Robert Altman's life and career contained multitudes. This father of American independent cinema left an indelible mark, not merely on the evolution of his art form, but also on the western zeitgeist. With its use of rare interviews, representative film clips, archival images, and musings from his family and most recognizable collaborators, Altman is a dynamic and heartfelt mediation on an artist whose expression, passion and appetite knew few bounds.
Editing
Jazz-rhythm cuts that mirror Altman's own chaotic genius.
Writing
Elliott Gould's unhinged anecdotes deserve their own movie.
Production
Archival gold: Altman roasting studio executives on camera.
Director
Ron Mann
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Altman originally wanted to be a fighter pilot; he only fell into filmmaking after being rejected from the Air Force.
The documentary's release in 2014 coincided with a critical reassessment of Altman's 'failure' period—films like Quintet and Health now seen as misunderstood experiments rather than disasters.
US
CA
