M*A*S*H (1970) [Directed by Robert Altman]

Rating: Null/10 (7 March 2003)

There are very few film-makers that could arguably be referred to as masters of their trade, and even less films that can justifiably be known as great. But M*A*S*H is one of those rarities that happens to have both of these aspects... and then some. Although (sadly) it is better known as a long-running television series, the film is an absolute treat that has gained a reputation among fans and critics as one of the best American movies of all time. Blending equal measures of black comedy and political satire, it was an extremely daring film upon the time of its release that remains just as brutally honest today as it was thirty years ago. Even more impressive is the fact that it's an anti-war movie in which not a single bullet is fired -- unless you count the gun that goes off during the ending football game, leading to one of the film's biggest laughs as Hot Lips screams, "Oh my God! They've shot him!," to which Colonel Blake replies, "Hot Lips, you incredible nincompoop! It's the end of the quarter!" But despite the fact that it's labeled a comedy, the film leaves you with a bittersweet feeling that isn't easily shaken off; and despite the fact that it's known as a Vietnam movie (which is only half-true), it has a universal tone that makes it truly timeless. As a matter of fact, before it was released, director Robert Altman attempted to get by without any mention to the fact that it took place during the Korean war, which would have caused his audiences to treat it as a commentary on the war in Vietnam. But Fox deemed this concept too politically risque and forced Altman to include a "KOREA" title card following the opening credits. This wasn't the only problem Fox had with the film, though: when Altman was attempting to assemble his footage, the powers-that-be saw only a number of disconnected vignettes featuring indiscernible overlapping dialogue and rather explicit operating sequences. Even the cast of the film was reported as saying, "[Altman] is going to ruin our careers!" But Altman knew what he was doing, and after including tie-in shots of hysterical announcements over a speakerphone, he had completed a masterpiece that would go on to make movie, television, and social history. Just how great is this film, you might ask? So great that it's impossible to do justice to it in just a few paragraphs. Although Altman made some (arguably) better films -- most notably Nashville and Mcabe and Mrs. Miller -- M*A*S*H is his most important AND his most influential. It's at once comical and tragic, absurdly funny and nostalgic, and -- contrary to their initial reactions -- it launched the careers of some of Hollywoods most renowned actors. Simply put, it was one of the most quintessential pictures of the seventies, and it remains a cult-classic gem that is -- and always will be -- an absolute pleasure to watch.
Grade: A+