MASH (1970)
MASH (1970)
Now my fellow readers, we have moved into a
new decade of film- a very memorable decade because many influential movies
were introduced to the public. Many of these movies had something to say. This
is my first review from the 1970’s-the review of M.A.S.H which is
about staying sane in the heat of war. The film came out when things were going
downhill in Vietnam. People hated the involvement in the Vietnam War, but this
movie was so successful despite the setting in 1951 during the Korean War. How
could it be so successful? Well it was a funny and subversive movie and it was
unlike any war picture people have seen. The adventures of Hawkeye Pierce and
Duke Forrest stayed in the minds of many Americans and later on, it inspired a
very popular television series off the title name. As for me, I found some
moments to be uproariously hilarious, but I found other moments to be somewhat
dull.
The movie had somewhat of a problematic
production largely due to the tension between the director and his cast. Robert
Altman, who would turn out to be one of America’s most influential directors,
was new to the world of film. He filmed in the movie in an unconventional way,
and it bothered the cast so much that rumors say that actors Donald Sutherland
and Elliot Gould were trying to get the director fired. The director has been
known to turn down projects because of lack of quality, so he wanted to make
the films the way he wanted to make them. This film was different and it raised
the eyebrows of the studio, 20th Century Fox. The film lacked a central
narrative and it tells the story in somewhat of an episodic way, which was
rarely seen those days. The studio believed they had a disaster on their hands,
but luckily they were wrong.
Altman’s film takes place in November of 1951.
The 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital is ready to be surprised when Captain
Hawkeye Pierce (Donald Sutherland) and Captain Duke Forrest arrive (Tom
Skerritt.) Their duo of merry surgeons are joined by Trapper John McIntyre
(Elliot Gould). They were all great surgeons, but terrible soldiers (in a good,
funny way.) They deal with the effects of war by pretending they don’t care.
They use comedy in their lives to set their minds on other things that affects
the camp in one way or the other. They pull of stunts such as getting rid of
the really stupid Major Burns (Robert Duvall) after his “public” affair with
“Hot Lips” O’Houlihan (Sally Kellerman). They help the camp dentist commit
suicide (which actually is the best scene of the movie in my book.)
It took me awhile to warm up to them, but I
liked the performances of the film. The characters are rather interesting. When
not in the surgeon room operating, they run around the camp making fun of other
people. But they show a contrast when in the operating room. They are covered
in blood, and they look so realistic performing such operations like sawing off
a leg or closing up arteries and using such words related to their medical
profession. Seeing the contrast between the two sides was very interesting. It
shows they are serious when it comes to their job of saving lives, but in
general are just goofballs. Donald Sutherland does a great job as the leader of
the gang and Elliot Gould and Tom Skerritt likewise turn in good, fun
performances. I also found Robert Duvall’s brief performance as the idiotic
Major Burns was a hoot to watch.
The music in the film is also memorable. I
liked the song that played at the beginning of the movie, “Suicide Is
Painless,” which was written by a 15-year-old apparently. But that song would
become the main theme song for the television series. It continued the trend of
using pop ballads in feature films introduced several years previously, but
it’s a song that I found very enjoyable.
So just remember, the film uses dark comedy in
the face of war. This movie may not be for everybody. I really didn’t care much
to see it at first because the tone turned me off, but it’s not a bad little
film. The scene where they are helping the dentist commit suicide is a classic
scene. The scene reminded me of the classic Leonardo Da Vinci’s painting “The
Last Supper.” If you saw the film, you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about.
In the beginning, where they are giving hell to Major Burns was also very
entertaining. I couldn’t stop laughing when they got Major Burns and Hot Lips
making love over the camp’s loudspeakers. Just a brilliant scene. Also the use
of those very loudspeakers were a main part of the story, and a plot novice
according to Altman. These random (but often funny) loudspeaker announcements
helped connect the “episodes” in the film.
I had some issues with the film. I liked the
loudspeaker announcements, but I felt it gave the film a choppy look and that
it wasn’t edited that well. Also, the final act of the film is focused on a
football game against a general. The football game itself was well-done, but I
felt it ruined the tone of the film. It didn’t fit with the first two-thirds of
the movie. The game was meant to be funny, but the funny references are what
only true football fans will get. I like the sport, but I wouldn’t call myself
a fan so some of these references went over my head.
That being said, I rather enjoyed M.A.S.H. It is a different kind of war movie and I
applaud the efforts of Robert Altman to bring his vision to screen. He
didn’t even use the screenplay written by Ring Lardner Jr. which actually went
on to win an Oscar for best adapted screenplay.
It was nominated for four Oscars including Picture and Director. The
performances are genuinely funny because of the characters and the situations
they get themselves into. The movie took a bold move in portraying the
story and it worked out. It shows there can be lightness during dark times. But
the dark comedy, while very hilarious at times can be a little offensive. It is
a good movie, and I can respect the kind of film it wanted to be.
My Grade: B
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