A huge disappointment

Rating: 4/10 (4 June 2009)

I knew that the movie had a much harder edge to it than the TV series, but I was not prepared for the disappointment I endured when I finally saw the movie. Over and over I kept saying to myself "THIS is the classic I've heard such rave reviews about?" As so many others have noted, the movie displays a wide streak of misogyny, the main characters are supremely smug and unlikable, no plot to speak of, the endless football game is silly and belongs in another movie, the film itself is grainy and difficult to watch, and in general the movie carries a very ugly and mean-spirited tone. However I would be willing to overlook all those flaws if the movie made me laugh. But it didn't. Not even once.
I look at MASH as a product of its times. In the context of 1970 and the Vietnam War it was an audacious statement and by most accounts was a groundbreaking film. But audacity alone does not make for a good film, and when viewed today MASH seems dated and a bit ridiculous.