Review of California Split (1974) by Kevin N — 12 Oct 2011

This is Robert Altman's underrated saga about two men who do nothing but gamble. What is truly interesting about the film in comparison to ones like 'The Hustler' is that in this film, the addicts never lose- at least not materialistically.

The film builds and builds in stakes and tension until its big payoff, where Bill (George Segal) and Charlie (Elliot Gould) hit it big thanks to their addiction. They don't lose, technically, but there is so much tragedy and loss in the film's final frames that we are left with a feeling of unshakable sadness, one similar to that shown on Bill's face as he exits the film.

Some of the scenes in the film gave me a headache, and I mean that as a credit to Altman, not as a criticism. His signature sound mix- an amalgam of noise in which an entire space, rather than a few characters, is given precedence- paints a better picture of the environment of race tracks and casinos than probably any other movie, and Altman asks us to get used to the conditions or get out.

Those who choose to stick around will find that this is one of Altman's most enjoyable films, one that is filled with great comic moments but one that is also unfairly overlooked as the great dramatic movie that it is.