CALIFORNIA SPLIT
US, 1974, 109 minutes, Colour.
Elliott Gould, George Segal, Ann Prentiss, Gwen Welles.
Directed by Robert Altman.
California Split is a Robert Altman comedy. That does not mean many laughs, but rather wry observation of people and situations. it is about gambling. Gambling has a strange fascination: the compulsion is a mystery for non-gamblers. Altman has made his comedy about it (rather than explore the tragic consequences as in a film like Karel Reisz's, The Gambler). One reviewer called the film "inconsequentially funny" - and this is an apt way of describing the picaresque adventures of an amiable con man (Elliott Gould at his genial best) and a serious winner (George Segal). There is enjoyable support from Gwen Welles, the would-be singer from Altman's Nashville. Altman's style does not appeal to everyone, unfinished conversations, the noise and hubbub of ordinary life, the particular observations of small details and incidents; and the gambling theme is not of universal interest. But for those who are on Altman's wavelength, this is a highly entertaining observation of the American gambling world.
1. What kind of film was this, comedy, drama? The success of the film in treating gambling? To what audience would it appeal?
2. The film as a picture of America, a cross section of America? use of widescreen, colour, California and Reno locations?
3. The importance of the soundtrack? The half-heard comments, middle of conversations, the audience as participant in the action? The use of music, snatches of songs with their comment, jokes?
4. our introduction into the gambling world: the explanation of poker-playing during the credits, facts and irony? The picture of poker-playing, the world of the racecourse, betting on sports like basketball, Mexico, Reno, the kinds of card and dice games at Reno? Even the gambling about the seven dwarfs?
5. How incisive and accurate the picture of gambling people? Their backgrounds, their personalities, their moods, their wins and losses, their obsessions and devotion to gambling? Poor people, middle class, the wealthy of Reno?
6. The momentum of the narrative as regards gambling and the progressive involvement in gambling? How did this keep audience interest, create some suspense?
7. William as the central focus of the film? His serious poker-playing, his enjoyment of gambling, his friendship with Charlie and the vision he gained, the obsession with gambling and Charlie's style, his difficulties and fears, his dream and his vision of winning, his final intensity and achievement?
8. What kind of person and character was Bill? A-S first seen, his growth in his relationship with Charlie, with Barbara and Susan? Seeing him at work and his dissatisfaction, persuading people for loans, the final obsession even to the exclusion of Charlie, for winning?
9. How engaging a character was Charlie? His style, his jokes and cracks, his light-hearted approach to life, the joy of winning? of provoking people? Even to a fight, e.g., at the beginning and it culmination in the Reno toilet? The world that he lived in, easily disappearing to Mexico, relating to Barbara and Susan, telling funny stories to cheer people up, becoming a second in the drive for winning? His being excluded in some ways by Bill? How did gambling affect his personality?
10. What happened to them both during their progress in the film? The way they clicked, mutual help, Bill's independence at the end? The fact that Bill's success was based on Charlie's initiative?
11. The contribution to the film of Barbara and Susan? Their differing personalities? Their being pictured at home, as prostitutes, the humane touches of each, the importance of the incident with Helen? As a joke, as illustrating all the characters? The visit to the boxing?
12. How important were varying sequences for the impact of the film, e.g., the details of the initial poker game, the conversation between Charlie and Bill at the bar, breakfast with Barbara, Susan’s coming home, the conversation of Bill with Susan, Bill at work, the races and women at the races, the bar and Bill's trying to get a loan from the cripple, the incident with Helen, the mutual seduction of Susan and Bill and their talk about Hawaii and really being liked (the final seeing of Barbara and Susan talking together about their trip to Hawaii), the details of people at Reno & each of the games
13. What had been achieved by the end? The lack of feeling in winning? And yet the achievement? What was the future for each of the two men?
14. How particularly American was this film? In it themes of money, gambling, addiction and obsession, achievement? How good a film of its kind?
