Review of Images (1972) by Steve S — 29 Aug 2009

Considering that Robert Altman was so universally loved and revered as a master-class film maker, you'd think that this movie would be recognized as the masterpiece it is. Images has, for some reason, fallen to the wayside as a minor entry in his canon - a completely undeserved status. As a matter of fact, it is essentially a flawless film, synergizing a complex and robust atmosphere with a rich, imaginative, macabre story. Not since There Will Be Blood have I seen a movie with such a controlled, potent sense of self. No choice here is made in vain. Susannah York nails this shit with a performance that is energetic and serious but never over the top; John Williams composes one of the most exciting scores I've heard in ages; Vilmos Zsigmond's cinematography is cavernous and oppressive and lush in a dreamlike way. The children's book narrative, written by York herself, is a bizarre but suitable frame for the film. And of course, Altman's contributions are not to be ignored. A director known for his sprawling ensemble casts helmed this six-man chamber horror perfectly, with assurance and confidence in his audience.

My praise might seem a little superfluous, but this film is gravely underseen and I feel it deserves much more attention than it has received. Throw this one on your Netflix queue posthaste.