Robert Altman's life and career contained multitudes. This father of American independent cinema left an indelible mark, not merely on the evolution of his art form, but also on the western zeitgeist. With its use of rare interviews, representative film clips, archival images, and musings from his family and most recognizable collaborators, Altman is a dynamic and heartfelt mediation on an artist whose expression, passion and appetite knew few bounds.
Robert Altman Michael Murphy Kathryn Reed Altman Sally Kellerman James Caan Elliott Gould Matthew Reed Altman Stephen Altman Keith Carradine Lily Tomlin Robin Williams Christine Altman Philip Baker Hall Julianne Moore Konni Corriere Lyle Lovett Mike Altman Paul Thomas Anderson Steven Spielberg Bruce Willis
UK15
London Film Festival
Canada18A
Italy
UK15
AustriaAA
Ireland15
JapanG
UK15
Austria
Canada
Ireland
Italy
Japan
UK
Robert Altman's name was something I was only vaguely familiar with. I probably wouldn't even have watched this documentary if it wasn't about to leave streaming soon. I read a summary of it, which mentioned 1980's Popeye, and that's what caught my attention; I haven't seen that one yet, but I know it has Shelley Duvall in it, and that had my interest piqued. I checked out Altman's filmography, and sure enough, it seemed like something I would enjoy.
The documentary is fairly detailed, featuring plenty of behind-the-scenes footage and interviews—including one with a shirtless Dick Cavett in a jacuzzi. It avoided relying on purely surface-level information and praise, and did a pretty good job of delving into his creative…
Making a documentary of such a prolific and groundbreaking director as Robert Altman is everything but an easy task. And I am sad to say this doesn’t live up to the expectations and at times it can be very clunky and feel very rushed. Also, while I get what they were trying to say bringing some of the actors that has worked with him defining the term “Altmanesque”, it was cute but it was shot in a way it felt odd… and borderline hysterical.
That being said, as someone who still not very familiar with his work, this was still a very educative watch. With so many people heralding him as this big name with this trademark movies and helping…
An extraordinary career underserved by a very pedestrian and by-the-numbers documentary. Even the talking heads feel unnecessarily old-fashion. I’ve also heard wilder stories about Altman’s drunk antics on Blank Check! Any viewer would be better served watching a classic Altman picture.
I hadn't visited Bob's work in a while (about a month lol), so it was nice to casually catch up like this. spoiling the end of multiple classics ain't the wave tho
Great lookout into the career of one of the most unique Directors ever.
Slight-but-loving overview of Robert Altman's career that doesn't mount much of an exploration of his style and technique, let alone the man himself. I only knew Altman from Gosford Park and A Prairie Home Companion, so I was glad for the rundown on his filmography, but this is more a fond obituary than a real effort at biography.
As someone who has shamefully seen only one Altman film this was a great overview to assist my comprehension as I work thru his filmography.
As for Altman himself, dagnabbit do I like the cut of his jib.
Not particularly enlightening. Mostly just clips and narrated anecdotes, a lot of which you can read about on IMDb trivia. Maybe he was and I'm just ignorant, but Altman seems really pleased with himself in this, and it's pretty irritating.
A treasure trove of archival footage from seemingly every point on Robert Altman's long career, but it's hard to imagine the man himself approving of anything this conventional and linear being made in his name. I guess the truly definitive documentary on Altman will consist of all of his friends and associates hanging out and talking, but who could make it?
Fun little overview that could just as easily be accomplished by reading the Wikipedia entry, because quite frankly it’s hard to make a doc where you’re relying so much on the subject’s words with no original material.
However, it does contextualize two things: his prolificacy, which tends to make the eyes glaze over when skimming his 80s filmography, and the dazzling chronology of his peak. Altman doesn’t have the same auteur myth surrounding him as a lot of the other great American filmmakers, so it sort of gets lost to time that essentially from 1970-1977 he made four or so of the greatest American films ever made, and then bookended those works with pretty good b-tier movies any director would be proud to call their magnum opus.
5.2/10
Didn’t think I would see candid home video footage of Bob Altman ass naked at a party in the 70s but hey here we are.
A nice introduction to his life and work if you are just getting started with it, but this isn't exactly an in-depth overview. Because his work was uneven and sometimes disappointing, he was never one of Hollywood's favored sons, but when his sensibilities aligned with a good script and the right cast, we were treated to something special. Even most of his lesser work is worth at least a viewing, with few exceptions. He was innovative with sound and narrative structure, and there wasn't a genre that he couldn't somehow subvert.
