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Short Cuts

Play trailer Poster for Short Cuts R,  1993,  3h 9m,  Comedy/ Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist 95% 58 Reviews Tomatometer 88% 10,000+ Ratings Popcornmeter
95% Tomatometer 58 Reviews 88% Popcornmeter 10,000+ Ratings
Many loosely connected characters cross paths in this film, based on the stories of Raymond Carver. Waitress Doreen Piggot (Lily Tomlin) accidentally runs into a boy with her car. Soon after walking away, the child lapses into a coma. While at the hospital, the boy's grandfather (Jack Lemmon) tells his son, Howard (Bruce Davison), about his past affairs. Meanwhile, a baker (Lyle Lovett) starts harassing the family when they fail to pick up the boy's birthday cake.
Short Cuts

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Robert Altman's ensemble drama deftly integrates its disparate characters and episodes into a funny, poignant, emotionally satisfying whole.

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Critics Reviews

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David Ansen Newsweek Apr 7, 2016
It's a funny/scary vision, with a manic edge -- which is why, when you come down from the high of the filmmaking, you may be left with the taste of ashes in your mouth. Altman's artistry can make you happy even when his art offers cold comfort. Go to Full Review
Angie Errigo Empire Magazine Feb 27, 2008
4/5
Cool, clever and complex, Altman succeeds in bringing out the best from a highly talented cast. Go to Full Review
Todd McCarthy Variety Feb 27, 2008
As the grand ringmaster, it's here that Altman passes the baton to his actors , whose behavioral insights are critical to the film's success. Go to Full Review
Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Nov 16, 2025
4/4
Rarely has a slice-of-life film been so delicious to consume. Go to Full Review
Andrew Collins Radio Times Mar 16, 2024
5/5
An impeccable ensemble cast including Tom Waits, Tim Robbins, Chris Penn, Jack Lemmon, Andie MacDowell, Lily Tomlin and Julianne Moore give authentic life to incidental players in an ongoing melodrama that speaks loudly of the modern malaise. Go to Full Review
Zita Short InSession Film Feb 7, 2023
B
It has the ability to generate thoughtful conversation between viewers. If you sit down and watch this with a good friend, you’ll probably both come out of it with very different observations. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Leia L Sep 21, 2018 Shortcuts is a typical Altman film featuring all of his traits that have become so famous in time. Robert Altman was a master director and it is great that with the advent of the internet the new generation can know and watch films of his that they would never have gotten an opportunity otherwise. Short cuts, much like most of his films is an ensemble piece featuring top notch actors playing distinct characters in the city of Los Angeles. All are connected- some literally, all thematically. This is a great piece by a master and it inspired many filmmakers, among others PT Anderson. Go watch it now. See more
George P Jun 29, 2018 Great cast and stories, a little campy.
Han P Jun 26, 2018 Robert Altman was a master director and it is great that with the advent of the internet the new generation can know and watch films of his that they would never have gotten an opportunity otherwise. Short cuts, much like most of his films is an ensemble piece featuring top notch actors playing distinct characters in the city of Los Angeles. All are connected- some literally, all thematically. This is a great piece by a master and it inspired many filmmakers, among others PT Anderson. Go watch it now. See more
Han S Sep 25, 2017 Very interesting to see this for the very first time, 25 years after it was made. All the nastalgia aside however, my favorite part of this film - is its obvious role in planting Magnolia's seed. See more
Kylo W Aug 27, 2017 Many different short stories about people in California. I enjoyed Lili Tomlin and Lili Taylor. But that's it. The rest of the cast's storyline's were dull and forgetable. Why Altman chose to cast some of these people is crazy. Some of them, for example Madeline Stowe, or Mathew Modine, are terrible actors. See more
Harry S Mar 24, 2017 Pretty long damn movie, but a great one at that. Once again, Robert Altman took me on this journey through all these diverse and interesting characters and made me watch the whole thing attentively. He puts you right in the middle of it all, and you just have to go with it. I think that's what I like most about his movies, is that they're like a roller coaster. Once you strap yourself in, your forced to ride the whole thing out. I'd watch this movie again, I just wish it was a bit shorter. See more
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Short Cuts

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Movie Info

Synopsis Many loosely connected characters cross paths in this film, based on the stories of Raymond Carver. Waitress Doreen Piggot (Lily Tomlin) accidentally runs into a boy with her car. Soon after walking away, the child lapses into a coma. While at the hospital, the boy's grandfather (Jack Lemmon) tells his son, Howard (Bruce Davison), about his past affairs. Meanwhile, a baker (Lyle Lovett) starts harassing the family when they fail to pick up the boy's birthday cake.
Director
Robert Altman
Producer
Cary Brokaw
Screenwriter
Robert Altman, Frank Barhydt
Distributor
Argentina Video Home, Artificial Eye
Production Co
Fine Line Features, Avenue Pictures Productions
Rating
R
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 1, 1993, Wide
Release Date (DVD)
Dec 17, 2007
Box Office (Gross USA)
$6.1M
Runtime
3h 9m
Sound Mix
Surround, Stereo
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