Review of Short Cuts (1993) by Stuart B — 12 Apr 2011

Wasn't really sure what to expect from this, though I guessed it would be some kind of loosely woven narrative linking a series of stories similar to Amores Perros, Magnolia or maybe Paris J'Taime, but with a touch of Altman's The Player too.

So that sounded intriguing and Altman is always worth watching, but even so I was very surprised by just how GOOD it was. The stories at first seem like completely unrelated pieces, but soon enough you see the link both physically and narratively as Altman studies dysfunctional America today, and it works so well.

It's understated, with so many great actors providing perhaps smaller roles than they are used to, but they all provide great moments, especially so from Jack Lemmon, Lily Tomlin and Tim Robbins. The individual stories are riveting, and together they work so well, providing an overarching, compelling and darkly funny study of relationships, and how it ends (surprisingly similarly to The Thin Red Line), with it's unfinished stories kind of reflects just what Altman is going for.

It is like he has taken a snippet of life during a couple of days of the lives of a group of people, but their past and futures are not resolved, as life isn't, and it was extremely refreshing to see.

Compelling from beginning to end, each story is fascinating and how it all comes together quite brilliant.