Darin Takes On The Classics: MASH

MASH IS NOT PAINLESS

By Darin Skaggs

     In the late 1960’s and early 1970’s there came a new era in film.  The Hays Code that restricted movies from showing sex, violence and language was long gone and a new rating system came in.  The more mature the material is then the higher the rating is.  That meant filmmakers could not show blood, breast and bad words.  One of the prime examples of these first films is Robert Altman’s MASH.  Unfortunately, the film focuses on using the new ways to create it to make a good movie. 

     MASH tells the tale of an American medical unit during the Korean War.  New comers to the group include Hawkeye Pierce, played by Donald Sutherland, and Trapper John, played by Elliot Gould. They arrive at the compound and immediately cause trouble.  They do this throughout the film.  They do cruel acts like audibly mock a man while he is praying, lift a tent to reveal a women showering to settle a bet and fighting off woman with an umbrella like they’re Robin Hood.  These men, who occasionally perform surgery on wounded soldiers, clearly have no interest in human emotion or making a moral decision.  This leaves the film kind of cold, rude and not very funny even though this is labeled as a comedy.  If the film took these awful men and said they were wrong or gave a good reason that the horrors of war are making them act out, then getting on board would be a lot easier.  It is not, the film seems to be on the side of Hawkeyes and Trapper.  When they are in Hong Kong there is a sound effect every few minutes of a gong noise.  This is uncomfortable humor that is played throughout the film, maybe it was funny during the time but the film is now dated and leaves you kind of feeling gross.

     The film is really not about anything, except what was already described.  Films like that are fine, if they are good, but this film does not have anything to say.  It does not make any attempt to say that anyone is affected by seeing blood and loosing patients.  It treats women, specifically one, as complete idiots for humor.  If it is about anything it seems to be saying men are awesome and being one is cool.  The focus is so off that the conclusion of the film is a football game with another camp.  There is a bet that is made for some money.  It comes out of nowhere and it really has nothing to do with anything.  And of course our protagonists cheat and win.  Altman was a young man and the film is clearly made by one.  It feels like it is for a person that doesn’t want to grow up or someone that does not want to be polite to anybody. 

     This film is deemed a classic and if it came out now it might be classified as a bad Will Ferrell film.  For being a comedy this really leaves a bad taste in your mouth.  And for some reason the film tries to push emotion down your throat with a goodbye.  It is not very funny or entertaining in the least.