Looking At Robert Altman’s Cinema Through An Anti-Hollywood Perspective

Abstract

This article aims to analyze Robert Altman’s narrative and cinematic discourses as developed throughhis personal style from an anti-Hollywood perspective, by looking at two of his films: McCabe and Mrs.Miller (1971) and Nashville (1975). The article will concentrate on filmic characteristics seen in manyof Altman’s films but more prominent in these particular films. Among these characteristics, one cansee subversion of generic tropes; particularly that of the western – a genre which is associated withAmerica itself. Through the ironic subversion of narrative codes, Altman has created an anti-westerntext. While doing this, Altman often employs self-reflexive elements and open endings in order to makethe audience reflect on the values of their culture, particularly popular culture. The films, made in the1970s, come after a period of hope for society and Hollywood; while the revolutionary fervor of the 1960shad fizzled, the devastating effects of the Vietnam War were being felt throughout society. Moreover,Hollywood’s renaissance was slowly giving way to blockbusters. In the films examined, Altman engagesin a criticism of American culture by looking at masculinity, politics and show business. This criticismis laden with irony, employing an anti-Hollywood perspective, as distinguished by his auteurism.