Review of Short Cuts (1993) by Mjs M — 23 Jun 2008

I feel that this just might be the best movie of its kind, and Robert Altman's greatest achievement. Altman was clearly the inventor of these movies with a million intersecting stories, I think this is where it reached its zenith.

Many people point to Nashville as the Altman's definitive take on this and see Short Cuts as the Casino to Nashville's Goodfellas. I disagree however, because Short Cuts has the distinct advantage of not being about country music.

All the stories here, taken from the pages of Raymond Carver, create a vast panorama of suburban L.A. and each possesses a real emotional intensity. Almost all of the stories feature really good actors, and great writing.

The first time I watched it it was a little too much to register, but this time I really see just how masterfully put together it all is. Aside from a few dated aspects that just scream 1993, I might be so bold as to call the movie flawless.