Short cuts

Multiple-Oscar-nominated director Altman loosely but skillfully adapts nine Raymond Carver (1938-88) short stories in this sprawling and ambitious cinematic masterpiece. While changing the settings from the Pacific Northwest to suburban Los Angeles, altering a few plot details, and occasionally contriving connections among originally unrelated pieces, this adaptation faithfully captures the spirit of Carver's mostly downbeat but sometimes quirky and darkly funny tales of love, lust, jealousy, and loneliness. The film boasts an all-star cast, with Holly-wood heavyweights such as Jack Lemmon, Tim Robbins, Julianne Moore, and Robert Downey Jr. delivering convincing and memorable performances that bring Carver's characters to life. The new digital transfer looks and sounds wonderful, but the most impressive feature is the generous assortment of bonus material on the second disc, highlighted by a feature-length behind-the-scenes documentary and a filmed conversation between Altman and Robbins. VERDICT This package is a must-have for all movie buffs and Carver fans who don't already own Criterion's 2008 release. [See Trailers, LJ 9/1/16.]-Douglas King, Univ. of South Carolina Lib., Columbia © Copyright 2017. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.