Robert Altman burst into the cinema scene in the early 1970s with the iconic war satire MASH starring Donald Sutherland and Elliot Gould. Altman made a name for himself with his use of dark humor and satire, ensemble casts and a distinctive use of overlapping dialogue. Altman was a self-described misfit who never quite fit in with Hollywood, he maintained a sense of independence by directing films with medium or limited sized budgets. There’s an eclectic variety to Altman’s filmography with numerous genres that’s impossible to characterize or predict. But all his films share a genuine humanity and an unyielding passion for storytelling and filmmaking. Paul Thomas Anderson has repeatedly cited Altman as a major influence, and it's clear with Anderson's love of big ensembles in Boogie Nights and Magnolia.This article discusses the ten essential Altman films from the directors prolific career.
Popeye (1980)
The idea of Altman directing a live action feature about Americas beloved animated sailor, Popeye (Robin Williams) must have been very surprising and turned a few heads. Altman directing a Disney film is basically an oddity in his career. The film stars the iconic Robin Williams in the eponymous role. Popeye arrives at a small coastal town and falls in love with Olive Oyl (Shelly Duvall) and aims to win her heart. But it’s not so easy as she is set to marry Captain Bluto. The film has a colorful and transcendent score and soundtrack by Harry Nilsson that’s filled with songs of pure joy. The film was largely critically panned in 1980 but has since been reappraised and gathered a cult following among Altman fans.
California Split (1976)
This film is about a friendship that blossoms between two gamblers Charlie Waters (Elliot Gould) and Bill (George Segal). George’s love of gambling has forced him into debt, but he can’t stop and when Charlie proposes they go on a trip to Reno to win big, he can't resist. California spilt is about friendship and the dangers of gambling. The film is elevated because of the onscreen chemistry between Gould and Segal, who really seem to bond, and they’re totally at home in these characters. Every second they’re together onscreen is an absolute delight. This is why this film is essential Altman.
3 Women (1977)
3 Women follows the story of Pinky (Sissy Spacek) who starts work as a therapist with Millie (Shelly Duvall). Pinky moves in with Millie and becomes fascinated with her way of life and her outfits and magazines, and Pinky begins to replicate her. The films explore their increasingly strange relationship. It’s an incredibly eerie and unsettling film that owes a real debt to the Ignmar Bergman film Persona. This is Altman as his most Bergmanesque and visually poetic.
Gosford Park (2001)
Gosford Park is Altman’s version of an Agatha Christie, basically and English 'Who done it?' like Murder On the Orient Express. Altman’s film is scripted by the immensely talented Julian Fellowes who later created the show Downton Abbey. Gosford Park is set in rural England in the 1930’s when a shooting party gather for the weekend at the estate of a wealthy English man. Naturally there’s a murder, but everything isn't what it seems. The film is more concerned using this drama to explore the people, and the tiered class system inside the manor dividing guests and servants and their rituals and customs. The film has an incredible ensemble cast featuring the likes of, Bob Balaban, Charles Dance, Clive Owen, Emily Watson, Helen Mirren, Kristin Scott Thomas, Maggie Smith, Michael Gambon, Richard E. Grant and Stephen Fry.
The Player (1992)
After the critical and commercial success of Altman in the 1970s, the 1980s seen Altman fade away in popular culture, with less widely seen films such as Streamers, and Secret Honor. But when Altman made The Player, a Hollywood satire about a studio executive who gets embroiled in a murder, it totally rejuvenated his career and reminded everyone why Altman was a major talent and an absolute master of satire.
Short Cuts (1993)
Altman quickly followed the success of The Player with an adaptation of Raymond Carver’s short story collection 'What We Talk About When We Talk About Love'. The film is an ensemble story set in Los Angles and follows the lives of multiple characters and their personal struggles with love and life, as cross paths before reaching an unforgettable climax. The cast includes Andie MacDowell, Julianne Moore, Lily Tomlin, Madeline Stowe, Matthew Modine, Robert Downey Jr, Tim, Robbins and Tom Waits. The ensemble cast were awarded a special prize at the Venice film festival. Short Cuts confirmed the renaissance of Altman, and he received a nomination for Best Director at the Academy Awards that year.
McCabe and Mrs. Miller (1971)
McCabe and Mrs. Miller marked Altman’s sole foray into the western genre. But the film left an indelible mark. The film follows McCabe as he arrives in an old mining town and begins a business partnership with a local prostitute and starts developing the town. The film has a memorable score by Leonard Cohen. The cinematography was shot by legendary director of photography Vilmos Zsigmond and marked his first collaboration with Altman.
MASH (1970)
MASH is nothing less than one of the most iconic anti-war movies ever made. Altman brings this satire of the Korean War to life with devastating effect. Altman's distinctive mix of dark comedy, slapstick and pathos resonated with audiences in the early seventies, who were disturbed and outraged by the war in Vietnam. Mash treats its characters with a real humanity and shows how people use cynicism, humor and irony as tools to cope with the horror of war. The cast includes, Donald Sutherland, Elliot Gould, Michael Murphy, Robert Duvall, Sally Kellerman and Tom Skerrit.
The Long Goodbye (1973)
This was Altman’s adaptation of the iconic pulp detective novel by Raymond Chandler. Altman’s take on Marlowe (Elliot Gould) is embedded in the seventies and takes a far more modern approach to the character than had previously been seen. Elliot Gould was by all accounts born to the play the part. Altman’s Marlowe is a cynical private eye who seems to be drifting through life with a sense of apathy and sarcasm to deal with the world. Altman casts aside the notion of a slick, ice cool Humphrey Bogart Marlowe, and has instead crafted a truly original character piece the embodies the zeitgeist of the time. The film also saw Altman team up with director of photography Vilmos Zsigmond for the second time.
Nashville (1975)
Nashville is arguably one of the greatest ensemble films ever made. Altman's film follows numerous characters during a music festival in Nashville. The film explores the cost of fame and ambition in the microcosm of the country music scene. The script was written by Joan Tewkesbury. The film has an incredible soundtrack and won the Academy Award for best original song with “I’m Easy” which was written by Keith Carradine who starred in the film. The film was shot on location in Nashville, with a massive ensemble with the likes of Karen Black, Jeff Goldblum, Ronee Blakley, Timothy Brown, and Altman favorites, Elliot Gould, Keith Carradine, Michael Murphy and Shelly Duvall. The film is an epic canvas of American culture and politics and a testament to the craft and vision of one of American cinemas masters. Nashville is arguably Altman’s masterpiece, and it brings his singular and distinctive vision to life.