Perfect cast and a good story

As somebody who had not heard any of this before, it became a curious phenomenon to sit and watch a film and slowly have the realities begin to click into place.

All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

Yet another 'I should probably see again' film (sigh). Sometimes very funny, occasionally disturbing super-black comedy about the absurdity of modern urban life. On first viewing, while some of the performances were wonderful (Donald Sutherland), some were merely OK (Elliott Gould in the lead) and some are over the top and annoying (Lou Jacobi, and, surprisingly, the great Alan Arkin who also directed, perhaps trying to do too much at once). Too often the cast feel like actors are in different movies, with different styles and levels of reality. This is a very brave and odd film, with some unforgettable moments, but others that feel awkward and trite. Most reviews were stronger than my reaction, and I could definitely imagine this being one of those films where the strengths would seems stronger, and the weaknesses less annoying on repeated viewings. Nice cinematography by Gordon Willis.

I asked the clerk at my local video store to suggest a comedy from the 70's on VHS as my DVD player was broken. He recommended Little Murders and got a glazed over look in his eye and an idiots smile on his face, obviously reminiscing over a scene in the film. That was enough for me to want to rent it, and I'm glad I did. The acting in this film is outstanding, the highlight for me was Alan Arkin playing a Dr. Strangelove esquire police officer and of course the scene with Donald Sutherland as the minister. The film holds up remarkably well for having been filmed over 35 years ago, it must have been ahead of it's time when it came out. Aside from a few slang terms that were definitely from a by gone era, the film could easily take place today. All in all worth the effort if for nothing else than an outstanding cast of Arkin, Sutherland and Gould. Did it get any better than that acting wise in the 1970?

When they were all in their heyday, Elliott Gould, Alan Arkin (who also directed) and Donald Sutherland collaborated on the over-the-top black comedy "Little Murders", in which Gould plays emotionally vacant New York photographer Alfred Chamberlain, hooking up with vivacious young Patsy Newquist (Marcia Rodd) in the midst of several hundred unsolved homicides in the Big Apple. In the process of everything, the series of events exposes the flaws in all the characters, especially Patsy's parents (Vincent Gardenia and Elizabeth Wilson).I think that my two favorite scenes are the appearances of Sutherland and Arkin. Sutherland plays a priest who seems to be a cross between Sutherland's characters from "MASH" and "Kelly's Heroes"; Arkin plays a detective who spouts out the craziest monologue explaining why there's a conspiracy behind the murders. Overall, this is very much a New York kind of movie. I should identify that there are several very long scenes during the movie, but it's certainly not a flick that you'll forget anytime soon. Impressive.

Little Murders is more absurd than noir, but I suppose a black Comedy sums it up nicely. This was Elliot Gould at the zenith of his early 70's popularity, coming after Mash and Bob & Carol and Ted & Alice. Although this is not the best movie of that era for him, it is surely one of his best performances. His character, Alfred Chamberlain is not particularly sympathetic or really likable, yet it's hard not stare in amazement at Chamberlain's reactions, or lack there of, to the 3 ring circus going around.Marcia Rodd, Vincent Gardenia and Elizabeth Wilson are all strong in support of the lunacy, terror and degradation on screen.Notes: Doris Roberts (Everybody Love Raymond, Remington Steele)convincingly plays Elliot Gould's mother in this movie despite only being 9 years older than Mr. Gould.The Song at the end of movie, "Skating in Central Park" performed by the modern jazz quartet is hard to find, but is available on their CD, The Complete Last Concert Live and another of their CD's - Dedicated to Connie.