Review of M*A*S*H (1970) by Nick G — 14 Feb 2011

Weird, borderline insane drama/comedy that was a bit too crazy even for me to really get into, at least not until the second act. The film is pretty plotless, mostly focusing on the various wacky interactions the main character has with the people around him and all the trouble he gets himself into and promptly out of with nary a consequence.

It's all very odd, though, always skirting the line between serious drama and slapstick, over the top comedy. A very bizarre mix. And what a strange performance by Robert Duvall as this sort of villain of all things. And talk about sexism against women, though it's all played for mean spirited laughs. And the last third of the film totally shifts focus by turning into a sports movie, out of nowhere! And it's arguably the most hilarious part of the film. It's just a crazy, crazy movie.

But it's also really well shot. There's one scene in particular near the middle where a character is holding a "public" suicide that's extremely well constructed, even going so far as staging a live recreation of Da Vinci's Last Supper painting for some reason. And the theme song is as beautiful as it is haunting.

Overall, I don't know about this movie. It's certainly not bad, and unlike anything I've seen, but a lot of it felt pretty random, at least until the middle of the film when my brain finally stopped trying to make sense of what is essentially a plotless film and simply enjoy it for its humor and beauty. It's pretty funny at times, and the lead character is entertaining in a "man, that guy's a real jackass" sort of way. I don't know. Worth watching, I guess.