By EWAN McDONALD
(Herald rating: * * * )
Robert Altman turns his dark, satirical eye on the rich women of Dallas, Texas. They dress expensively, are perfectly groomed, drive luxury cars, shop and lunch. "Work" is their word for plastic surgery.
Richard Gere plays the good doctor, a gynaecologist who cares
about his patients, loves and is faithful to his wife, Kate (Farrah Fawcett), and two daughters. Dee Dee (Kate Hudson), is engaged; Connie (Tara Reid), is a guide at the Conspiracy Museum. She points out the "X" mark on the pavement where JFK was shot.
One day Kate goes shopping with her friends and something cracks. She wanders through the mall, stripping off her clothes and ends up in a fountain, naked. She is institutionalised. A psychiatrist explains she suffers from a syndrome affecting "affluent, upper-class women who have pretty much all they need."
When it seems that Kate will be in hospital indefinitely Dr T begins to see Bree (Helen Hunt), the new golf pro at his country club.
Because this is an Altman film, there are a lot of other major roles — Carolyn (Shelley Long), the nurse who runs Dr T's office and imagines herself as his wife; his very different daughters — and a number of interwoven storylines.
While it's not his best work, a master filmmaker shows the depth, compassion and understanding that the previous two mainstream efforts lack.
Running time: 122 mins
Rental: Today
