-Countdown marks the dawn of my journey through Robert Altman’s filmography-
After finishing Christopher Nolan’s brilliant filmography, I wanted to experience a notable American director that influenced the early work of my all time favorite filmmaker— Paul Thomas Anderson.
Many other major PTA fans note Robert Altman as one of his biggest directorial influences, especially on his early works such as Boogie Nights and Magnolia. Which, for anyone who knows me, knows those are my two favorite films as of right now.
———
**Review:
**Countdown is a low budget reflection of America during the space race, which to be frank, Im not educated about. As an early project for Robert Altman, deciding to direct this meant surrendering most of his control and creativity to Warner Bros. The unavoidable technical flaws, lackluster plot, and minimal character development left me feeling majorly underwhelmed by my first Altman viewing experience. However, not giving the film any credit would be a dishonor to any director being micromanaged in their early career.
The score is rather solid, and for its time, builds demanding suspense that elevates scenes that aren’t visually prominent. Leonard Rosenman, the composer, created a sci-fi feel that really honors Altmans naturalistic approach for the yet to happen moon landing. Rosenman’s score really provides the feeling of racing another country to the moon that I think Altman missed a bit with his direction.
The primary cast is small compared to later Robert Altman films, especially considering some consider him the master of the ensemble cast. With Countdown we see some remarkable casting, that in my opinion flies a bit under most film fans radars. I’m not quite sure why the film feels a bit lifeless, but I’m confident that the acting is not at fault.
Standout Roles:
-James Cann is great as Lee Stegler. His dynamic performances brings a lot of expression to a character with little depth.
-Robert Duvall as Chiz is crucial to the film in my humble opinion. It’s hard to put into words, but Duvalls voice perfectly matches my mental image of a Space Misson Commander. Chiz as a whole has the most depth of any character in Countdown, while also balancing a complex on screen relationship with Lee. (The man who took his job, yet who he must nurture into space)
Overall, Countdown is a forgettable film and an unfaithful introduction to Robert Altman due to his lack of creative freedom. However, I think outside of the low budget, little substance technical production that feels flawed at times; Countdown’s not nearly as bad as many Altman fans make it out to be. It’s been 60 undoubtably rough years of aging; yet there still a lot well done for such an early career Altman film.
Pretty crazy that 2001: A Space Odyssey came out a year after this, they aren’t even comparable films.
56
-Countdown marks the dawn of my journey through Robert Altman’s filmography-
After finishing Christopher Nolan’s brilliant filmography, I wanted to experience a notable American director that influenced the early work of my all time favorite filmmaker— Paul Thomas Anderson.
Many other major PTA fans note Robert Altman as one of his biggest directorial influences, especially on his early works such as Boogie Nights and Magnolia. Which, for anyone who knows me, knows those are my two favorite films as of right now.
———
**Review:
**Countdown is a low budget reflection of America during the space race, which to be frank, Im not educated about. As an early project for Robert Altman, deciding to direct this meant surrendering most of his control and creativity to Warner Bros. The unavoidable technical flaws, lackluster plot, and minimal character development left me feeling majorly underwhelmed by my first Altman viewing experience. However, not giving the film any credit would be a dishonor to any director being micromanaged in their early career.
The score is rather solid, and for its time, builds demanding suspense that elevates scenes that aren’t visually prominent. Leonard Rosenman, the composer, created a sci-fi feel that really honors Altmans naturalistic approach for the yet to happen moon landing. Rosenman’s score really provides the feeling of racing another country to the moon that I think Altman missed a bit with his direction.
The primary cast is small compared to later Robert Altman films, especially considering some consider him the master of the ensemble cast. With Countdown we see some remarkable casting, that in my opinion flies a bit under most film fans radars. I’m not quite sure why the film feels a bit lifeless, but I’m confident that the acting is not at fault.
Standout Roles:
-James Cann is great as Lee Stegler. His dynamic performances brings a lot of expression to a character with little depth.
-Robert Duvall as Chiz is crucial to the film in my humble opinion. It’s hard to put into words, but Duvalls voice perfectly matches my mental image of a Space Misson Commander. Chiz as a whole has the most depth of any character in Countdown, while also balancing a complex on screen relationship with Lee. (The man who took his job, yet who he must nurture into space)
Overall, Countdown is a forgettable film and an unfaithful introduction to Robert Altman due to his lack of creative freedom. However, I think outside of the low budget, little substance technical production that feels flawed at times; Countdown’s not nearly as bad as many Altman fans make it out to be. It’s been 60 undoubtably rough years of aging; yet there still a lot well done for such an early career Altman film.
Pretty crazy that 2001: A Space Odyssey came out a year after this, they aren’t even comparable films.
56
