Review of Nashville (1975) by Gordon B — 29 Aug 2012

There are many words to describe Robert Altman's "Nashville": Amazing. Spectacular. Wonderful. Entertaining. You'd think this black comedy film would drag, considering its running time almost clocks at three hours, there's a record-holding 24 characters, and there's an hour's worth of singing.

Somehow, "Nashville" seems to overcome the impossible-- every second is well-spend and entertaining. That's simply just the magic of Robert Altman, a director known for his superb ensemble comedies.

The film is simply about a five day gathering at the country music capital of the world, set with every character imaginable in the music/concert world. At first I was skeptical, but instead of being excessively busy, Altman instead gives us interesting characters of all sorts (I especially liked Ronee Blakley, Geraldine Chaplin, Henry Gibson, and Shelley Duvall), fun but realistic situations, and a screenplay that pops with personality.

Altman connects all of these characters (God knows how) in a way that we can leave one situation, at a cliff hanger, and go to the next, and by the time we've come back we're so curious that when the film itself is actually over, it's a shock.

It has all the characteristics in the world of a soap opera, considering how absorbing it is, but is so witty and often funny that it never gets over the top. Even the tragedy of singer Barbara Jean (Ronee Blakley) in a way is handled with sincerity, but comical tendencies.

"Nashville" is a terrific satire of the country music world that is so much fun yet so impressive that it just might be one of the best "commercial" films ever made. Recommended.