Kansas City is a bit of a slow burn, but continues to focus on crime and corruption as major themes within Robert Altmans 1990’s films. Kansas City is filled with enticing jazz music, complicated characters, crime, politics, and drugs; so, to say that embodies my film taste would be an understatement. However, Altmans wizard like ability to blend multiple genres didn’t work as well this time around for me.
The character work is diligent like always, but something felt like it was missing for me. I can’t quite put my finger on my issue with Kansas City; even after pondering on the film for quite a bit, I only have guesses. My assumption that seems closest to reality is that the acting feels like an unfortunate let down, which could just be related to Jennifer Jason Leigh being a rare Altman miscast.
68/100
***
***Full review later.
NOTES:
-I was really enticed by the two lead women’s storyline development. Through and through the undoubted strong point of the film.
- Jennifer Jason Leigh is a major miscast, and I never use that word.
- The crime storylines don’t quite tie in as well as they could, same with the political ones.
- it blends genres better than most directors, but might be a bit to ambitious in the themes it attempts to tackle.
- cinematography is good, but not as great as some other Altman projects. Costume and prop design also feel a bit uncoordinated.
- elite ending and the saving grace for my rating on this film.
-Altmans ambition sometimes bites him in the ass, this would be one of those rare times.
-there’s nothing really bad about the film, but there’s nothing really great besides the estranged connection between Blondie and Carolyn.
Kansas City is a bit of a slow burn, but continues to focus on crime and corruption as major themes within Robert Altmans 1990’s films. Kansas City is filled with enticing jazz music, complicated characters, crime, politics, and drugs; so, to say that embodies my film taste would be an understatement. However, Altmans wizard like ability to blend multiple genres didn’t work as well this time around for me.
The character work is diligent like always, but something felt like it was missing for me. I can’t quite put my finger on my issue with Kansas City; even after pondering on the film for quite a bit, I only have guesses. My assumption that seems closest to reality is that the acting feels like an unfortunate let down, which could just be related to Jennifer Jason Leigh being a rare Altman miscast.
68/100
***
***Full review later.
NOTES:
-I was really enticed by the two lead women’s storyline development. Through and through the undoubted strong point of the film.
- Jennifer Jason Leigh is a major miscast, and I never use that word.
- The crime storylines don’t quite tie in as well as they could, same with the political ones.
- it blends genres better than most directors, but might be a bit to ambitious in the themes it attempts to tackle.
- cinematography is good, but not as great as some other Altman projects. Costume and prop design also feel a bit uncoordinated.
- elite ending and the saving grace for my rating on this film.
-Altmans ambition sometimes bites him in the ass, this would be one of those rare times.
-there’s nothing really bad about the film, but there’s nothing really great besides the estranged connection between Blondie and Carolyn.
