Review of Streamers (1983) by Grizz F — 14 Jun 2009

Altman's assured hand with ensembles ought to have liberated Rabe's plays, sprung it from the stage and turned it into something cinematic. But Altman refuses to do so. The performances are too big for the screen, pitched to the last from of a theater. One wonders why they felt the need for a complete set when it would have been truer to the intent of the filmmakers tom film a theatrical production?

The subtance of the play is well realized by the cast, but the result is about as uncinematic as you can imagine.