Short Cuts (1993)
91%RT Audience Score: 88%
Awards & Nominations: Nominated for 1 Oscar
17 wins & 19 nominations total
Short Cuts is a cinematic masterpiece that showcases Altman’s unparalleled ability to weave together multiple storylines and characters into a cohesive and captivating narrative. The film’s ensemble cast delivers outstanding performances, each bringing their unique quirks and idiosyncrasies to the screen. Altman’s direction is masterful, seamlessly transitioning between moments of humor, tragedy, and everything in between. While some may find the film’s length daunting, it is a testament to Altman’s skill that Short Cuts never feels dull or meandering. In short, Short Cuts is a must-see for anyone who appreciates intelligent, witty, and thought-provoking cinema.
Short Cuts is a film that will leave you feeling like you just went on a rollercoaster ride of emotions. With a star-studded cast and clever storytelling, Altman manages to bring out the best in each character. Plus, who wouldn’t want to see a young Robert Downey Jr. elbow-punch a couch? While some may argue that the film lacks weight, it’s hard not to get caught up in the manic energy and absurdity of it all. Overall, Short Cuts is a wild ride that’s worth taking.
Production Company(ies)
Distributor
Artificial Eye, Argentina Video Home
Release Type
Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
Bronson Caves, Bronson Canyon, Griffith Park – 4730 Crystal Springs Drive, Los Angeles, California, USA
MPAA / Certificate
Rated R for graphic sexual language, and for nudity
Year of Release
1993
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby
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Aspect ratio:2.35 : 1
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Runtime:3h 9m
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Language(s):English
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Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Oct 1, 1993 Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 17, 2007
Genre(s)
Comedy/Drama
Keyword(s)
starring Lily Tomlin, Jack Lemmon, Bruce Davison, Julianne Moore, Matthew Modine, Tom Waits, Andie MacDowell, Lyle Lovett, directed by Robert Altman, written by Robert Altman, Frank Barhydt, comedy, drama, R rating, box office gross $6.1M, reviewed by David Ansen, Owen Gleiberman, Angie Errigo, Todd McCarthy, Jonathan Rosenbaum, Geoff Andrew, Quentin Crisp, Jas Keimig, Veronica Geng, Malcolm Johnson, Cary Brokaw produced, Artificial Eye, Argentina Video Home distributed, ensemble cast, based on stories by Raymond Carver, waitress, car accident, coma, grandfather, affairs, baker, birthday cake, emotionally satisfying, funny, poignant, loosely connected characters, episodes, sound mix surround, stereo
Worldwide gross: $6,110,979
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $12,694,063
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,890
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 1,384,303
US/Canada gross: $6,110,979
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend:
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): NA
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): NA
Production budget ranking: NA
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Bruce Davison – Howard Finnigan
Julianne Moore – Marian Wyman
Matthew Modine – Dr. Ralph Wyman
Lily Tomlin – Doreen Piggot
Tom Waits – Earl Piggot
Director(s)
Robert Altman
Writer(s)
Robert Altman, Frank Barhydt
Producer(s)
Cary Brokaw
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
Nominated for 1 Oscar
17 wins & 19 nominations total
Academy Awards
Oscar Nominees
All Critics (59) | Top Critics (13) | Fresh (56) | Rotten (3)
It’s a funny/scary vision, with a manic edge — which is why, when you come down from the high of the filmmaking, you may be left with the taste of ashes in your mouth. Altman’s artistry can make you happy even when his art offers cold comfort.
April 7, 2016
David Ansen
Newsweek
TOP CRITIC
September 7, 2011 | Rating: A
Owen Gleiberman
Entertainment Weekly
TOP CRITIC
Cool, clever and complex, Altman succeeds in bringing out the best from a highly talented cast.
February 27, 2008 | Rating: 4/5
Angie Errigo
Empire Magazine
TOP CRITIC
As the grand ringmaster, it’s here that Altman passes the baton to his actors , whose behavioral insights are critical to the film’s success.
February 27, 2008
Todd McCarthy
Variety
TOP CRITIC
Inevitably it’s a mixed bag, though the film’s assurance in keeping it all coherent is at times exhilarating.
February 27, 2008
Jonathan Rosenbaum
Chicago Reader
TOP CRITIC
From the exhilarating opening, you know Altman’s epic ‘adaptation’ of eight stories and a poem by Raymond Carver is going to be special.
June 24, 2006
Geoff Andrew
Time Out
TOP CRITIC
Short Cuts is a long film, but it is not boring because the cast of characters is so numerous and the incidents so varied.
May 26, 2022
Quentin Crisp
Christopher Street
It’s challenging to pick just one stellar performance.
February 10, 2022
Jas Keimig
The Stranger (Seattle, WA)
A movie of Carver’s work needed to show this process whereby simple acts and objects are also abstractions. Altman has shown it…
August 14, 2018
Veronica Geng
The New York Review of Books
Whether their characters are congenial, contemptible or just absurd, Altman gets the best from an extraordinary company.
May 11, 2018
Malcolm Johnson
Hartford Courant
Worth the buy for one scene: watching a young Robert Downey, Jr. elbow-punch a couch.
October 19, 2016
Chase Whale
ChaseWhale.com
We are never made to care much about the afflicted characters because Altman doesn’t and thereby the stories carry very little weight.
January 22, 2012 | Rating: B-
Dennis Schwartz
Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews…
Plot
While helicopters overhead spray against a Medfly infestation a group of Los Angeles lives intersect, some casually, some to more lasting effect. Whilst they go out to concerts and jazz clubs and even have their pools cleaned, they also lie, drink, and cheat. Death itself seems never to be far away, even on a fishing trip.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
The cast of Short Cuts includes a star-studded ensemble, including Lily Tomlin, Jack Lemmon, Julianne Moore, Matthew Modine, and Tom Waits.
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