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Such disappointing DVD commentary from Robert Altman

posted 10 years ago by tlcarpenter
12 replies | jump to latest

The commentary on the DVD by Robert Altman is incredibly disappointing. For a film with 24 different characters and multi-layered subtext, I can't believe how superficial his commentary is. Many times up to 7 minutes will go by with no comment. Crucial scenes have no commentary about intent of story or character motivations. I was dumbfounded. Many of the actors are never mentioned beyond Altman stating their name and then saying whether Nashville was the first opportunity he had to work with them or if he had worked with them previously. The commentary gets especially sparse at the end of the film when you really would like insight on why he chose who would be the victim and who would be the assassin.

And there is a glaring error early in the commentary. Altman says that Geraldine Chaplin's character of BBC reporter Opal was inspired by a journalist he met when he was in Palm Springs making 3 Women. Really? 3 Women was made two years after Nashville. Did he have a time machine?

Bitter disappointment.

[–] Disardor 10 years ago

Altman's commentary tracks don't tend to be very good, unfortunately. He's one of my very favorite filmmakers but his commentaries tend to be full of dead air, misremembrances, etc. Oh well.

[–] zurichpoet 10 years ago

He gets all his thoughts up on the screen coherently, he doesn't really need to say anything.

[–] Disardor 10 years ago

I didn't say he didn't. That doesn't change the fact that commentary tracks can be interesting and add to the viewer's appreciation of a film when done right. Several Altman films are among my favorites and his mediocre commentary tracks do nothing to hurt my appreciation of him as a filmmaker, I'm only saying that his commentary tracks in general don't tend to be very engaging. The book Altman on Altman is much more informative for those seeking further thoughts from him on his films.

[–] zurichpoet 10 years ago

Altman wasn't a game show host.

[–] Disardor 10 years ago

Do you have Asperger's or something?

[–] zurichpoet 9 years ago

Or something.

Altman on Altman was a solid read, I will grant you that.

[–] vispateresa 7 years ago

I agree with you, I don't really se the need for such commentaries, except the need to sell more dvd's. I tend to avoid them, they add very little to the movie imho.

[–] Galagatron 9 years ago

Some people aren't good at recollecting and talking about the movies as they watch them. Dennis Hopper's commentary on "Easy Rider" is the same way. If you watch the DVD's featurette, you'll get all the information from the documentary and more.

[–] cookiela2001 9 years ago

I agree....I was so looking forward to listening to this, but as I recall, he mostly recalls the plot as we're watching it. Stuff like "So, she's hitchhiking to get away from her husband, and she doesn't want him to see her...."

It's like, "Okay, we GOT that. We've SEEN the movie and are now looking for a little EXTRA insight!"

.

[–] metatron1970 8 years ago

I agree on the disappointing commentary for Nashville. The first time I heard it, I was crestfallen he didn't come up with more memorable stories for one of his most important films. Contrast it with the Criterion commentary track for 3 Women, which is one of the best commentaries I've ever heard. I am fairly certain that commentary track was produced with an unheard interviewer asking him questions, and he goes into minute detail not only on the making of 3 Women, but also his ideas on his art in general. Altman needed somebody to stimulate him when doing his commentaries. Otherwise it's just him in a soundbooth re-watching his movie but not telling us anything we don't already know. He was spirited and lively in the commentary tracks for McCabe & Mrs. Miller and California Split, mainly because he conducted those tracks with other members of the production which prompted interesting discussions on why certain choices were made. I regret Altman didn't live long enough to re-do his track for Criterion's version of Nashville using the same approach that worked so well on 3 Women. In the version we currently have, Altman sounded bored and disinterested, like he was talking about one of his lesser efforts that had a lot of studio wrangling like Gingerbread Man (a miserable experience for him). One other notable commentary track is Kansas City, in which we find out just how much of Altman's energy and thought went into its creation. If like many people your attitude to Kansas City is rather cold, listen to it with the commentary and it may change your mind completely on the film.

[–] AtomicReturns (1252) 7 years ago

I haven't heard the commentary for Nashville, but I like your detailed rundown of the other ones. Gives me a good idea what to expect with his other audio commentaries which apparently are much better.

And if it's true that Altman saw Nashville as one of his lesser works, that's a shame. I think Nashville is in his Top 3 easily (although I was unaware of the heavy studio interference, which would explain his ambivalent feelings).

[–] Garibaldi (36) 6 years ago

Agreed. I love commentaries when they offer insight. Sadly, there was very little of that here. A pity as it is a great movie. He seemed to have difficulty recalling much about it too.