Streamers(film)

For other uses, seeStreamer.

Streamers
Directed by	Robert Altman
Written by	David Rabe
Produced by	Robert Altman Nick J. Mileti
Starring	Matthew Modine Michael Wright Mitchell Lichtenstein David Allen Grier
Cinematography	Pierre Mignot
Edited by	Norman Smith
Distributed by	United Artists Classics(United States and Canada) Manson International(International)
Release date	September 5, 1983(1983-09-05)
Running time	118 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$2 million
Box office	$378,452

Streamersis a 1983 American film adapted byDavid Rabefrom hisplay of the same name.The film was directed byRobert Altmanand produced by Robert Michael Geisler and John Roberdeau, who later producedThe Thin Red Line.The cast includesDavid Alan Grieras Roger,Mitchell Lichtensteinas Richie,Matthew Modineas Billy,Michael Wrightas Carlyle,George Dzundzaas Cokes, andGuy Boydas Rooney.

The entire cast was named Best Actor at theVenice Film Festival.The film was screenedout of competitionat the1983 Cannes Film Festival.

Premise

In 1965, four young soldiers waiting to be shipped toVietnamdeal with racial tension and their own intolerance when one soldier reveals he is gay.

Cast

• Matthew Modine- Billy
• Michael Wright- Carlyle
• Mitchell Lichtenstein- Richie
• David Alan Grier- Roger
• Guy Boyd- Rooney
• George Dzundza- Cokes
• Albert Macklin- Martin
• B. J. Cleveland - Pfc. Bush
• Bill Allen- Lt. Townsend
• Paul Lazar - MP Lieutenant
• Phil Ward - MP Sgt. Kilick
• Terry McIlvain - Orderly
• Todd Savell - MP Sgt. Savio
• Mark Fickert - Dr. Banes
• Dustye Winniford - Staff Sergeant

Production

Altman financed the film himself without a distribution deal, which allowed him to cast an ensemble of experienced but relatively unknown actors rather than rely on a bankable star as studios typically demanded.The film was shot inDallasin 18 days.

Release

On June 27, 1983,Nick Mileti's International Distributors, Inc. acquired worldwide rights toStreamersfor $3 million following three months of negotiations. DespiteCinecom,with whom Altman had a three-pictute deal, looking to acquire domestic rights, they ultimately went toUnited Artists Classicsin September 1983. A week later, shortly before the film's premiere at Toronto,Manson Internationalacquired "worldwide licensing rights" to the film.

Streamerspremiered at theToronto International Film Festivalon September 16, 1983. The film was later released ontoDVDbyShout! Factoryon January 19, 2010.

Reception

Roger Ebertgave the film four stars out of four, calling it "one of the most intense and intimate dramas I've ever seen on film," adding, "Watching this film is such a demanding experience that both times I've seen it, it has been too much for some viewers, and they've left. Those who stay, who survive the difficult passages of violence, will find at the end of the film a conclusion that is so poetic and moving it succeeds in placing the tragedy in perspective."Gene Siskelawarded three-and-a-half stars out of fourand called it "a powerful piece of American theater made even more striking on screen," declaring that it also "represents the return of Altman the director, for here is a play one could hand to a dozen directors and you would not see a better, more personal work."Vincent CanbyofThe New York Timeswas less positive, writing that the film "goes partway toward realizing the full effect of a stage play as a film, then botches the job by the overabundant use of film techniques, which dismember what should be an ensemble performance."Sheila Bensonof theLos Angeles Timescalled the film "a punishing place to be in, but a brilliant and thought-provoking movie experience."Jack KrollofNewsweekwrote, "Altman sends his camera into the barracks like an invisible eavesdropper, appalled at what he sees but insisting on seeing it with punishing clarity. The nonstar cast is tremendous, especially Wright as the soldier who triggers a civil war within this troubled Army of a troubled society."

External links

• StreamersatIMDb
• StreamersatBox Office Mojo
• StreamersatRotten Tomatoes