Review of McCabe & Mrs. Miller (1971) by Marc G — 19 Jul 2008

BORING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Will Bore You To Tears. I am a hard core cinephile and this is the only reason I was able to make it through this dreck. It actually took me over ten years to sit through this incredibly slow-moving, lifeless film.

I rented it once when I was in my late teens and had to stop before I reached the end of the first act. Then I rented it again in my mid 20s and still had the same problem. Then, in my late 20s the completist in me picked it up for the final time.

I started watching it on a Monday and finished on Friday! There's just something wrong when a movie is this uncaptivating. In fact I have the same problem with all of Robert Altman's films. I think he's the most over-rated director in the history of cinema and I don't understand the glowing reviews his sloth-like films receive.

The guy's got a talent for creating atmosphere and generating good performances, but can't tell an engrossing story to save his life. Someone on here said it best - 'don't believe the baby-boomer hype'.

So true. Altman makes the biggest snooze-fest self-indulgences money can buy. I think this picture was supposed to be set in Canada... may as well have been made in Canada too. This is the type of drivel Telefilm Canada produces in spades.

Unless you're a hard core Altman fan or enjoy being bored out of your mind avoid this film like the plague! It truly is one of the worst films I've seen. For slow-moving western beauty, check out Kevin Costner's 'Open Range' instead.

It's slow as molasses, but the characters are infinitely more likable and the story sucks you in in a way this one just doesn't. AWFUL! In the words of Roger Ebert, 'I HATED, HATED, HATED THIS FILM'!