Review of California Split (1974) by Luiserghio M — 22 Jul 2010

Charlie (Elliott Gould) and William (George Segal) play two excessive gamblers. They hit the poker tables, horse races, etc. pretty much anything which they can gamble on. Charlie is a fast talking manic who is always just looking for the big score. William has come under some trouble and owes his bookie a lot of money. We follow these two men as they gamble and drink all day long, everyday.

This film stylistically is much more tame then most of Altman's work. It is not nearly as flashy, but it does pack the emotional sadness which most of his films have. The film is really about the shallowness involved with gambling and how people that need to do such things really do so because they are missing something in their life. Must of the film is absolutely hysterical as we follow Charlie and William from poker table to bar to race track to bar, well you get the point. Elliott Gould is great in this film, as William; he is hysterical and really gives maybe even a better performance than in The Long Goodbye. The film is all fun until the final scene, where William begins to realize the error of his ways.

This is just another strong flick from Altman, its hilarious, fun, and sad all at the same time. Ironically enough, it really did make me want to go gamble...