Kansas City | Rotten Tomatoes (2024)

Audience Reviews

Dani G Another attempt from Robert Altman to have multiple lead characters with mediocre results Rated 1.5/5 Stars • Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 06/05/24 Full Review Jerod S Didn't work for me. The choppy and long jazz interludes couldn't keep me invested in a double kidnapping in the 30s. Rated 2/5 Stars • Rated 2 out of 5 stars 05/18/24 Full Review isla s I enjoyed this film as a stylish crime drama film with a film noir feel to it, mainly for the music played - the musical performances shown are quite impressive. I particularly enjoyed the what I call 'sax-off'. It has a really jazzy vibe. The plot is interesting too and I liked that one of the main characters was essentially a female gangster - cool stuff. If you like jazz music of the 1930s (this film is set in the 1930s, I believe) then hang around when the credits start, as we're shown and hear music while most of the credits roll. Yes, I'd definitely recommend this film. Rated 4/5 Stars • Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review bill b I had hoped that the movie would feature more of the musical numbers played all the way through but I was disappointed. They should put out a DVD of only the musicians and their music. The plot was not good, the writing poor, and the acting, except for Bellafonte, not exceptional. Rated 2/5 Stars • Rated 2 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Audience Member If there's one place where nothing is black and white and the music never stops it's Kansas CityA large cast from Jennifer Jason-Leigh to Miranda Richardson to Steve Buscemi to Harry Belafonte to Dermony Mulroney and directed by Robert Altman During the 1930s a pair of kidnappings expose the complex power dynamics within the corrupt and unpredictable workings of its citizens Blondie O'Hara's husband, a petty thief, is captured by Seldom Seen and held at the Hey Hey Club, she launches a desperate plan to release himShe kidnaps the wife of a powerful local politician in an attempt to blackmail him into using his connections to free JohnnyDespite this being election time, he risks exposure by putting the political machine into action to free Johnny and thereby save his wifeMrs. Stilton, meanwhile, has befriended Blondie and is impressed by her love and devotion to Johnny, especially in contrast to her own loveless marriageIt's an unlikely friendship stemming from a crime in progress The film explores themes of love, crime, race, and politicsThis feels though like a slight entry in Altman's filmography Dull in spots and doesn't really have a sense of urgency Maybe the filmmakers just forgot the basic ingredients how to make a noir film It's mediocre at best even if it has great talent involved Should've been a stronger period piece for this director Rated 1.5/5 Stars • Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 01/22/23 Full Review Audience Member I'm trying to figure out why film critics gave this such good reviews. The structure of the story was so convoluted and the acting so below average, I found myself tuning out halfway through this mess. The long drawn out club scenes were unnecessary, and Harry Belafonte's character yapping perpetually about nothing was annoying! And why is Robert Altman held in such high regards? Does he get a free pass every time he makes a lousy movie? "Oh, it's an Altman film, it's an automatic thumbs-up". I guess Popeye gets a 4 star review, huh? Kansas City seems to jump from one scene to the next, you start loosing interest in the story. I didn't even care about the outcome. To hell with this movie! Rated 1/5 Stars • Rated 1 out of 5 stars 02/23/23 Full Review Read all reviews

Kansas City

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