《M*A*S*H*》(風流軍醫俏護士), 37年前的電影, 感覺上仍然很現代. 戲內瀰漫的嬉戲至上、抗衡現實的頑童態度, 至今仍然令人充滿共鳴.
儘管《M*A*S*H*》的情節確令人笑到肚痛. 眾醫護人員除了負責血肉模糊的手術外, 就是盡情地在距離戰線很近的軍營玩、玩、玩: 將護士長Hot Lips (Sally Kellerman) 和Major Frank Burns (Robert Duvall) 的偷情實錄, 現場同步收音廣播、眾人扮成達文西《最後的晚餐》的十二門徒, 見證無力當男子漢的牙醫Painless Pole自殺; Hawkeye (Donald Sutherland) 和Trapper (Elliot Gould) 為了可以出營打哥爾夫球, 答應替參議員兒子動手術, 期間還要諸多享樂要求... 無政府思想充斥在影片每一角落, 但也同時感受到戰爭的荒誕和悲涼.
Hot Lips (左二)、Trapper (中)、Hawkeye (右三) 、Duke Forrest (右一)Hawkeye和Trapper等人極之討厭的護士長Hot Lips及Major Burns, 滿口官僚和虛偽的理想言論. 這邊廂要討伐腐敗至上的醫護人員, 那邊廂便如狼似虎般火速搭上 (到最後連Hot Lips也加入成為《M*A*S*H*》的一份子) . Hawkeye和Trapper替藝妓的美日混血嬰兒(!) 急救, 醫院主管急急趕來, 阻止他們非法濫用醫院資源, 兩人連同麻醉師 (Michael Murphy, 《Tanner 88'》) 拍下對方的艷照作要脅之用... 諸如此類的鬧劇多不勝數, 但Robert Altman的用意, 其實再明白不過.
影片還要加插型仔軍醫Duke Forrest (Tom Skeritt) 跟Hot Lips稍後搭上, 影片結尾Hawkeye和Duke Forrest收到通知回家去, 這時候Duke Forrest 和Hot Lips正在動手術, Duke Forrest的第一個反應是幻想 (現實) 回家到埗衝向妻兒們團聚, 接著是幻想停止, 跟Hot Lips來個不捨的眼神交流. 在軍營過著快樂的嬉皮生活, 終究要回到現實 (國家) 裡頭 (電視版沒有Duke Forrest 的出現, 卻由電視版的Hawkeye 和Trapper 透露他回家開玩具店, 幸運中的一點無奈).
負責劇本的是「荷里活十君子」(Hollywood Ten) 的Ring Lardner Jr. 直到1969年在《M*A*S*H* 》才重用自己的真名工作. 他透露原先創作的劇本, 其實已被Robert Altman改動了許多. 但他仍然憑此得到奧斯卡最佳改篇劇本獎. 歷史與現實交集而產生的荒謬, 再一次證明當權者的愚昧.
電視版《M*A*S*H* 》(1973) Pilot Part 1
電視版《M*A*S*H* 》(1973) Pilot Part 3
《M*A*S*H* 》電視版延續了影片的喜劇感, 而且有增無減. (電視版由72年開始長演下去, 83年為止)
Theme Song《Suicide is Painless》, 由Robert Altman的兒子Michael (當時14歲) 負責作詞 (為的是要向老父得到一把結他)
Through early morning fog I see
visions of the things to be
the pains that are withheld for me
I realize and I can see...
that suicide is painless
It brings on many changes
and I can take or leave it if I please.
I try to find a way to make
all our little joys relate
without that ever-present hate
but now I know that it's too late, and...
The game of life is hard to play
I'm gonna lose it anyway
The losing card I'll someday lay
so this is all I have to say.
The only way to win is cheat
And lay it down before I'm beat
and to another give my seat
for that's the only painless feat.
The sword of time will pierce our skins
It doesn't hurt when it begins
But as it works its way on in
The pain grows stronger...watch it grin, but...
A brave man once requested me
to answer questions that are key
is it to be or not to be
and I replied 'oh why ask me?'
'Cause suicide is painless
it brings on many changes
and I can take or leave it if I please.
...and you can do the same thing if you please.
