IMDb > The Player (1992)
The Player
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The Player (1992) More at IMDbPro »

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The Player -- hv post

Overview

User Rating:
7.7/10   28,445 votes »
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Down 7% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers (WGA):
Michael Tolkin (screenplay)
Michael Tolkin (novel)
Contact:
View company contact information for The Player on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
10 April 1992 (USA) See more »
Tagline:
Now more than ever! See more »
Plot:
A studio executive is being blackmailed by a writer whose script he rejected but which one? Loaded with Hollywood insider jokes. Full summary » | Add synopsis »
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 30 wins & 12 nominations See more »
User Reviews:
Classic referred to by journalists, reviewers...has entered the lexicon See more (128 total) »

Cast

  (in credits order) (verified as complete)

Tim Robbins ... Griffin Mill

Greta Scacchi ... June Gudmundsdottir

Fred Ward ... Walter Stuckel

Whoopi Goldberg ... Detective Avery

Peter Gallagher ... Larry Levy

Brion James ... Joel Levison

Cynthia Stevenson ... Bonnie Sherow

Vincent D'Onofrio ... David Kahane

Dean Stockwell ... Andy Civella

Richard E. Grant ... Tom Oakley

Sydney Pollack ... Dick Mellon

Lyle Lovett ... Detective DeLongpre

Dina Merrill ... Celia

Angela Hall ... Jan
Leah Ayres ... Sandy

Paul Hewitt ... Jimmy Chase

Randall Batinkoff ... Reg Goldman

Jeremy Piven ... Steve Reeves

Gina Gershon ... Whitney Gersh
Frank Barhydt ... Frank Murphy
Mike Kaplan ... Marty Grossman (as Mike E. Kaplan)
Kevin Scannell ... Gar Girard
Margery Bond ... Witness
Susan Emshwiller ... Detective Broom
Brian Brophy ... Phil
Michael Tolkin ... Eric Schecter
Stephen Tolkin ... Carl Schecter
Natalie Strong ... Natalie
Peter Koch ... Walter (as Pete Koch)

Pamela Bowen ... Trixie

Jeff Celentano ... Rocco (as Jeff Weston)

Steve Allen ... Himself

Richard Anderson ... Himself

Rene Auberjonois ... Himself

Harry Belafonte ... Himself

Shari Belafonte ... Herself

Karen Black ... Herself

Michael Bowen ... Himself

Gary Busey ... Himself

Robert Carradine ... Himself
Charles Champlin ... Himself

Cher ... Herself

James Coburn ... Himself

Cathy Lee Crosby ... Herself

John Cusack ... Himself
Brad Davis ... Himself

Paul Dooley ... Himself
Thereza Ellis ... Herself

Peter Falk ... Himself

Felicia Farr ... Herself
Katarzyna Figura ... Herself (as Kasia Figura)

Louise Fletcher ... Herself

Dennis Franz ... Himself

Teri Garr ... Herself

Leeza Gibbons ... Herself

Scott Glenn ... Himself

Jeff Goldblum ... Himself

Elliott Gould ... Himself

Joel Grey ... Himself

David Alan Grier ... Himself

Buck Henry ... Himself

Anjelica Huston ... Herself (as Angelica Huston)

Kathy Ireland ... Herself

Steve James ... Himself
Maxine John-James ... Herself

Sally Kellerman ... Herself

Sally Kirkland ... Herself

Jack Lemmon ... Himself

Marlee Matlin ... Herself

Andie MacDowell ... Herself

Malcolm McDowell ... Himself

Jayne Meadows ... Herself

Martin Mull ... Himself

Jennifer Nash ... Herself

Nick Nolte ... Himself

Alexandra Powers ... Herself
Bert Remsen ... Himself
Guy Remsen ... Himself
Patricia Resnick ... Herself

Burt Reynolds ... Himself

Jack Riley ... Himself

Julia Roberts ... Herself

Mimi Rogers ... Herself

Annie Ross ... Herself

Alan Rudolph ... Himself

Jill St. John ... Movie Star

Susan Sarandon ... Herself
Adam Simon ... Himself

Rod Steiger ... Himself
Joan Tewkesbury ... Herself

Brian Tochi ... Himself

Lily Tomlin ... Herself

Robert Wagner ... Himself

Ray Walston ... Himself

Bruce Willis ... Himself

Marvin Young ... Himself
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Althea Gibson ... Herself (uncredited)
Ted Hartley ... Party Guest (uncredited)
Jack Jason ... Himself (uncredited)
James McLindon ... Jim the Writer (uncredited)
Derek Raser ... Studio Mail Driver (uncredited)

Scott Shaw ... Himself (uncredited)

Patrick Swayze ... Himself (uncredited)

Dan Twyman ... Funeral Guest (uncredited)
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Directed by
Robert Altman 
 
Writing credits
(WGA)
Michael Tolkin (screenplay)

Michael Tolkin (novel "The Player")

Produced by
Cary Brokaw .... executive producer
David Brown .... producer
Scott Bushnell .... co-producer
William S. Gilmore .... co-executive producer
David Levy .... associate producer
Michael Tolkin .... producer
Nick Wechsler .... producer
 
Original Music by
Thomas Newman 
 
Cinematography by
Jean Lépine (director of photography) (as Jean Lepine)
 
