Set in 1934, Kansas City, director Robert Altman's stylish film looks at the ambiguous line between gangsters and politicians, while featuring the moody jazz of the era. Kansas City follows two separate but related kidnappings. After ripping off a powerful man, a small-time hustler (Dermot Mulroney) is abducted by rich mobster Seldom Seen (Harry Belafonte). Meanwhile, Blondie O'Hara (Jennifer Jason Leigh), tries to bargain for her husband's life by taking custody of a laudanum-addicted socialite (a remarkable Miranda Richardson). Rich with period detail, Kansas City evokes a time when the mob ruled all, and high stakes, lawlessness, and corruption were the tools of survival. Excellent performances and a startling conclusion make this film well worth seeing. (L. Russo)[DVD Review--January 25, 2005--New Line, 108 min., R, $19.98--Making its debut on DVD, 1996's Kansas City is presented in a handsome widescreen transfer with DTS, Dolby Digital 5.1, and stereo surround options, as well as a characteristically interesting commentary by director Altman. Bottom line: looking and sounding great on DVD, this is highly recommended.]
Kansas City
(New Line, 115 min., R, avail. Jan. 28) Vol. 12, Issue 1
Kansas City
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