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The Player (1992) 7.7
Ratings:
7.7/10 from 31,019 users
Metascore: 86/100
Reviews: 130 user | 59 critic | 20 from Metacritic.com A studio executive is being blackmailed by a writer whose script he rejected but which one? Loaded with Hollywood insider jokes. Director:Robert Altman |
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Title: The Player (1992)
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Tim Robbins | ... | ||
| Greta Scacchi | ... | ||
| Fred Ward | ... | ||
| Whoopi Goldberg | ... | ||
| Peter Gallagher | ... |
Larry Levy
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| Brion James | ... | ||
| Cynthia Stevenson | ... |
Bonnie Sherow
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| Vincent D'Onofrio | ... |
David Kahane
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| Dean Stockwell | ... |
Andy Civella
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| Richard E. Grant | ... |
Tom Oakley
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| Sydney Pollack | ... |
Dick Mellon
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| Lyle Lovett | ... |
Detective DeLongpre
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| Dina Merrill | ... | ||
| Angela Hall | ... |
Jan
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| Leah Ayres | ... |
Sandy
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Plot Summary
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Add Synopsis
Storyline
A studio script screener gets on the bad side of a writer by not accepting his script. The writer is sending him threatening postcards. The screener tries to identify the writer in order to pay him off so he'll be left alone, and then in a case of mistaken identity gone awry, he accidentally gives the writer solid ammunition for blackmail. This plot is written on a backdrop of sleazy Hollywood deals and several subplots involving the politics of the industry. Written by Ed Sutton <esutton@mindspring.com>
Taglines:
In Hollywood, it's not who you know, it's who you kill. See more »Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
Rated R for language, and for some sensuality | See all certifications »Parents Guide:
View content advisory »
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See full technical specs »
Details
Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
10 April 1992 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Las reglas del juego See more »Box Office
Gross:
$21,706,100 (USA)Company Credits
Production Co:
Avenue Pictures Productions, Spelling Entertainment, Addis Wechsler Pictures See more »
Show detailed
company contact information
on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
Ultra StereoColor:
ColorAspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1
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Man 1: [voiceover] Quiet on the set.
Woman: [voiceover] OK, everybody, quiet on the set.
Man 2: [voiceover] Scene 1, take 10. Marker.
Man 1: [voiceover] And - action!
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
During the funeral scene, the writer giving the eulogy is wearing the same outfit as David Kahane when he was murdered (boots, blue jeans, red shirt, brown sportscoat and glasses). See more »Goofs
When Griffin opens his door to get out and kill the snake, you can see the entire crew, camera, and lights reflected in the door. See more »Quotes
[first lines]Man 1: [voiceover] Quiet on the set.
Woman: [voiceover] OK, everybody, quiet on the set.
Man 2: [voiceover] Scene 1, take 10. Marker.
Man 1: [voiceover] And - action!
See more »
Robert Altman gets under my skin. His films are worthy of great respect, yet they are frequently as irritating as they are brilliant. The Player is, as much as Short Cuts, a quintessential Altman film. It is also one of the best roles Tim Robbins has ever enjoyed.
This film is about Hollywood's dark underbelly. The Player eviscerates its subject by twisting justice, political gamesmanship and artistic integrity into new configurations. For non-film-buffs or non-professionals some of the humor may seem too subtle to notice. To film buffs and insiders, the humor is totally over the top.
Robbins plays a young studio exec who is playing the game to win and seems, at least part of the time, to have a conscience. Everything is going along fine for him until he starts receiving threatening calls and letters from a writer whose screenplays he has rejected, and an arch-rival is promoted to a position just above his own. Paranoia and real danger seem in the periphery of every scene in his life, as the make-believe of his industry and the reality of his life begin to blend freely.
Robbins makes a character who could easily have been totally unlikeable somehow sympathetic. Despite his amazing performance, liking the character makes you feel as if you should go stand in a shower and exfoliate for an hour or so. He is supported by excellent supporting work all around. Especially good are the two major women's roles - played by Greta Scachi and Bonnie Sherrow, and veteran camp character Dean Stockwell.
The photography is liberally and amusingly lifted from several classic thrillers, mysteries and dramas, and comes off fresh and original - not at all like a DePalmaesque bit of visual plagiarism. And the pace is brisk.
The Player is probably my favorite Altman film, and it is easily my favorite Tim Robbins film. It's entertaining, intelligent and, well, it has a bad attitude. See it some night when you're angry and you need a good dark laugh.