Cohen's music captures for me a period around 1970 when such sentiments were the soundtrack of the counter culture. It was a time when the poet-folksingers had their fingers on the pulse of a generation. There's yearning, sadness, and innocence. Altman's film dramatizes what happened to all that - and how fragile those times were.
Ron, I first saw this film in the 1980's and again a few days ago. Everything you said is true, however, I don't see this film as counter culture today. But I do get why it was originally called by Altman an "anti-western film. He stated (Wikipedia here) "because the film ignores or subverts a number of Western conventions."
It's hard to go wrong with Leonard Cohen.
ReplyDeleteForget Nashville or MASH, McCabe & Mrs. Miller is my favorite Altman film. And Cohen's voice is the voice of God.
ReplyDeleteI agree, Dan. And its stature has only grown in recent years.
ReplyDeleteCohen's music captures for me a period around 1970 when such sentiments were the soundtrack of the counter culture. It was a time when the poet-folksingers had their fingers on the pulse of a generation. There's yearning, sadness, and innocence. Altman's film dramatizes what happened to all that - and how fragile those times were.
ReplyDeleteRon, I first saw this film in the 1980's and again a few days ago. Everything you said is true, however, I don't see this film as counter culture today. But I do get why it was originally called by Altman an "anti-western film. He stated (Wikipedia here) "because the film ignores or subverts a number of Western conventions."
ReplyDeleteLoved the movie, loved the soundtrack. Cohen's amazing. I haven't seen the movie since it was released. Time to take a look again.
ReplyDeleteRob, It has held up very well. Beatty's performance, in particular, seems stronger than I remember.
ReplyDelete