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| Director: Robert Altman
Actors: Matthew Modine, Michael Wright, Mitchell Lichtenstein, David Alan Grier, Guy Boyd
Studio: Parade Video
List Price: $5.98
Buy Used: $3.21
You Save: $2.77 (46%)
New (1) Used (13) Collectible (1) from $3.21
Rating:  8 reviews
Sales Rank: 26842
Format: Color, Ep, Ntsc
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: R (Restricted)
Media: VHS Tape
Number Of Items: 1
Running Time: 118 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.4
Dimensions (in): 7.3 x 4.2 x 1.1
UPC: 071083058431
EAN: 0071083058431
ASIN: B000006CPD
Release Date: November 11, 1998
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: Mail Tracking Number Provided - Movie includes its original box. From Private Collection. Significant shelfwear to box. -- Money Back Guarantee! - (International ships airmail where possible)
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 6-8 of 8
 Pull cord... September 9, 2007
Aco
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Somehow it's almost terrible that every cover for Streamers has a picture of Matthew Modine on it. One even features him gray haired, looking like the middle aged guy he presently is. Because this isn't merely his film, or a showcase for his talents, etc. After all, with Robert Altman directing and David Rabe writing from his stage play-no slouches needing the face of a star to sell their works, this needs to be represented in a better, broader, more poetic way.
Like Coppola, Altman's 1980's were peculiar, a seemingly odd period; HealtH, Popeye, Jimmy Dean, O.C. and Stiggs and Aria come to mind as "those other Altman movies." He also made Secret Honor, another play, Sam Shepard's Fool for Love, the TV series Tanner '88, and Streamers, all interesting, distinct, good fare.
Exclusively held in a barracks of a base near Washington, D.C. Streamers is a difficult story to pinpoint as being about one or two distinct things. Because it's essence winds and twirls within the struggles of the characters to figure out who they are, as isolated Spec. 4's, alone at the end of a half empty barrack, having no duties and left to dangle or fall within the Army's world, purposeless and expendable. Perhaps that is the vision, Rabe being a vet who wrote several searing Vietnam based plays-usually cynical, angry, psychologically tormented, though funny and even when set on the homefront, male stories. But it's success lies in it's open endedness.
Modine is Billy, a white Wisconsiner, straight and direct, the vision of Americana. David Alan Grier is Roger, a black urbanite, who has been able to straddle both white and black worlds, less likely to confront and amiable. Mitchell Lichtenstein's Richie is either an insane white kid trying to get out of going to 'Nam by feigning homosexuality or someone truly coming into his own as a maturing gay man. It is never clear why these three are held together, but Richie's fey behavior is blatant, and the subject which spells them into questioning each other. Carlyle, marvelously played by Michael Wright, comes from another part of the base, maybe a soldier, or a drifter, or a transient, or some angel; a black man, tortured and violent, who's presence propells the action towards a visceral, powerful conclusion.
That's all I can say regarding the story. The first hour plus was often slow, and I was sometimes bored or irritated at the lack of direction. But the last half hour is very strong, all the performances grow with the intensity of the circumstances, inclusing the two Sgt.'s Rooney and Cokes, played by Guy Boyd and George Dzundza, respectively.
I'd recommend this for devout Altman fans. Stage to screen adaptation lovers. Vietnam-era story admirers and fans of quality acting, minus spectacle. There is much strong imagry here and the closing shot is great too.
A very well acted film June 29, 2000
Daniel L. Miley (Collegeville, PA USA)
Very good performances from all actors, especially by Michael Wright as Carlyle. Guy Boyd and George Dzundra are excellent as two drunken old sergeants. The film itself is somewhat stage-bound as it is based on a play, but the acting makes this a worthwhile experience for any fan of strong acting and strong themes including war, death, and repressed (as well as open) homosexuality.
 Harrowing Depection of War Away From War April 15, 2007
Tom O'Leary (Los Angeles, California)
This movie by Robert Altman is one of the best adaptations of a play into a movie ever filmed. Everything is top notch starting with the deeply moving script by David Rabe. I can't think of another movie or play that deals with homophobia, racism and the senseless horror of war in one story. Altman films this firecracker story with great delicacy, as usual. The acting is absolutely out of this world. Matthew Modine has never been more moving. This movie is perfection.
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