Review of M*A*S*H (1970) by Nick K — 07 Dec 2010

Based on Richard Hooker's 1968 novel of the same name, Robert Altman's M*A*S*H follows the misadventures of the doctors and nurses on the front lines of the Korean War and features an ensemble cast of largely then-unknown actors, including Donald Sutherland, Elliot Gould, Tom Skerrit, and Robert Duvall. Altman had the actors improvise the majority of their lines, and deftly overlaps the dialogue; characters talk over each other and carry on multiple conversations at once. At first, the effect is somewhat jarring, yet is quite innovative as contributes to the humour and gives the film a distinct rhythm.

Released in January of 1970, in the midst of America's involvement in Vietnam, Altman's film is heavy on anti-establishment humour and social commentary. While the film is often hilarious, the comedy is juxtaposed with quite graphic (and exquisitely shot) scenes of surgeries, which adds to the realism and give this the film an almost documentary feel.

However, the film has not aged so gracefully. Despite all of the film's anti-war, and anti-establishment sentiment, it is rather misogynist. The treatment of the women in M*A*S*H is particularly cruel (I'm thinking specifically of the shower prank pulled on Hot Lips). Yet, the film is still one of Altman's better pictures with all-around great performances from the cast.