Basements is the title for the omnibus film that brings together two plays by Harold Pinter – The Dumb Waiter and The Room – each, once again, set in a single location.
Acting
Linda Hunt's Rose is a masterclass in barely contained hysteria.
Direction
Altman refuses to open up the plays — he leans into the trap.
Writing
Pinter's pauses hit harder than most films' explosions.
Director
Robert Altman
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Annie Lennox's acting debut — she took the role because she loved Pinter's work, not for film career ambitions.
Altman filmed this for British TV after being rejected by Hollywood; it's his most deliberately uncinematic work, which makes it fascinating.
CA
US
