How do you feel about the adjective ‘Altmanesque’? It’s now applied to any multi-layered movie with an ensemble cast…
Robert Altman: I don’t know what “Altmanesque” means, though I suppose I’m flattered by it. I mean, Paul Thomas Anderson openly said to me, “All I’m doing is ripping you off.” But that kid Anderson is really, really talented. He’s a real artist, our best hope. [ 2004 ]Robert Altman: Paul was very, very generous [to act as a a stand-by director on A Prairie Home Companion for insurance purposes]. It’s amazing, I was really surprised. I never would have asked him to do it. He was at my side every moment I was shooting and he was a fantastic help. He never intruded, he never overrode me. I couldn’t even say goodbye to him, I would have broken down in tears. [ 2006 ]
