Robert Altman is an acquired taste for me.  It never fails that I either love or hate his work.  I am a firm believer in the idea that `Short Cuts' is one of the greatest films of all time, and I truly adored `The Player' and to a lesser degree `Gosford Park'.  I thought I liked `A Prairie Home Companion' until it got about halfway through and the script fell to pieces and I now practically loathe it (aside from Streep who was all kinds of superb there).  He has a very unique brand of filming (I guess I should say `had'...RIP) and that style works sometimes and then fails others.

`McCabe and Mrs. Miller', in my opinion, is one of those failings.

I know that my opinion is not the popular one, but honestly, this may be my least favorite of his work that I've seen so far.  I struggle with this and `A Prairie Home Companion'.  At least `A Prairie Home Companion' was genuinely entertaining is most parts, even if the script was utterly ridiculous come it's closing, but whatever.  Here I found myself detached and uninterested most of the time.  I liked the gritty texture to this film, but found that the grit became nothing more than surface when there is no genuine feeling attached to it.

The film tells the story of John McCabe and Constance Miller, two very different individuals with the same dreams; wealth.  Together they build a town from the ground up, and their success becomes something much bigger than either of them can truly handle.  Grounding their town in prostitution, they become quite popular, but when McCabe allows his own arrogance and stubbornness to move him to turn down a business venture he realizes that wealth does not make you infallible.

Technically, I don't like the way the film was constructed.  I don't think that Altman's style fits this type of film very well.  Altman is known for making is mere observers; taking us in and out of conversations and allowing us to come to know everyone through subtle touches.  That just doesn't work right here.  It almost gives the film a feeling incoherency that can cause one to become frustrated or even bored, wondering just why they should be watching this film.  I abhorred the use of song throughout the film as well.  I didn't feel it necessary and I felt rather haphazard.  It just didn't flow and made the film appear rather choppy.  The grittiness of the film, while welcomed by me (I love grit), was not always advantageous.  It made certain scenes hard to grasp or focus on, and while that texture complimented the subject well it didn't serve Altman's style right.

Still, as much as this film left me unimpressed, there are some facets of the film that do work.  For one, the acting on the part of both leads is really impressive.  I am not one who thinks Warren Beatty is an exceptional actor, but he really nailed McCabe, layering him with genuine emotions and a real sense of character.  Even better though was Julie Christie who balanced Miller's frailty with a hardness that was phenomenally understated.  Robert Altman also handled the films finale scenes with a brutal restraint that was very engaging.  It is one of the moments where the films grit paid off and made for a phenomenally crafted and ultimately thrilling scene.

I can't really recommend this film, but nearly everyone else here does so hey, see it and judge for yourself.  I don't think that it fits that wonderfully together, but that may just be me.  Maybe I should watch it again.  Like I said, Altman is an acquired taste, so maybe you like his style more than I do.  When he nails it he really nails it (`Short Cuts') but when he misses the mark it comes across almost sloppy with no real sense of direction.  That's how I feel about this one.
Robert Altman is an acquired taste for me. It never fails that I either love or hate his work. I am a firm believer in the idea that `Short Cuts' is one of the greatest films of all time, and I truly adored `The Player' and to a lesser degree `Gosford Park'. I thought I liked `A Prairie Home Companion' until it got about halfway through and the script fell to pieces and I now practically loathe it (aside from Streep who was all kinds of superb there). He has a very unique brand of filming (I guess I should say `had'... RIP) and that style works sometimes and then fails others. `McCabe and Mrs. Miller', in my opinion, is one of those failings. I know that my opinion is not the popular one, but honestly, this may be my least favorite of his work that I've seen so far. I struggle with this and `A Prairie Home Companion'. At least `A Prairie Home Companion' was genuinely entertaining is most parts, even if the script was utterly ridiculous come it's closing, but whatever. Here I found myself detached and uninterested most of the time. I liked the gritty texture to this film, but found that the grit became nothing more than surface when there is no genuine feeling attached to it. The film tells the story of John McCabe and Constance Miller, two very different individuals with the same dreams; wealth. Together they build a town from the ground up, and their success becomes something much bigger than either of them can truly handle. Grounding their town in prostitution, they become quite popular, but when McCabe allows his own arrogance and stubbornness to move him to turn down a business venture he realizes that wealth does not make you infallible. Technically, I don't like the way the film was constructed. I don't think that Altman's style fits this type of film very well. Altman is known for making is mere observers; taking us in and out of conversations and allowing us to come to know everyone through subtle touches. That just doesn't work right here. It almost gives the film a feeling incoherency that can cause one to become frustrated or even bored, wondering just why they should be watching this film. I abhorred the use of song throughout the film as well. I didn't feel it necessary and I felt rather haphazard. It just didn't flow and made the film appear rather choppy. The grittiness of the film, while welcomed by me (I love grit), was not always advantageous. It made certain scenes hard to grasp or focus on, and while that texture complimented the subject well it didn't serve Altman's style right. Still, as much as this film left me unimpressed, there are some facets of the film that do work. For one, the acting on the part of both leads is really impressive. I am not one who thinks Warren Beatty is an exceptional actor, but he really nailed McCabe, layering him with genuine emotions and a real sense of character. Even better though was Julie Christie who balanced Miller's frailty with a hardness that was phenomenally understated. Robert Altman also handled the films finale scenes with a brutal restraint that was very engaging. It is one of the moments where the films grit paid off and made for a phenomenally crafted and ultimately thrilling scene. I can't really recommend this film, but nearly everyone else here does so hey, see it and judge for yourself. I don't think that it fits that wonderfully together, but that may just be me. Maybe I should watch it again. Like I said, Altman is an acquired taste, so maybe you like his style more than I do. When he nails it he really nails it (`Short Cuts') but when he misses the mark it comes across almost sloppy with no real sense of direction. That's how I feel about this one.