Altman – London Film Festival critic’s pick for Wednesday October 8

For the opening day of the BFI London Film Festival, our critic recommends a documentary about director Robert Altman followed by one of his classic films
Outspoken: director Robert Altman, the subject of Ron Mann's documentary, Altman (Pic: Michael Grecco Production, Inc)
Nick Roddick7 October 2014

Unless you’ve got an invitation, forget Leicester Square on the London Film Festival’s opening night. The curtain-raising film, The Imitation Game, is certainly worth seeing, but you can watch it without all the red-carpet fuss on Thursday October 9 (Odeon West End, 3.15pm) or Friday October 10 (Hackney Picturehouse, 8.45pm). Besides, there’s plenty else to see and, as every day for the next 11, we have a suggestion for you.

First night alternatives include a French thriller, a music doc and some experimental shorts at the ICA. But best bet is probably a double bill of Hollywood history at the BFI Southbank, starting with Ron Mann’s documentary Altman, featuring footage of, interviews with and other filmmakers’ comments on the outspoken director who died in 2006.

Divas to die for: Robert Altman's Come Back to the Five & Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean

That’s followed by a chance to see his neglected Come Back to the Five & Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean, a stage adaptation with a trio of divas to die for – Cher, Karen Black and Kathy Bates – plus the wonderful Sandy Dennis, unforgettable in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf and the only one of the four to have played the role on stage. All take part in a reunion of the James Dean fan club in a small Texas town 20 years after his death, and the dialogue positively crackles.

Altman, BFI Southbank, Wed Oct 8, 6.15pm; also Thu Oct 16, BFI Southbank, 4pm.

Come Back to the Five & Dime, BFI Southbank, Wed Oct 8, 8.45pm; also Sun Oct 12, BFI Southbank, 3.15pm.

Browse all London Film Festival reviews

1/20

Create a FREE account to continue reading

eros

Registration is a free and easy way to support our journalism.

Join our community where you can: comment on stories; sign up to newsletters; enter competitions and access content on our app.

Your email address

Must be at least 6 characters, include an upper and lower case character and a number

You must be at least 18 years old to create an account

* Required fields

Already have an account? SIGN IN

By clicking Create Account you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use , Cookie policy and Privacy policy .

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in