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Streamers (1983)

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Average Rating: 6.1/10
Reviews Counted: 9
Fresh: 5 | Rotten: 4

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Average Rating: N/A
Critic Reviews: 2
Fresh: 0 | Rotten: 2

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Average Rating: 3.2/5
User Ratings: 294

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Movie Info

Based on the virulently antimilitary play by David Rabe, Streamers is set in a basic-training barracks. Matthew Modine is among the raw recruits who alternate between strutting around like bantam cocks to snivelling like frightened children. To test one another's manhood, the recruits indulge in violent physical and verbal game playing. Special attention is given those whose skin color or outlook on life is at odds with the "standards" of the group. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

R, 1 hr. 58 min.

Drama

Directed By: Robert Altman

In Theaters: Oct 9, 1983 Wide

On DVD: Jan 19, 2010

Cast

Matthew Modine
Billy
Michael Wright
Carlyle
Mitchell Lichtenstein
Richie
David Alan Grier
Roger
Albert Macklin
Martin
Guy Boyd
Rooney
George Dzundza
Sgt. Cokes
Bill Allen
Lt. Townsend
Paul Lazar
MP Lieutenant
Phil Ward
MP Sgt. Kilick

Critic Reviews for Streamers

All Critics (12) | Top Critics (3) | Fresh (6) | Rotten (5) | DVD (7)

It 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.

August 30, 2004 Full Review Source: New York Times

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Vincent Canby

New York Times

Top Critic

Sure it's searing and intense, but so is a microwave oven.

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: Chicago Reader

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Dave Kehr

Chicago Reader

Top Critic

M*A*S*H* stripped from its wise-guy veneer

April 2, 2010 Full Review Source: CinePassion

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Fernando F. Croce

CinePassion

... a different kind of filmed theater that combines the intimacy of the original play with a cinematic expressiveness.

January 18, 2010 Full Review Source: Seanax.com

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Sean Axmaker

Seanax.com

It's almost impossible to watch this... with the mindset of the time in which it was created. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing...

January 12, 2010 Full Review Source: Flick Filosopher

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MaryAnn Johanson

Flick Filosopher

Mid-level Altman from the forgotten '80s, a period that ought not to be forgotten entirely.

January 4, 2010 Full Review Source: Slant Magazine

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Andrew Schenker

Slant Magazine

What elevates the film above a dated topical discussion is Altman's imagining of the army barracks as a hothouse environment where tensions and fears play out in oddly manic outbursts%u2014and his direction of his actors accordingly.

January 4, 2010 Full Review Source: Slant Magazine

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Andrew Schenker

Slant Magazine

The ensemble cast comes up smart with some fine spontaneous performances.

October 24, 2005 Full Review Source: Ozus' World Movie Reviews

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Dennis Schwartz

Ozus' World Movie Reviews

Conveys the toxic effects of the Vietnam war

July 23, 2003 Full Review Source: Spirituality and Practice

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Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat

Spirituality and Practice

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Audience Reviews for Streamers

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The string of films Robert Altman made during the 1980s ("Come Back to the Five and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean," "Secret Honor," "Fool for Love," "Beyond Therapy") were all adaptations of stage plays. Altman attempted to blur the line between stage and screen by sticking almost exactly to the staging, sets, dialogue

May 12, 2011

Steven Carrier

Super Reviewer

I really didn't know what to think of the film. Other than the fact that it is a very effective drama. However, it was all over the place and I got dizzy trying to keep up with all the different plots. The acting was good but sadly this is not one of Robert Altman's best movies.

April 30, 2011