‘Kansas City’ ‘30s Period Flick

Despite a problematic lead performance by Jennifer Jason Leigh, Robert Altman’s “Kansas City” ranks among his better efforts. This 1934 period piece portrays a world in which politics and crime mingle openly, relegating privilege to the rich, oppression to the poor. Only the rhythms of a jazz band, capturing the feel of the form’s legends, compensates for that disparity. , DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo