How People Can Deal With War!

Rating: 8/10 (12 July 2014)

M.A.S.H is the 1970 smash hit that went on to inspire a long-running hit TV show for the decade thereafter. But for the most part, this film happens to be funny, even though many of the situations are not meant to be funny. But then again, that is why this is listed as a black comedy. You won't be howling in laughter, but you'll be chuckling often at the sheer ludicrosity this film manages to offer.
Robert Altman's black comedy takes place during the Korean War and is about how the staff of the army hospital embraces comedy in their everyday lives to offset the horrors of war. Led by jokesters Hawkeye and Duke, they manage to upset the balance of the camp, while effectively doing their job.
The acting is very good. Donald Sutherland shines in one of his earlier roles and is quite funny. I never noticed it before, but comedy comes so naturally to him. I guess I'm just used to his more recent movies. Elliot Gould and Tom Skerritt also do very well as Donald's cronies. Finally, I liked Robert Duvall's character. I especially liked how Hawkeye and his gang make his poor life miserable.
Overall, M.A.S.H is a pretty good comedy without trying to be much of a comedy. For people expecting a total war movie, do not even watch this film. However, this film does have a distinct anti-war message and ironically enough, this film was penned by on the Big Ten from Hollywood whom were imprisoned in the early 1950's. It's a good movie for the most part and I liked how comedy is resorted to repel the reality of war. I rate this film 8/10.