It's always fascinating to go back and watch an early project from a now-legendary filmmaker, mostly because you get to see flashes of what's to come. And that's certainly true of That Cold Day in the Park (god, what a clunky title). This movie has its share of problems, but you can also clearly tell that it's the work of a young maverick who's on the right track.
When I think of Robert Altman, I think of cold environments, uncomfortable atmospheres, and miserable characters, captured through long takes and slow zooms, and all of that's present here. This is a psychological drama about two people who may not be quite as they seem, and his restrained-yet-mildly-unsettling direction keeps you wondering which one is actually in danger. Cool storytelling gimmick, honestly.
Granted, the execution isn't perfect yet (some of the early scenes are a little on the meander-y side, and the transition from drama to thriller happens kinda suddenly), but this is a generally compelling tale of repression and loneliness, made all the better by a vivid suburban setting and Sandy Dennis's wonderfully anxious performance.
Grade: B+