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California Split

Play trailer Poster for California Split R Released Aug 7, 1974 1h 48m Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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87% Tomatometer 31 Reviews 83% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
Carefree single guy Charlie Waters (Elliott Gould) rooms with two lovely prostitutes, Barbara Miller (Ann Prentiss) and Susan Peters (Gwen Welles), and lives to gamble. Along with his glum betting buddy, Bill Denny (George Segal), Charlie sets out on a gambling streak in search of the ever-elusive big payday. While Charlie and Bill have some lucky moments, they also have to contend with serious setbacks that threaten to derail their hedonistic betting binge.
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California Split

California Split

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Critics Consensus

Aimless yet amiable, California Split is minor but rewarding Altman, elevated by the chemistry between leads Elliott Gould and George Segal.

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Critics Reviews

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Charles Michener Newsweek It is enough to say that [Altman's] cards add up to a royal flush. Nov 2, 2021 Full Review Joe Pollack St. Louis Post-Dispatch The conclusion falls a little bit flat, but getting there is much more than half the fun. The parts add up to much more than the whole, and it's enjoyable. May 19, 2021 Full Review Desmond Ryan Philadelphia Inquirer An often hilarious reassurance to Altman's many admirers that the gift of wry and perceptive humor has not deserted him. May 19, 2021 Full Review Eddie Harrison film-authority.com …flop-houses, flop-sweat and a general air of flailing macho camaraderie are all California Split has got going for it, but it’s more than enough…that lack of showy Hollywood pizzazz is what makes this celebration of the low-life so great… Rated: 4/5 Aug 19, 2024 Full Review Noah Gittell Washington City Paper Every winning streak has to end, but California Split has a helluva run. Aug 3, 2024 Full Review Robert Roten Laramie Movie Scope It features Altman's trademark free-flowing, overlapping dialogue, liberal use of tracking shots and a sympathetic eye for those trapped in this seedy, dangerous side of life. Rated: B May 22, 2022 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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John E Robert Altman's California Split is another triumph in his unique brand of filmmaking, one that thrives on character over plot and the nuances of human behavior over dramatic story arcs. Released in 1974, the film is a quintessential example of Altman's improvisational style and his ability to drop viewers into fully realized worlds without conventional exposition. The story centers on two men, Bill Denny (George Segal) and Charlie Waters (Elliott Gould), who form a bond through their shared love of gambling. Bill is a magazine writer with a steady life, but when he crosses paths with the charmingly chaotic Charlie, who lives with two sex workers and chases action wherever he can find it, his stable world begins to unravel. What begins as a casual indulgence quickly evolves into something far more consuming as Bill becomes increasingly drawn to Charlie’s lifestyle. Altman’s genius lies in his refusal to over-explain. We meet the characters in motion, without backstories or context, learning about them solely through their actions, conversations, and choices. It’s a cinematic approach that feels authentic and unscripted, perfectly suited to the chaotic world of compulsive gambling that the film portrays. Ann Prentiss and Gwen Welles give delightful performances as Barbara and Susan, Charlie’s roommates. Their characters could easily have been flat stereotypes, but under Altman’s direction, they come across as vivid and layered. Prentiss’ Barbara is pragmatic and nurturing, while Welles’ Susan is open-hearted and emotionally vulnerable. Their presence adds warmth and texture to the film's otherwise male-dominated landscape. A unique aspect of California Split is its use of ambient sound and overlapping dialogue, which became an Altman trademark. The film’s soundscape, populated with the murmur of poker games, racing calls, and lounge singers, creates a world that feels lived-in and authentic. The background extras, many of whom never speak, are rich with character, adding to the atmosphere in subtle yet effective ways. While marketed as a comedy, California Split never shies away from the darker implications of gambling addiction. However, Altman handles the subject with a light, observational touch, avoiding moral judgment or melodrama. The film neither condemns nor glorifies its characters; it simply follows them with curiosity and empathy. True to Altman's form, the ending offers no easy answers. Bill begins the film searching for something, perhaps purpose, excitement, or escape, and by the end, while much has changed, that emptiness lingers. The resolution is deliberately ambiguous, leaving viewers to reflect on what, if anything, has been gained. California Split is not just a movie about gambling; it’s a study of bromance, compulsion, and the quiet desperation that often hides beneath laughter. This is a true gem in Altman’s filmography and, like his next release, Nashville, a fascinating time capsule of 1970s Americana. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 06/15/25 Full Review Chinu D It’s a really good movie Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/20/24 Full Review Adiya A The young people behind the film have done a great job and it can be seen in this film. I liked it very much. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/20/24 Full Review Bahad j I felt like the characters in this movie could feel the happiness and difficulties that they faced in real life. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/03/24 Full Review Bulgantamir B The plot was instructive Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/20/24 Full Review Бавуу Э Carefree single guy Charlie Waters (Elliott Gould) rooms with two lovely prostitutes, Barbara Miller (Ann Prentiss) and Susan Peters (Gwen Welles), and lives to gamble. Along with his glum betting buddy, Bill Denny (George Segal), Charlie sets out on a gambling streak in search of the ever-elusive big payday. While Charlie and Bill have some lucky moments, they also have to contend with serious setbacks that threaten to derail their hedonistic betting binge. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/02/24 Full Review Read all reviews
California Split

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Movie Info

Synopsis Carefree single guy Charlie Waters (Elliott Gould) rooms with two lovely prostitutes, Barbara Miller (Ann Prentiss) and Susan Peters (Gwen Welles), and lives to gamble. Along with his glum betting buddy, Bill Denny (George Segal), Charlie sets out on a gambling streak in search of the ever-elusive big payday. While Charlie and Bill have some lucky moments, they also have to contend with serious setbacks that threaten to derail their hedonistic betting binge.
Director
Robert Altman
Producer
Joseph Walsh, Robert Altman
Screenwriter
Joseph Walsh
Distributor
Columbia Pictures
Production Co
Columbia Pictures Corporation
Rating
R
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Aug 7, 1974, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Dec 31, 2012
Runtime
1h 48m
Sound Mix
Mono
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