Hectic and seething...

Charlie Parker and his mother are gratuitously shoehorned into the plot, though some of the movie’s other strategies for imparting flavor work; what doesn’t work here is the flip cynicism, which by now, alas, has become Altman’s debilitating trademark.

As always with Altman, the ensemble excels, with every character perfectly played, all fates cleverly connected, and all action overlaid with a thumping jazz score.

Strong on atmosphere and a delight for jazz lovers.