Nashville

Summary

“I don’t want to get mixed up in politics.” 

Like many film lovers, I love Robert Altman movies. My favorite Robert Altman films are McCabe and Mrs. Miller, Short Cuts, M.A.S.H., The Player, and The Long Goodbye, but those are just the ones that immediately come to mind. Recently, Paramount Presents decided to bring Altman’s classic 1975 film Nashville back to Blu-ray with a new 4K scan. Criterion Collection had released the film on Blu-ray from a 2K scan in 2013, but the chance to see the film restored from a 4K scan was too good an opportunity to pass up.

I first saw the film back in college when I purchased a DVD that I had noticed sticking out of the bargain bin at Wal-Mart. I had enjoyed Altman’s film M.A.S.H. so I decided to splurge and spend $5 to see another one of his films. I liked the film immediately and was impressed by its overarching nature. My mother grew up in Nashville, and if I recall correctly it was my Aunt Becky who told me that the movie was somewhat controversial when it was released. Folks who lived in Nashville felt like the film relied too heavily on caricatures. Watching the film, I can understand that opinion, but it feels like the film was done out of a place of affection for the place and the people. There are elements of satire at work that Altman seems to be peddling as reality, and I can understand how that might have upset the city. Watching Nashville in 2021, that seems like a pretty minor offense.

The story of Nashville takes place over five days as numerous characters criss-cross throughout the capital city of Tennessee. There is a candidate running for President representing the “Replacement Party” named Hal Phillip Walker (heard in advertisements but never seen in the film) whose organizers are planning a rally in Nashville. One of his organizers, John Triplette (Michael Murphy,) is in town attempting to recruit entertainment for the event. Country superstar Connie White (Karen Black) is coming back into town to work the circuit. Beloved singer Barbara Jean (Ronee Blakley) is having a mental and physical collapse while her husband continues to try to keep her career alive. Delbert Reese (Ned Beatty) and gospel singer Linnea Reese (Lily Tomlin) have two deaf children at home. She is also cheating on him and he is aware that it is happening. Singer Tom Frank (Keith Carradine) has broken off from a folk trio and is a full time womanizer. British reporter Opal (Geraldine Chaplin) is in town to try to get to the heart of the city and report back. Vietnam veteran (Scott Glenn) has come into town to see a performer. Sueleen Gay (Gwen Welles), a waitress at a diner with a terrible voice, is vying for a shot to perform in front of a crowd. At the center of the music scene in Nashville is legendary country singer and Grand Ole Opry entertainer Haven Hamilton (Henry Gibson.) He is a patriotic holdover from the prior generation that has survived the dust bowl and numerous American wars. Over the course of a few days all of these characters and more congregate at parties, inside recording studios, on the interstate in a traffic jam, at the Grand Ole Opry, and finally at the political event as their stories unfold.

Filmed in Panavision in wide aspect ratio, Altman aimed to take in the entire city and culture of Nashville in the Seventies. I feel like he largely succeeded. Nashville is known as Music City and so much of what makes it special is its direct connection to country music. It would be impossible to make a film about Nashville at that time without featuring the Grand Ole Opry, and they managed to film at the original location of the Grand Ole Opry before it was moved. That helps to secure the film as a time capsule of a certain time and place. Altman and his team were very skilled at providing songs and performances that fit the characters. It would be hard to say if these performances were coming from actual stars from the circuit or not. The performance by Henry Gibson in particular is dynamite as Haven Hamilton. Keith Carradine’s performance is notable and included two songs that he had written which helped to sell the film in Altman’s pitch. His song “I’m Easy” was a minor hit and won the Academy Award for Best Original Song. 

DP Paul Lohmann worked tirelessly with Altman to capture as much as he could of the numerous intertwining actions onscreen. Altman used a seven track recorder to allow numerous conversations to unfold at the same time. For this to work, he asked that his actors for the most part always stay in character because there would be numerous times during big setpieces that they would not know if they were being filmed or not. The effect causes an enhanced realism to the film. At the same time, the script by Joan Tewkesbury aims to satirize certain elements of the Nashville political and social scene, so the realism doesn’t get in the way of telling an interesting story.

At the end of the day, Nashville is Altman firing on all cylinders with an extremely ambitious overarching goal. The film is long but does reward repeat viewings. It is a piece of art that is just slightly askew from reality but still reflects the interesting political climate of that time. I highly encourage checking out the film if you are a fan of Altman’s other pictures.

Video

Paramount has done an excellent job on the restoration of the film with a new 4K scan from the original elements. The prior Criterion Collection release had been presented from a 2K scan. Presented in 2.35:1 aspect ratio with an MPEG-4 AVC encode, the film looks pretty great. Altman used numerous wide angle shots to help the audience feel fully immersed in the surroundings of Nashville. There is a very fine level of grain and occasionally the grain can become apparent. This is not that uncommon on Altman films and does not detract from the overall experience. The color on the film occasionally fluctuates, but this is no it a major issue. This is a really well done presentation by Paramount!

Audio

Paramount has provided a great sounding DTS-HD MA 5.1 surround track that is more than likely the same track used on the recent Eureka release. The film is primarily dialogue focused, but the performance sequences really benefit from the 5.1 treatment. 

Supplements:

24 Tracks – Robert Altman’s Nashville – this short piece features archival interviews with Robert Altman alongside newly filmed interviews with Steven Altman who worked on the film with his father.

Commentary by Director Robert Altman

Theatrical Trailer

Overall Scores:

Video – 4.5/5

Audio – 4.5/5

Supplements – 2.5/5

Overall – 4.5/5

Nashville is one of the most universally lauded films from maverick director Robert Altman. It has aged brilliantly and still stands out as a truly unique film. The film can at times be difficult because it is so dense and panoramic in its intentions, but it rewards viewers for their patience with an understanding of a specific time and place. The performances in the film are wonderful, the songs in the film feel authentic, and the film shows Altman at the peak of his powers. As an artistic statement it is hard to argue against Nashville. The new Paramount Presents release of Nashville features an excellent looking transfer from a new 4K scan and a very well made 5.1 surround track. Fans of the film will certainly want to pick up this release, especially since the Criterion Collection release that pulled from a 2K scan has been out of print for some time. Highly recommended.