An impeccable ensemble cast including Tom Waits, Tim Robbins, Chris Penn, Jack Lemmon, Andie MacDowell, Lily Tomlin and Julianne Moore give authentic life to incidental players in an ongoing melodrama that speaks loudly of the modern malaise.

| Original Score: 5/5 | Mar 16, 2024

It has the ability to generate thoughtful conversation between viewers. If you sit down and watch this with a good friend, you’ll probably both come out of it with very different observations.

| Original Score: B | Feb 7, 2023

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

It's challenging to pick just one stellar performance.

| Feb 10, 2022

A movie of Carver's work needed to show this process whereby simple acts and objects are also abstractions. Altman has shown it...

| Aug 14, 2018

Whether their characters are congenial, contemptible or just absurd, Altman gets the best from an extraordinary company.

| May 11, 2018

Worth the buy for one scene: watching a young Robert Downey, Jr. elbow-punch a couch.

| Oct 19, 2016

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.

| Apr 7, 2016

We are never made to care much about the afflicted characters because Altman doesn't and thereby the stories carry very little weight.

| Original Score: B- | Jan 22, 2012

| Original Score: A | Sep 7, 2011

The epidosic (by necessity) movie is uneven, but some of the stories are poignant and the acting always compelling

| Original Score: B | Apr 28, 2011

Performances are low key but accomplished, comedy and tragedy are delicately balanced and the whole thing has the feel of a sprawling but very absorbing soap.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Feb 27, 2008

Cool, clever and complex, Altman succeeds in bringing out the best from a highly talented cast.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Feb 27, 2008

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.

| Feb 27, 2008

The film is fascinating and complex, and benefits from a densely textured soundtrack that makes it as interesting to listen to as to watch.

| Original Score: 3.5/4 | Feb 27, 2008

Inevitably it's a mixed bag, though the film's assurance in keeping it all coherent is at times exhilarating.

| Feb 27, 2008

Not prime Altman, but weaves an interesting path due to many sub-plots.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Feb 22, 2008

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Oct 19, 2006

From the exhilarating opening, you know Altman's epic 'adaptation' of eight stories and a poem by Raymond Carver is going to be special.

| Jun 24, 2006

Altman weaves magic from Carver's character-rich material.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Oct 10, 2005