Review of 3 Women (1977) by Sameh S — 02 Jun 2010

Altman channeling Bergman, it seems. The film is driven by the subtle performances of Spacek and Duvall and their slow digression into delusion. But there's something incredibly visceral and dreamlike about the film as well.

I would say Altman is also attempting something very Tarkovsky-like. To subconsciously engage an audience using fluid visuals that swallow an audience whole. To trap us in this created universe. My only problem with the movie is a big irker for me.

Many times, it seemed to rely too heavily on symbols when it could have relied simply on the human elements. It detracts from this being the idealistically pure, perfect experience I look for in film.

But yet, it would be difficult to find a movie that combines thematic and formalistic elements so perfectly.