Kansas City Movie Review 1995

Altman mixes music, politics, crime and the movies in this bittersweet homage to his hometown, set in the jazz-driven 1930s. Star-struck, tough-talking Blondie (Leigh) kidnaps Carolyn Stilton (Richardson), a self-sedating wife of a political shaker (Murphy), in a hair-brained scheme to save her husband from a local mobster (Belafonte). Styled to imitate the brilliant jazz scores played by the likes of Joshua Redman and James Carter, the action can become a bit confusing and Leigh is beyond irritating with her derivative dame routine. Belafonte, however, is brilliant, relishing the part of the legendary Seldom Seen, a real-life K.C. gangster.

Distribution

New Line Home Video, 116 N. Robertson Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90048, Phone: (310)854-5811, Fax: (310)854-1824, URL: http://www.newline.com, Remarks: Does not handle retail queries from consumers; contact your local video distributor.

Available on VHS
Running time 110 minutes.

Cast and Crew

Genres

Crime Drama, African America, Great Depression, Organized Crime, Politics, Kidnapped!, Jazz & Blues, Producers: Robert Altman, Jazz & Blues

Screenplay

Frank Barhydt, Robert Altman

Cast

Jennifer Jason Leigh, Miranda Richardson, Harry Belafonte, Michael Murphy, Dermot Mulroney, Steve Buscemi, Brooke Smith, Jane Adams

Cinematography

Oliver Stapleton

Director

Robert Altman

Music

Hal Willner

Producer

Robert Altman, David C. Thomas, Matthew Seig, Scott Bushnell, Sandcastle 5 Productions, CIBY 2000, Fine Line Features

Awards

N.Y. Film Critics 1996: Support. Actor (Belafonte).