“Ya, she’s pretty handy with the old key.”
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That Cold Day in the Park is a horrifying portrayal of loneliness. Robert Altman takes the naturalistic approach with his zooms and long shots; which even so early into his career feels so polished, yet innovative in a way. The Overwhelming Loneliness portrayed turns into a very unconventional approach to kidnapping; which to me, came off as a unique form of Possession. Altman approaches these themes seamlessly while simultaneously giving audiences his first successful project without a studio crawling down his back.
As someone who plans to watch Altmams entire filmography, it’s great to see his visual approach for That Cold Day In The Park as artistic and authentic. After just how “standard” the direction felt with Countdown (1967), it’s easy to feel refreshed by Altmans profound sense of emptiness touched on in That Cold Day In The Park.
Robert Altmans early career visual style adds tremendously to the eerie, but naturalistic feel that That Cold Day In The Park gives off. For being a film that’s a nearly neglected Altman, The camera work is remarkably underrated. Various shots through the thick glass window panes leave a disturbing, yet distant feel to the depleting loneliness portrayed here. Most of the cinematography works brilliantly for me, and already has be slightly hooked on Bob Altman as a director.
Just as Robert Altman is categorizing himself as an ambitious director, driven by naturalisms; he simultaneously is presenting a deep understanding of character studies with meticulously crafted acting casts. With That Cold Day in the Park in particular, the acting is quite commendable. The primary cast is small, but the key performances are so demanding that you wouldn’t want it any other way.
Standout Lead Roles from That Cold Day in the Park:
-Sandy Dennis as Frances Austen is eerie, but the humility built up behind her characters loneliness makes it hard to dislike her. She really just wants to be loved, which drives her to a fully explored point of insanity.
-Micheal Burns as The Boy doesn’t talk for nearly half of the run time, but his expressionistic characterization is brilliantly acted and directed. Up until we as an audience verbally learn that the boy actually can talk, his non-speaking portrayal was engaging enough. The boys early personality was expressed through music and dancing, which instantly allowed the audience, and Frances, to feel safe with him.
Standout Supporting Roles:
-Susanne Benton as Nina
-Edward Greenhalgh as The Doctor
-Luana Anders as Sylvie
The score was also fitting for an eerie thriller from 1969, which brings me to the conclusion that music is as important to Robert Altman as it is to me. When scores and soundtracks feel natural early into a directors career it’s always a major sign of promise. Thats without mentioning how brilliant That Cold Day in the Parks score is for invoking both fear and love. Overall, Robert Altman has infinite potential straight out the gate.
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73
“Ya, she’s pretty handy with the old key.”
-
That Cold Day in the Park is a horrifying portrayal of loneliness. Robert Altman takes the naturalistic approach with his zooms and long shots; which even so early into his career feels so polished, yet innovative in a way. The Overwhelming Loneliness portrayed turns into a very unconventional approach to kidnapping; which to me, came off as a unique form of Possession. Altman approaches these themes seamlessly while simultaneously giving audiences his first successful project without a studio crawling down his back.
As someone who plans to watch Altmams entire filmography, it’s great to see his visual approach for That Cold Day In The Park as artistic and authentic. After just how “standard” the direction felt with Countdown (1967), it’s easy to feel refreshed by Altmans profound sense of emptiness touched on in That Cold Day In The Park.
Robert Altmans early career visual style adds tremendously to the eerie, but naturalistic feel that That Cold Day In The Park gives off. For being a film that’s a nearly neglected Altman, The camera work is remarkably underrated. Various shots through the thick glass window panes leave a disturbing, yet distant feel to the depleting loneliness portrayed here. Most of the cinematography works brilliantly for me, and already has be slightly hooked on Bob Altman as a director.
Just as Robert Altman is categorizing himself as an ambitious director, driven by naturalisms; he simultaneously is presenting a deep understanding of character studies with meticulously crafted acting casts. With That Cold Day in the Park in particular, the acting is quite commendable. The primary cast is small, but the key performances are so demanding that you wouldn’t want it any other way.
Standout Lead Roles from That Cold Day in the Park:
-Sandy Dennis as Frances Austen is eerie, but the humility built up behind her characters loneliness makes it hard to dislike her. She really just wants to be loved, which drives her to a fully explored point of insanity.
-Micheal Burns as The Boy doesn’t talk for nearly half of the run time, but his expressionistic characterization is brilliantly acted and directed. Up until we as an audience verbally learn that the boy actually can talk, his non-speaking portrayal was engaging enough. The boys early personality was expressed through music and dancing, which instantly allowed the audience, and Frances, to feel safe with him.
Standout Supporting Roles:
-Susanne Benton as Nina
-Edward Greenhalgh as The Doctor
-Luana Anders as Sylvie
The score was also fitting for an eerie thriller from 1969, which brings me to the conclusion that music is as important to Robert Altman as it is to me. When scores and soundtracks feel natural early into a directors career it’s always a major sign of promise. Thats without mentioning how brilliant That Cold Day in the Parks score is for invoking both fear and love. Overall, Robert Altman has infinite potential straight out the gate.
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73
