Robert Altman has many signature film techniques, at least from what I have seen in the three movie we watched in class, one technique of his was having the closing scene not only wrap up the story up like most movies but his ending leave the viewers feeling content but also starving for more detail. This was the case in all three movies the long goodbye, the player, and Nashville. In the long Goodbye we get the information we have been waiting for but at the same time we get a new insight or a new side of Elliot Gould’s character, with him killing the man he had been standing up for the whole time.
In the player we get a little twist too, Altman really makes you think there is nothing left in the film then the phone rings and the pitch is thrown for a movie about a producer that kills a director and everyone’s hearts skips a beat. Even though the phone call doesn’t faze anyone it kind of unofficially reviews the whole plot right before we see the fairy tale ending for the biggest jerk in the world.
Lastly in Nashville the closing scene is crucial and really brings the movie full circle while having the first attempt at revealing any sort of plot. Barbara jean is assassinated which is devastating to a lot of people but at the same time a relief because she was bursting at the seams, we also see other characters realize there destiny all in this short few minutes.
While each Altman film has its own personality and has different techniques used I think the endings that Altman uses are great and really add to the whole film despite the fact they are only a few minutes long. The viewer feels satisfied but not completely informed.