Review Fix Exclusive: Bob Balaban Talks ‘Altman’

When legendary filmmaker Robert Altman passed in 2006, he left behind a library of 41 films he had directed—and every single one he made with a burning passion and no compromise attitude, much to the dismay of many studio executives.

A true auteur.

He made films to the beat of his own drum and that is chronicled in the Ron Mann directed documentary, “Altman.”

“Altman” chronicles the highs and lows of Altman’s career through interviews, narration of his wife Kathryn Reed Altman and his children, and many of Altman’s collaborator’s describing what they believe is “Altmanesque.”

The documentary, which is on Epix, is as Altman’s “Gosford Park” star Bob Balaban puts it, “invaluable,” for anyone that enjoyed his films.

“To understand in some real way the way his mind, his heart and heart and soul was operating—then seeing the movies right up close to it and hearing him talking it’s kind of like going to college I think,” continued Balaban.

“I think Ron Mann has done an exceptionally job,” said Kathryn Reed Altman. “I think it depicts his life perfectly. I just hope everybody enjoys and get to know more about him. I’m proud of it, I’m really proud of it, my children are proud of it.”

The film intercuts scenes from his movies with home movies, giving audience members a peek behind the curtain of Robert Altman’s life. A life that built a versatile filmography that although different, all the same.

“He never did the same thing twice you know. He really enjoyed whole new circumstances,” said Kathryn Reed Altman. “Everyone is different yet they were really all the same in a lot of ways because it had the whole Altman thread through.”

On the outside looking in Robert Altman may have seemed like a maverick.

Altman was a director who did not fall into the conventions of Hollywood—even after the monster success of “M.A.S.H.” he earned a reputation as someone who wasn’t in it for the money or to please executives, but to craft films he enjoyed and work with those he loved.

“The Hollywood movie-making machinery always tried to take him over in some way—he couldn’t wouldn’t—I mean he wasn’t capable of doing that,” said Balaban. “The pleasure that he got of watching interesting human beings and interesting characters—that’s the reason for all of his movies, to live with people that he liked.”

A sentiment echoed throughout “Altman” and was mirrored by his illustrious film and TV career.

Moviegoers will remember the “M.A.S.H.,” “The Long Goodbye” and “Gosford Park,” but the documentary also acts a journey of discovery in terms of the director’s lesser-known projects. It brings you down the rabbit hole and forces you to place every Altman film you can find in your instant queue.

“Everybody knows ‘M.A.S.H’ existed and many other movies in between that, ‘Gosford Park’ and ‘Nashville,’ the ones that got more mass popularity—but I think a lot of his movies will be hidden treasures for people,” said Balaban.

The documentary is now on Epix, but will see theatrical release all across the world—a program will also tour Robert Altman’s films to show off some of the many classics he crafted.

With all this extra attention surrounding Robert Altman, his wife only has one wish pertaining the documentary, “I just hope everybody enjoys and get to know more about him.”