Nashville (1975)

June 23, 2022 7:57 AM

In this acclaimed Robert Altman drama, the lives of numerous people in the Tennessee capital intersect in unpredictable ways. Delbert Reese (Ned Beatty) is a lawyer and political organizer who is having difficulties in his marriage to Linnea (Lily Tomlin), a gospel vocalist. Other performers heavily featured in this renowned ensemble production include patriotic singer Haven Hamilton (Henry Gibson), country singers Barbara Jean (Ronee Blakley) and Connie White (Karen Black), who are rivals in the city's thriving music scene.

The expansive cast also includes Keith Carradine, Geraldine Chaplin, David Arkin, Barbara Baxley, Shelley Duvall, Scott Glenn, and Barbara Harris.

Rated 92% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes. Currently available to rent in the US on various digital outlets.

Some highlights from Roger Ebert's four star (out of four) review:

Robert Altman's Nashville ...creates in the relationships of nearly two dozen characters a microcosm of who we were and what we were up to in the 1970s. It's a film about the losers and the winners, the drifters and the stars in Nashville, and the most complete expression yet of not only the genius but also the humanity of Altman, who sees people with his camera in such a way as to enlarge our own experience. Sure, it's only a movie. But after I saw it I felt more alive, I felt I understood more about people, I felt somehow wiser. It's that good a movie... watching Nashville is as easy as breathing and as hard to stop.

posted by DirtyOldTown (4 comments total)

Not only one of the best American films, but also one of the most American films, if, in a particularly 1970's way.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 8:26 AM on June 23, 2022 [2 favorites]

I haven’t watched this in ages, but it is terrific. And all the songs! And “I’m not with the media, I’m with the BBC” Opal.
posted by snofoam at 8:48 AM on June 23, 2022 [1 favorite]

I love this film, but Lily Tomlin is the most unlikely gospel singer ever— I’d love to know what the other choir members thought.
Louise Fletcher was originally cast, but couldn’t do it.
posted by Ideefixe at 1:59 PM on June 23, 2022

I've seen it just once, about 10 years ago. Engrossing. The end scene had me gobsmacked.
posted by neuron at 10:18 AM on June 26, 2022