1934. THE MOB PLAYED KANSAS CITY LIKE A SMOOTH JAZZ RIFF. UNTIL ONE WOMAN STARTED TO IMPROVISE.

In 1934, a Kansas City politician’s wife (Miranda Richardson) is kidnapped by a woman (Jennifer Jason Leigh) who wants to save her husband who’s being held by a local Mob kingpin (Harry Belafonte).

Robert Altman returned to the 1930s gangster themes of Thieves Like Us (1974) and comes up with an engaging but empty film.

Engaging, because of the live music that’s frequently being performed between scenes by a band of 1990s jazz stars acting as giants of that day. Empty, because the story doesn’t move much. Belafonte is good, though.

1996-U.S. 116 min. Color. Produced and directed by Robert Altman. Screenplay: Frank Barhydt, Robert Altman. Cast: Jennifer Jason Leigh (”Blondie” O’Hara), Miranda Richardson (Carolyn Stilton), Harry Belafonte (”Seldom Seen”), Michael Murphy, Steve Buscemi, Dermot Mulroney.