Even second-rate Altman is worthwhile

Dallas gynaecologist Dr. Sullivan Travis, Richard Gere, idealises the women in his life.There`s his wife, Kate, Farrah Fawcett, who`s having some mental problems, his loyalreceptionist, Carolyn, Shelley Long, his sister-in-law, Laura Dern, and his daughters,Connie, Tara Reid, a JFK Conspiracy Theorist, and Dee Dee, Kate Hudson,who`s preparing for her wedding. Dr. T lives in a chaotic world, but he`s able to spend timewith new golf pro Bree, Helen Hunt. That`s before events begin to close in on him.. clipDRobert Altman is on the wrong side of 75 now, but he`s still able to make films in his ownidiosyncratic style, and even though DR. T AND THE WOMEN doesn`t have a particularlystrong screenplay, it`s still beautifully directed, with Altman`s trademark long takes, complexchoreography and overlapping dialogue. And the performances are all good, with RichardGere, very relaxed and charming, actually better than usual. It`s a film full of sly humour andnot a great deal of surface action, but Altman fans shouldn`t go home too disappointed. OK,so it`s not NASHVILLE or THE PLAYER, but even 2nd rate Altman is better than a lot ofother things around.