Altman Blog

Altman is notoriously known for his unique style of cinematography in that the cameras are constantly moving around which gives the viewers of his films the feeling of voyeurism. In The Long Goodbye, Altman displays this signature cinematic element; particularily in the scene where Phillip goes to see Eileen and discovers, to his dismay, that she has vanished and that her house is being sold. The constantly moving camera shows the change that has overcome the house and depicts the bareness of it. Not only that, but the camera doesn't follow Phillip exactly in order to show the protagonists point-of-view and gives the audience a sort of visual unrestricted narration. This is not at all similar to any of the other directors we have studied and is a significant element in Altman's films, and although Rear Window uses voyuerism to heighten suspense it is not conveyed in the same way.