Short Cuts
Seen it?1993 | 188 min | Drama, Comedy
Friday Night FlickWhy it’s a Friday Night Flick
Critics loved it (95% on Rotten Tomatoes) and it drew serious awards attention. Make plans for this one.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for anyone who wants a laugh. If you loved After Hours or The Big Short, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Funny with heart.
- The pace
- Unhurried and epic, at 3 hr 8 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated R: meant for adults.
- It's long: 3 hr 8 min.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
Many loosely connected characters cross paths in this film, based on the stories of Raymond Carver. Waitress Doreen Piggot accidentally runs into a boy with her car. Soon after walking away, the child lapses into a coma. While at the hospital, the boy's grandfather tells his son, Howard, about his past affairs. Meanwhile, a baker starts harassing the family when they fail to pick up the boy's birthday cake.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsVery strong
95% on Rotten Tomatoes, 81 on Metacritic
- AudiencesSolid
7.2 out of 10
- AwardsStrong
Won 1 Venice award: Venice Film Festival: Best Screenplay. Won 4 Independent Spirit Awards: Independent Spirit Awards: Best Feature, Independent Spirit Awards: Best Director, Independent Spirit Awards: Best Screenplay, Independent Spirit Awards: Best Supporting Female. Also nominated for 1 Oscar and 1 Golden Globe. Plus 4 other awards.
- Box office & staying powerBelow par
$6 million worldwide on a $12 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactSolid
About 142K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
More like this
After Hours Friday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed dramedy.
The Big Short Friday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed dramedy.
Demolition
Weeknight WatchAnother dramedy, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
Requiem for a Dream Friday Night FlickAnother much-loved drama.
21 Grams
Saturday SpecialAnother drama, and a Saturday Special.
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Cast & crew
Directed by Robert Altman
- Andie MacDowellAnn Finnigan
- Bruce DavisonHoward Finnigan
- Jack LemmonPaul Finnigan
- Tim RobbinsGene Shepard
- Julianne MooreMarian Wyman
- Tom WaitsEarl Piggot
- Lily TomlinDoreen Piggot
- Fred WardStuart Kane
- Chris PennJerry Kaiser
- Frances McDormandBetty Weathers