I first saw Robert Altman's Nashville when I was 19-20 years old, during it's rounds in the cheap theaters. I remember it impacting me but then promptly forgetting the details, but never forgetting the impact. I saw it again when I was perhaps 30, and my wife at the time fell asleep halfway through it. But again remembering the impact if not the details. A few weeks ago I purchased the new DVD release, and I've watched it three times and all I can think about is watching it again. At the age of 43, I am even more in awe of this film than ever. The other commentary here is full of superlatives, all of which I concur with - so I will have to say something about it's special impact on me. You see, I find myself growing to love all these characters in the film, for their imperfections and their human-ness. It is said truth is stranger than fiction, but the truth of the entirely fictitious Nashville is remarkably close to the real thing. How can anyone forget scenes like Keith Carradine listening to his own songs while making love to a different woman in each scene... and on the phone to the next before she is even dressed and out the door? How can anyone forget the frail Ronnie Blakley singing "In The Garden" from her wheelchair in the hospital chapel? Or Keenan Wynn's silent reaction to news of his wife's death? I am still amazed at how much can be told about the soul of a character in just a few minutes of screen time. Like Kenny, the angry young drifter who seems aimless yet befriends the lonely Keenan Wynn character. Barbara Jean telling her life's story in just a few precious minutes while her frustrated band aborts for the third time, before being hustled offstage by her type-A husband. I am even starting to love the songs, many of which were written by the performers themselves - one stroke of genius of many by Robert Altman to induce each actor to perform from the heart. I truly feel sorry for the reviewer who walked out halfway through this movie. If you watch for the first time, pay attention... and look for the first mention of the word "Parthenon"! Then you will want to go back and watch the first half again, when it's over. I recommend watching it alone, with no distractions. There is no movie like Nashville -- it could be a little bit of American Graffiti, a little bit of Forest Gump, and even a little bit of Mad Mad Mad Mad World. But mostly it's like nothing else. Robert Altman was recently quoted as saying this movie "just happened". Thank you Mr. Altman, for letting it happen.
Review of Nashville
