Short Cuts is a 1993 drama film directed by Robert Altman and based on the short stories of Raymond Carver. The film features a large ensemble cast including Tim Robbins, Julianne Moore, Robert Downey Jr., Lily Tomlin, Matthew Modine, Anne Archer, Fred Ward, and Jennifer Jason Leigh.
The film takes place in Los Angeles and interweaves the lives of multiple characters over the course of several days. The characters are loosely connected through chance encounters and shared experiences, but their stories are largely independent of each other.
One of the main storylines involves the accidental hit-and-run of a young boy by waitress Doreen Piggot (Lily Tomlin). After leaving the scene, Doreen is consumed by guilt when she learns that the boy has fallen into a coma. Her husband Earl (Tom Waits) tries to console her, but the incident drives a wedge between them.
Meanwhile, the boy's mother Marian (Julianne Moore) struggles with her own guilt and anxiety about her son's condition. She seeks comfort from a group of female friends, including a hairdresser (Lili Taylor), a cellist (Madeleine Stowe), and an artist (Andie MacDowell).
Another storyline involves the infidelities of the boy's grandfather, played by Jack Lemmon. His son Howard (Bruce Davison) confronts him about his past affairs, revealing a long-simmering resentment towards his father. The revelation strains their relationship and leads to a confrontation with Howard's own wife Ann (Anne Archer).
Other characters include a police officer (Chris Penn) and his wife (Jennifer Jason Leigh), a car salesman (Matthew Modine) and his wife (Anne Heche), and a radio host (Fred Ward) who becomes the subject of a controversy.
The film's themes include infidelity, guilt, grief, and the search for meaning in modern life. Altman's signature style of overlapping dialogue and improvisation is on full display, creating a rich tapestry of interconnected lives. Short Cuts was critically acclaimed and received numerous awards and nominations, including three Academy Award nominations.
