Altman-ville early in Black Comedy army helmets!

Rating: 9/10 (8 July 2004)

This film, the 4th best of 1970 (but nominated for Best Picture) came out when I was in High School. It was actually the first film released in the year 1970. Altman was a nobody (movie-wise) and this was his only hit, if you can believe it. It was set in The Korean War, but really was about the Vietnam War (I think everybody caught on to that, back then).

Altman's style of improv, zoom lenses, non-famous actors in lead roles, off-beat music, etc. made him an enemy of the "establishment" back then, and he was already in his mid-40's (like who cares, right; a lot of people cared back then). Anyway, this film in January of 1970 rocked people on their heels (a comedy), whether you were a "Love or leave it" conservative or a left-wing liberal or young, but it hit people right in the face with a laugh (bloody as it turned out).
There were no stars - the leads (D. Sutherland and E. Gould) were respected actors, but not mainstage). This film came out at the perfect time (and actually hurt the film Catch-22, unintentionally, because of timing. Forget that horrifying hit TV show in the 70's and 80's, I guess, that pampered everything away; even to the right-wing. Sutherland, who had previously played retards, villains, and ghosts didn't even get along with Altman, but became a major actor because of this. E. Gould, who had just been nominated for B&c&T&A had made six films THAT year. Sally Kellerman (who'd known Altman for years) got nominated out of nowhere. Robert Duvall was already a respected actor since the early 60's, but basically considered a character actor. Tom Skerritt (one of the leading characters), a decent actor (especially as Duke in this one), made a career off this one part. Bud Cort, etc., etc....
This mock on too many horrifying war situations showed humanity, which didn't mesh with Spiro Agnew-type people at that time (and The President; the one who resigned). It was pro-life and pro-choice, and hilarious! Great characters; drama when necessary, but mostly hip jokes about people and timing. Great opening song (used by that TV show), wonderful cinematography, Oscar-winning script, perfect acting (IN A WAR COMEDY)!. I don't know... if you're not into this one, you're probably a Born-Again Nazi or just silly. 9 out of 10 (it would have been a 10, but the football game late in the film was a little broad). Best performance = Donald Sutherland; Worst performance = ? Oh, I forgot to mention the three films better than this (#1 Five Easy Pieces, #2 Joe, #3 Husbands). It was a very good year, trust me...why should you?