I must admit this one has me a bit stunned, I think it has to do with the fact that Altman was a true one of a kind in the movie biz--and the loss of someone of his caliber is truly devastating for anyone who loves cinema. Known for his tenacious attitude and his willingness to go against the studio grain--Altman loved to fight for his movies to be made on his terms like nobody else
No matter the story or tone of any of his films--they were enjoyable both as pure entertainment, and in a more visceral way--because each one was so well made. Even if you didn't care for say, Cookie's Fortune (1999) on a story level, you still appreciate the way Altman moved the camera, or composed a shot for a particular scene. He was that good at what he did.
Altman also had a keen sense for casting his films. Take the film version of MASH for example:
Donald Sutherland and Elliot Gould fit like glove to hand--working so well together that you easily forget that they were actors playing roles. Casting Ryan Phillippe in Gosford Park was a bold move-considering who else was in the movie but Altman made it work in spades. Actors wanted to work with Altman and it showed. He felt at ease with any material--going from the whimsical adaptation of Popeye (1980-A very underrated film if you ask me) to the war drama Streamers (1983).
His best film? For me that's easy The Player from 1992: Film studio executive Griffen Mill (Tim Robbins) thinks he is being blackmailed by a writer whose script he passed on. The problem is he can't remember which script it was. The film features an all star cast and is filled with the inside stuff on Hollywood really works. A modern day classic!
He received an honorary Oscar earlier this year for " a career that has repeatedly reinvented the art form and inspired filmmakers and audiences alike."
Mr Altman will be missed and then some...
Here's Variety's obituary.
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