Nashville Dual Format Release Review

4 Stars of life in Nashville 1975 style.

From the mighty director Robert Altman, (The Long Goodbye, Mash, Gosford Park) comes the tale of five days in the heart of country music, Nashville.

Where those who aspire to be famous in the Grand Ole Opry must travel to and those that already have it must maintain it.

Set at the time when the Vietnam War is still in the minds of all America and with the strong overtones of a new governmental election campaign (Hal Philip Walker), we see a van with megaphones and the unseen speaker giving a speech for the “Replacement Party”. As Country singing star Henry Gibson (Haven Hamilton, Blues Brothers) tries to lay down his latest single in the recording studio, he is never quite satisfied with other peoples efforts.

The people in the background like Delbert Reese, (Ned Beatty, Deliverance) are trying to hold it all together, as the stars are flaky, as is Barbara Jean. (Ronee Blakley, The Driver) She’s a massive star but she isn’t functioning quite right, her body as frail as her mind. Delbert’s wife Linnea spends her time teaching her two young children sign language and avoiding the young handsome Tom (Keith Caradine, The Long Riders), who repeatedly phones her and tries to get her to meet him.

All the while all the main events are being recorded by BBC reporter Opal (Geraldine Chaplin, Doctor Zhivago), who also has a liaison with Tom along with a few others.

All this is held together with country songs either written by themselves or especially for them to perform and it is great as you see how people interact with one another as the camera tries to ‘listen’ in on four conversations that are going on in a room. Which leads to all the characters coming together in a climactic ending.

With great performances from great actors and actresses you are in for a treat, especially if you’re into country music, as well as Elliot Gould (Oceans Eleven) as himself and Jeff Goldblum, (Independence Day ID4) the tricycleman.

Now presented in 1080p with special 2nd disk with two interviews with Mr Altman and Joan Tewkesbury, also Michael Murphy, as well as the original trailer (this is where you see how much it has been cleaned up).

But don’t forget.

Some Dreams do come True.

Even if it is in the most strange of circumstances.

#80 in the Masters of Cinema series, a great one to add to your collection.