Robert Altman's QUINTET is a stark, ambiguous thriller that reveals itself slowly. The setting is a frozen landscape in a futuristic world that is nearing extinction. Stripped of hobbies and creative outlets, the city's inhabitants turn to an elaborate game called "Quintet" in which the... [More]

Robert Altman's QUINTET is a stark, ambiguous thriller that reveals itself slowly. The setting is a frozen landscape in a futuristic world that is nearing extinction. Stripped of hobbies and creative outlets, the city's inhabitants turn to an elaborate game called "Quintet" in which the participants battle each other to remain alive. When Essex (Paul Newman), a seal hunter from the south arrives in search of his brother, he finds himself thrust in the middle of a new game. He assumes the identity of a murdered player, Redstone, in order to investigate the killing of his brother and his hunting partner's pregnant daughter Vivia (Brigitte Fossey). A mysterious cast of characters--including Ambrosia (Bibi Andersson), St. Christopher (Vittorio Gassman), Dueca (Nina Van Pallandt), and Grigor (Fernando Rey)--gradually exposes its less-than-noble intentions to Essex. As he uncovers clues that will help him solve the mystery, he must also face his own impending extinction. An icy, desolate visual presentation and an eerie score by Tom Pierson make for a haunting, moody film that stands as one of director Robert Altman's most enigmatic works. [Less]