California Split
by Robert Altman
Our Price: $29.99
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $22.49 (click here)
Category: DVD
See more DVD releases
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
DVD Cover Information
Actor: Ann Prentiss, Edward Walsh, Elliott Gould, George Segal, Gwen WellesDirector: Robert Altman
DVD: Region Code 99
Audio: English (Subtitled); English (Original Language)
Format: Color, DVD-Video, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
Picture Format: 2.35:1
Running Time: 105 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2004-11-02
Audience Rating: R (Restricted)
Studio: Sony Pictures
Movie Reviews of California Split
Movie Review: The Stuff That Dreams Are Made Of, Part III
Summary: 4 Stars
Okay, to keep things straight Dashiell Hammet's Maltese Falcon was Part I, John Huston's Treasure of the Sierra Madre was Part II, and here with Robert Altman's California Split we have Part III of the age old dream of humankind to get rich without having to work, or do much of it. Or is there something else that also holds life (and these films together)? The business at hand in each case is the quest- for the damn bird in Maltese, the damn pot of gold in Treasure or the damn gambling jackpot for our two friends here. The end of this film, fittingly in its own way, tells it all.
After finishing up on a winning streak to end all winning streaks our duo when it is time to divvy up the cash finds there is no closure. That is the message; still it is nice to think of getting the payoff without having to work for it. After all, humankind has spend many millennia organizing itself and creating labor -saving devices for just such a condition. Except someone forgot to tell the few greed heads that this social product should be for the benefit of every one.
The early to mid 1970's was the heyday of the male `buddy' film out of Hollywood. The films of Robert Redford done with Paul Newman like The Sting and Butch Cassidy come to mind. Here Elliot Gould (as Charley) and George Segal (as Bill) two compulsive gamblers who will bet on anything at any time make a run for the roses in Reno. Along the way they get beat up, taken, and every other imaginable scenario before they get their stake for the run. Today such a scenario would include some time in a twelve step program but that is neither here nor there.
These two certainly have some chemistry working off each other's roles. Segal is the moody, enigmatic one; Gould is the classic hustler of the literary imagination. He would find congenial company in a Damon Runyon story. I might add that the so-called romance of gambling for a livelihood certainly gets a workout here. My experience at race tracks and betting parlors has not included these wholesome types. Usually, one is either desperately waiting to get the next bet down or the next stake. Not pretty in either case. But enough, see this movie.
Comedy DVD Video
DVD Video
- Action & Adventure
- African American Cinema
- Animation
- Anime & Manga
- Art House & International
- Classics
- Comedy
- Cult Movies
- Documentary
- Drama
- Educational
- Fitness & Yoga
- Gay & Lesbian
- Horror
- Kids & Family
- Military & War
- Music Video & Concerts
- Musicals & Performing Arts
- Mystery & Suspense
- Science Fiction & Fantasy
- Special Interests
- Sports
- Television
- Westerns
Movies most talked about in Mostly Overlooked, Mostly Old-School, Mostly Guy Movies - pt. deux
The Jerk (26th Anniversary Edition)JERK; Release date: 2005-07-26; DVD
Best price: $7.00
Price in other shops:
The GauntletRelease date: 1999-03-30; DVD
Best price: $3.78
Price in other shops:
Naked Lunch - Criterion CollectionRelease date: 2003-11-11; DVD
Best price: $23.00
Price in other shops:
Getting StraightSony Pictures; Release date: 1998-06-02; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $138.99
The InnocentsRelease date: 2005-09-06; DVD
Best price: $7.15
Price in other shops:
Breaker MorantImage Entertainment; Release date: 2008-01-15; DVD
Best price: $11.88
Price in other shops:
A Perfect WorldRelease date: 2002-10-01; DVD
Best price: $3.72
Price in other shops:
The Eagle Has LandedEAGLE HAS LANDED (DVD MOVIE); Release date: 2001-08-14; DVD
Best price: $4.11
Price in other shops:
The Spy Who Came in from the ColdRelease date: 2004-07-13; DVD
Best price: $4.67
Price in other shops:
North Dallas FortyTeam Marketing; Release date: 2001-01-30; DVD
Best price: $4.06
Price in other shops:
Similar DVD Movies
The Conformist (Extended Edition)Paramount; Release date: 2006-12-05; DVD
Best price: $7.46
Price in other shops:
M*A*S*H (Two-Disc Collector's Edition)SUTHERLAND,DONALD; Release date: 2006-02-07; DVD
Best price: $9.08
Price in other shops:
The Player (Special Edition) (New Line Platinum Series)Release date: 1997-07-16; DVD
Best price: $4.10
Price in other shops:
Short Cuts - Criterion CollectionImage Entertainment; Release date: 2008-10-14; DVD
Best price: $19.90
Price in other shops:
ImagesTWENTIETH CENTURY FOX HOME ENT; Release date: 2003-09-16; DVD
Best price: $4.78
Price in other shops:
Thieves Like UsTWENTIETH CENTURY FOX HOME ENT; Release date: 2007-04-17; DVD
Best price: $7.55
Price in other shops:
The GamblerRelease date: 2002-05-14; DVD
Best price: $19.98
NashvilleParamount; Release date: 2000-08-15; DVD
Best price: $4.53
Price in other shops:
McCabe & Mrs. MillerWarner Brothers; Release date: 2002-06-04; DVD
Best price: $4.52
Price in other shops:
The Long GoodbyeRelease date: 2002-09-17; DVD
Best price: $3.92
Price in other shops: