California Split (1974)

91% of critics liked it
(11 reviews)
80% of users liked it
(2,663 ratings)

The most narratively loose of Robert Altman's '70s films, California Split details the haphazard lives of two compulsive gamblers searching for that ever-elusive big score. Newly single and soon-to-be-unemployed Bill (George Segal) joins live-wire pal Charlie (Elliott Gould), as the pair moves from… More The most narratively loose of Robert Altman's '70s films, California Split details the haphazard lives of two compulsive gamblers searching for that ever-elusive big score. Newly single and soon-to-be-unemployed Bill (George Segal) joins live-wire pal Charlie (Elliott Gould), as the pair moves from Fruit Loops with Charlie's hooker roommates Sue (Gwen Welles) and Barbara (Ann Prentiss) to bets on horses, backroom card games, boxing, and basketball. They make it to Reno, but Bill comes to realize that even the big score may not be the answer to the meaning (or meaninglessness) of life. For Charlie, however, that's all there is. ~ Lucia Bozzola, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 47 min.
Directed By: Robert Altman
Written By: Joseph Walsh
Genres: Drama, Classics, Comedy

In Theaters: Aug 7, 1974 Limited
On DVD: Nov 2, 2004
Studio: Columbia Pictures

Critic Reviews

Michael Atkinson, Village Voice
Sold as a comedy, the film scans more like American-century Dostoyevsky, with comp cocktails.
Don Druker, Chicago Reader
Robert Altman's masterful 1974 study of the psychology of the compulsive gambler.
Variety Staff, Variety
The film is technically and physically handsome, all the more so for being mostly location work, but lacks a cohesive and reinforced sense of story direction.
Vincent Canby, New York Times
A fascinating, vivid movie, not quite comparable to any other movie that I can immediately think of. Nor is it easily categorized.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
What Altman comes up with is sometimes almost a documentary feel; at the end of California Split we know something about organized gambling in this country we didn't know before.
Fernando F. Croce, CinePassion
Nothing enhances Altman's visual-aural density like the bustle of poker circles, race tracks, boxing rings
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
A film such as this, which is essentially a series of comic vignettes without a plot, depends upon its performances, and both Gould and Segal are in top form.
Tom Block, culturevulture.net
...the big thing holding back American movies is that they aren't more like California Split.
Eric Henderson, Slant Magazine
Adding emphasis on the homo-ness of their lucrative bond are the repeated instances where the interference of women breaks both their concentration and their hot streaks.
Joshua Rothkopf, Time Out
Altman feels rather than thinks his way into a subject, with a special interest in how people relate to one another in moments of crisis.
, Film4
he two actors' inventive, improvized banter is a treat, and they are ably supported by Prentiss and Welles, both given room and encouragement to make their mark by the director.

Read all 11 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Bob S

Ultimate Altman?
Graham J

Altman's hilarious look at compulsive gambling is perhaps his most underrated film.
Pierluigi P

An amusing and completely uncategorizable film that captures the mood of its period, an atmosphere long gone by now where the low life and unstable compulsive gamblers round up looking for little green papers to pass through the week or more hopefully to heal their wounds. As some… More
An amusing and completely uncategorizable film that captures the mood of its period, an atmosphere long gone by now where the low life and unstable compulsive gamblers round up looking for little green papers to pass through the week or more hopefully to heal their wounds. As some other works by its director, it feels over talky, anarchic, scattered, erratic, but he always gets the best out of his cast, giving them time to improvise and take it to the wildest, in the case of Elliot Gould. He and George Segal were perfect for the job, the chemistry is real, un rehearsed. Although the story doesn't take much chances, the reliance on its actors' charm is what makes it quite enjoyable.
Stella D

a stellar tragicomic buddy film about compulsive gamblers. extremely natural, even by altman standards. elliott gould at his manic peak
Ken S

Near perfect Altman, Segal and Gould are on fire in this small time gambler character comedy.
Michael S

Altman's most underrated film!
Adam M

Altman hit his goal of replacing plot as much as possible with character observation; Segal and Gould are great
Walter M

[font=Century Gothic]Directed by Robert Altman, "California Split" is a rambling, episodic tale of two small-time compulsive gamblers in Los Angeles. Though they share an obsession that rules their lives, they could not be any more different. Charlie Waters(Elliott Gould)… More
[font=Century Gothic]Directed by Robert Altman, "California Split" is a rambling, episodic tale of two small-time compulsive gamblers in Los Angeles. Though they share an obsession that rules their lives, they could not be any more different. Charlie Waters(Elliott Gould) enjoys gambling, lives by his wits and bets on anything and everything. However, Bill Denny(George Segal) is miserable and gambling does little for him. He still has one foot in the mundane world by working as a writer for a magazine but he is also divorced, gambling possibly having ruined his marriage.[/font] [font=Century Gothic][/font] [font=Century Gothic]By eschewing a traditional narrative structure, Robert Altman is able to avoid the cliches that occur in most addiction movies(such cliches explaining why I have not been favoring any of the drug movies I have seen recently). The movie does not pass judgment, just observing and trying to get inside the gamblers' heads. And thanks to two excellent lead performances, it succeeds.[/font]
Brian R

I think this is one of Robert Altman's best's and it's very funny too. It's one of those all good things must come to an end pictures with two great stars. I love the way how Altman introduces me to the game of poker and gambling and the characters who overlap and… More
I think this is one of Robert Altman's best's and it's very funny too. It's one of those all good things must come to an end pictures with two great stars. I love the way how Altman introduces me to the game of poker and gambling and the characters who overlap and talk whenever they please.
Sarah P

Elliott Gould creates a hilarious character and makes for a great, funny, and somewhat tragic film

Read all 10 featured audience ratings

Cast

            George Segal as Bill Denny

            Elliott Gould as Charlie Waters

            Ann Prentiss as Barbara Miller

            Gwen Welles as Susan Peters

            Ed Walsh as Lew

            Joseph Walsh as Sparkie

            Marc Cavell as California Club Poker Player

            Barbara Colby as Receptionist

            John Considine as Man at Bar

            Jay Fletcher as Robber

            Jeff Goldblum as Lloyd Harris

            Richard Kennedy as Used Car Salesman

            Barbara London as Lady on Bus

            Vincent Palmieri as First Bartender

            Alyce Passman as Go-Go Girl

            Bert Remsen as Helen Brown

            Jack Riley as Bartender

            Barbara Ruick as Reno Barmaid

            Tom Signorelli as Nugie

            Joanne Strauss as Mother

            Eugene Troobnick as Harvey

            Sharon Compton as Nugie's Wife

            Thomas Hal Phillips as Reno Poker Players

            Mickey Fox as California Club Poker Player

            Edward Walsh
            
            Joey Walsh
            
See full cast

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