MovieChat Forums > MASH (1970) Discussion > Every shot out of focus?

Every shot out of focus?

posted 15 years ago by rj19792
8 replies | jump to latest

Robert Altman is a good director. I happen to enjoy several of his films. Yet, this piece of *beep* turns my stomach. How does a man as prestigious as Altman make a movie where every shot is out of focus? Go check the film out, you will see. It is difficult to watch.

[–] Pharaoh-in-de-Nile 15 years ago

Every shot in every Altman film is out of focus. It's not by accident, it is his style. I like it, oddly makes things look more realistic (maybe because I am going blind though to be fair)!

"Nothings gonna change my world!"

[–] jayanxiety 15 years ago

I didn't see it as being out-of-focus, rather one key element of the frame is in focus. Being that Altman is known for shooting multiple dialogue within the same scene, the viewer might be concetrating on the background elements which may be out-of-focus. MASH also has a dirty and misty quality to the film which makes it all seem that much more hellish.

[–] rdoyle29 15 years ago

Listen to the DVD commentary, the film is deliberately slightly out of focus.

[–] retpo 15 years ago

Lenscrafters might help.

[–] 15 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Paul_Ke 14 years ago

I like it, oddly makes things look more realistic

I feel the same way.

[–] 14 years ago

[deleted]

[–] zalbayati 14 years ago

I love the visual stlye of Altman. McCabe and Mrs Miller is shot in the same way as Mash. Does make it feel more realistic and I love the fog filters Altman uses.