3 Women (1977) directed by Robert Altman
Right from the opening shot, I knew that this would be a film that I would like. The characters are bizarre and interesting as we go through the first half of the film trying to figure them out. The settings are also unique and compliment the unorthodox nature of the film. The reoccurring visuals of the paintings and the use of water was also another great touch as they hint towards the true nature of the happenings. All around, this had an amazing style and atmosphere and I'm curious if more of Altman's films are like this because I'd totally be down to binge his stuff if that's the case.
Looking back, obviously I still don't fully understand what I just watched or who's who and what's what, but the feelings that this dream-like story conveys are more than enough for a first taste. It doesn't have to make sense and it can be as messy as it wants as long as the conveyed ideas are interesting and successful. Now for my interpretation of the events, I look back at the first half of the film and notice how Millie felt almost nonexistent to everybody but Pinky. She was always ignored and got paid no attention, and that could still be seen as just part of her character, but there's also room to look it as though she was never physically present. Then we have the pivotal moment of the story, Pinky's suicide attempt and rebirth, and to me it seemed like she evolved after that into a younger version of Millie and what Millie used to be, or at least what Millie thrives to be like now. Meanwhile, Millie aged into being the younger version of the third woman, Willie. And all of this hints towards the 3 women being different versions of the same woman. Pinky starts off innocent and admiring Millie for her "confidence", and she later on evolves to become her at her prime, while Millie we meet her after she's already lost her touch and attractiveness that we see in late Pinky, and so she slowly becomes the older and wiser Willie. And it all goes full circle with Willie giving birth to a new innocent woman in the end.
Other things that now make more sense and feel fulfilling are for example how Millie treated Pinky in the beginning and vice versa. One detests the innocent side of hers that she's lost, while the other is admiring the strong confident woman that she wishes to be. There are also many more subtleties and details, such as the characters of the twins from the nursing home, or pieces of dialogue that at first glance seem to be throwaway lines, and this all speaks volumes to how compact this movie truly is.
There aren't many negatives or issues that I have with the film if any, since I can totally see what I'm about to say not stay a problem after a re-watch. The movie may be a little too long, and that's more apparent because of my lack of connection with the 3 women's characters. I mean it's pretty hard to attach yourself to any of them when they're so wooden and feel very distant. And while of course that works perfectly for complimenting the style and atmosphere, it is still the obstacle that stops it from being a personal favorite.
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"A film has to be a dialogue, not a monologue — a dialogue to provoke in the viewer his own thoughts, his own feelings. And if a film is a dialogue, then it’s a good film; if it’s not a dialogue, it’s a bad film."
"A film has to be a dialogue, not a monologue — a dialogue to provoke in the viewer his own thoughts, his own feelings. And if a film is a dialogue, then it’s a good film; if it’s not a dialogue, it’s a bad film."
- Michael "Gloomy Old Fart" Haneke