Senses

Rating: 1/10 (21 August 2003)

Robert Altman is not as clever as people would have you believe. He is no more sophisticated than Paul Verhoeven or Robert Zemeckis. Between MASH, the Player, Nashville, and Gosford Park he repeatedly shows in ineptness with various topics. By comparison, Woody Allen is a genius.
MASH wants to be great (the TV show was worse) but too many times it falls into the same kind of pit as Animal House. It is less concerned about its message and more about providing some satirical gag. While some are effective, many just don't work. Part of the blame goes on the cast, Elliot Gould is good, but Donald Sutherland can't deliver. Sally Kellerman seems torn between wanting to play her role straight or overreact to everything.
Overall, Catch-22 knows what it is, MASH doesn't. 2 out of 5 stars.