Short Cuts, a film directed by Robert Altman has possibly the most misleading name in movies. Its 3hours and a quarter more of LA life with lots of intertwining stories from a load of different people; and this is where the films cleverness lies. Unlike a lot of these types of movies where the links between the stories feels contrived (QT stand up and be shamed) this feels a llot more natural and this is mostly down to the tremendous cast and the way the stories are linked by genuine relationships rather than mad coincidence. I will try and give and idea of its flavour...
A helicopter pilot sprays pesticide over LA, his ex wife Frances McDormand is seeing philandering cop and questionable father Tim Robbins, who is in turn married to a cynical and knowing lady whose sister is artist Julianne Moore whose paediatriction husband, Matthew Modine is apprehensive about a visit from a social climber and her husband (who is planning an eventful fishing trip with Huey Lewis) who they met at a cello performance by a young lady whose mother is a jazz singer at a bar where trainee Make Up artist Robert Downey Jr and his partner, discuss housesitting for their neighbours. Robert Downey Jr is friends with pool guy Chris Penn whose wife is a phone sex operator
Etcetera etcetera, despite all these links we never feel crowbarred into a new scenario and every twist and turn feels completely natural. And I haven't even mentioned my favourite little story between Lily Tomlin and Tom Waits (of all people!)
I love this film, though it's quite an undertaking to watch it all in one go. Every story develops and has its eventual punchline - the (only) sudden explosion of violence in the tale comes from a very unexpected quarter indeed and even this feels unsurprising and pays off in the news headlines at the end of the tale.
This film is also exceptional in that it contains a really rather good performance from Andie McDowell of all people! When that happens you know the director must be a genius.
Watch it if only once. Your patience will be rewarded.
A
Monday, June 9, 2008
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