This is the next film in my Robert Altman deep-dive, his third film to receive a theatrical release, and his second narrative film (as The James Dean Story is just a documentary).
Sadly this film, despite being more competently directed, shot and acted (I mean with a cast including Robert Duvall, James Caan and Joanna Moore I have to expect some competency don't I), this film is quite shoddy.
I mean first off, who sends some random guy into space in 3 weeks, despite clearly not being ready for it. We see him fail some training montages and they're like 'Yeah, let's send him in, he's ready now.' The actual reason to leave Chiz out is stupid, and exists just to cause some weak tension.
On the topic of the tension, what was the point, it's there, and then they seem to make up but without any actual resolve, one minute there's tension, the next there isn't. I don't know anymore.
You know it's bad when the first half, which is only the setup for the actual space travel, is the better half, the second half feels so unbelievable and hamfisted that it takes you out of the film, and don't get me started on the ending haha, I will cut Altman some slack as it wasn't what he intended, but the ending just feels like they ran out of budget and decided, 'Who cares? It's not like anyone will see this.' Just unbelievably poor.
Oh well, at least I know it will get better from here.
