MovieChat Forums > Altman (2014) Discussion > Half-hearted doc about a genius.

Half-hearted doc about a genius.

posted 9 years ago by quagaplomb
7 replies | jump to latest

This has missed-opportunity written all over it. It begins well enough, looking at his early, and I do mean early films, industrial how-to's and heretofore unseen footage that I found interesting. As well as home movies. However it then goes through MASH like a hot knife through butter and never slows down to look at the production or anything, then looks at his follow up that was hugely disappointing as if it was just another movie he made. Then proceeds to look at McCabe, and again, glosses right past. So disappointing. All surface and no depth.

[–] annseton 9 years ago

That's true. Hope they'll make another documentary on Altman soon to really explore all those great films and more on the man and his family. I was so looking forward to insightful information and anecdotes about my particular faves Nashville, Three Women, and The Player.

Same Rules Apply

[–] aGuiltySoul 9 years ago

This is a film about Robert Altman, the man and filmmaker. If you want analysis of his many films, there are other places to go to see and hear that.

It's not what a movie is about, it's how it is about it.
RIP Roger Ebert

[–] orchidclub 9 years ago

I agree. I think this would have been better if it was longer and took more time to go through the events of Altman's life and also the films that he made. There were a lot of great films like 3 Women that got pretty much skipped over. I also think this would have been better if it was told in a more traditional format with interviews from his friends and family. I was rather disappointed that the only on-camera interviews with the people who appeared in his movies was just to say ONE LINE. I mean really? You assemble some of the greatest actors in the world just for that one line? I found that very frustrating.

____________________________
http://thrill-me.blogspot.com

[–] ljdj 9 years ago

I was SO disappointed in this movie! I also was looking forward to seeing this fantastic director's thoughts on his films.... those classics that helped me get thru the 1970s especially. No depth to any of the analysis of Altman's inspirations and what was taking place around us back then. We need a better look at this chronicler of America and Americans.

[–] CharteredStreets 9 years ago

I enjoyed the film but agree that it was ultimately a little disappointing, particularly when it started whizzing through the classics. I don't have a problem with it being about the man etc., the early stuff works well. But I could have used another hour on the films; it certainly could have done with being longer (not something I say often). I'd have liked more from the 'interviewees' than their definition of Altmanesque, which, while a neat idea, grew a little tiresome when I realised that none of the subjects were going to say anything more about the man or the films.

If I have to tell you again, we're gonna take it outside and I'm gonna show you what it's like!

[–] Anscules 9 years ago

I'll watch anything like this, but sadly, yes, this is classifiable under "anything." It's Cliff's Notes Altman AT BEST. The moment where I realized it was little more than a puff piece was when they just ran the first shot of The Player like they were going to play the whole film.

Pretty atrocious. I learned almost nothing. If you are interested in Altman, go read some books and watch all of his films. Even the bad ones.

Still I gave it a 6 here because I never get tired of seeing Bob in his cowboy hats. Plus, during the film it occurred to me that he looks like he could be James Gandolfini's dad. That's all I got out of it.

"Rampart: Squad 51."

[–] Aunt-Peg 9 years ago

Whist this is very watchable it's so slight.

It would taking a film of 4 to 5 hours to do justice to Altman's career and life.