddie discovers that the "late" Mr. Boyd is still alive--but if she doesn't mind her own business, her own life may be in dire jeopardy. Actress Melinda Dillon provided a few uncredited contributions to the script of this episode: However, Dillon had nothing to do with the celebrated "boinking" discussion that serves as the highlight. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Family Ties' Meredith Baxter Birney stars in this made-for-television movie about a woman threatened with losing her son to her ex-husband. Following her divorce, Margaret's son Aaron is the only person who matters to her. But when Margaret unexpectedly begins showing symptoms of mental-illness, the boy's father decides she is incapable of safely caring for their child. Determined to retain custody, Margaret embarks on a courtroom fight as well as a fight to maintain her own sanity. Nick Mancuso also stars. ~ Matthew Tobey, All Movie Guide