Film Editing by
Maysie Hoy 
Geraldine Peroni 
 
Production Design by
Stephen Altman 
 
Art Direction by
Jerry Fleming 
 
Set Decoration by
Susan Emshwiller 
 
Costume Design by
Alexander Julian (wardrobe designer)
 
Makeup Department
Deborah K. Larsen .... makeup artist (as Deborah Larsen)
Scott Williams .... hairdresser
 
Production Management
Jim Chesney .... production supervisor
Tom Udell .... unit production manager
 
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
C.C. Barnes .... second assistant director (as CC Barnes)
Allan F. Nicholls .... first assistant director (as Allan Nicholls)
 
Art Department
Matthew R. Altman .... set dresser (as Matthew Altman)
John Beauvais .... scenic painter
Peter Borck .... leadman
Charles Bragg .... title painting
John Bucklin .... set dresser
Thomas Calloway .... carpenter
Sydney Cooper .... artwork
Loren Corney .... construction coordinator
John Evans .... carpenter
Kenny Funk .... carpenter (as Kenneth Funk)
Michelle Guastello .... art department coordinator (as Michele Guastello)
Julie Heuer .... assistant property master
Justin Kritzer .... carpenter
Darryl Lee .... carpenter
Chris Marneus .... carpenter
Patrick Maurer .... construction foreman (as Pat Maurer)
James Monroe .... property master
Mario Pérez .... swing gang (as Mario Perez)
Ricky Riggs .... painter
David Ronan .... set dresser
Daniel C. Rothenberg .... swing gang (as Daniel Rothenberg)
Jim Samson .... set dresser
W.C. Nearhood Jr. .... carpenter (uncredited)
 
Sound Department
Kenneth R. Burton .... sound effects editor (as Ken Burton)
Robert Deschaine .... foley mixer (as Bob Deschaine)
Rich Gooch .... recordist
Joseph Holsen .... dialogue editor
Paul Holzborn .... foley artist (as Paul Holtzborn)
Matthew Iadarola .... re-recording mixer
David Jobe .... foley recordist
Stanley Kastner .... sound re-recording mixer
Edmund J. Lachmann .... dialogue editor (as Ed Lachmann)
John Post .... foley artist
John Pritchett .... production sound mixer
Michael P. Redbourn .... supervising sound editor (as Michael Redbourn)
Joel Shryack .... boom operator
Emily Smith-Baker .... cable puller
Bill Ward .... assistant sound editor
John Rotondi .... sound engineer: Y4 (uncredited)
John Soukup .... sound transfer (uncredited)
 
Special Effects by
John C. Hartigan .... special effects (as John Hartigan)
 
Stunts
Greg Walker .... stunt coordinator
 
Camera and Electrical Department
Robert Reed Altman .... first assistant camera
Robert Bruce .... electrician
Andy Day .... best boy electric (as Andrew Day)
Val DeSalvo .... electrician (as Val De Salvo)
Kevin Fahey .... grip
Michael James Fahey .... best boy grip (as Michael J. Fahey)
Craig Finetti .... third assistant camera
Scott Hollander .... grip (as Scott 'El Gato' Hollander)
Anthony T. Marra II .... key grip
Daniel Cary McCrystal .... second assistant camera (as Cary McKrystal)
Tom McGrath .... electrician
Don Muchow .... gaffer
Tim Nash .... grip
Chris Reddish .... electrician
Lorey Sebastian .... still photographer
Wayne Stroud .... dolly grip
Scott Hamilton .... still photographer (uncredited)
Al Luis .... electrician (uncredited)
 
Costume and Wardrobe Department
Angela Billows .... wardrobe assistant
Vickie Brinkford .... wardrobe assistant (as Vicki Brinkkord)
Lydia Tanji .... wardrobe supervisor
 
Editorial Department
Alisa Hale .... second assistant editor
Bob Hart .... negative cutter
A. Michelle Page .... assistant editor
Mike Stanwick .... color timer (as Michael Stanwick)
Dylan Tichenor .... apprentice editor
John Dowdell .... hd colorist (uncredited)
 
Music Department
Bill Bernstein .... music editor
Thomas Pasatieri .... orchestrator
John Vigran .... music scoring mixer
 
Transportation Department
Chris Armstrong .... driver (as Christopher Armstrong)
Ron Chesney .... driver
Steve Earle .... driver
Don Feeney .... driver
D.J. Gardiner .... driver
Derek Raser .... transportation coordinator
J.T. Thayer .... transportation captain (as 'J.T.' Thayer)
Gregg Willis .... driver (as Greg Willis)
 
Other crew
Alison Balian .... assistant: Nick Wechsler
Andrea Berty .... craft service
Angie Bonner .... production assistant
Paul D. Boydston .... assistant location manager (as Paul Boydston)
Jim Brockett .... animal trainer
John O. Brown III .... production assistant (as John Brown III)
Betsy Chasse .... assistant coordinator
Stacy Cohen .... production secretary
Celia Converse .... representative: Sandcastle 5
Signe Corriere .... production assistant
Steve Day .... production assistant
Kimberly Edwards .... production accountant (as Kimberly Edwards Shapiro)
Judy Geletko .... additional accounting services
Robin Hage .... assistant: Cary Brokaw
Sheri Halfon .... financial representative: Avenue
Pamela Hedley .... production executive
Cynthia Hill .... production coordinator
Kelly Householder .... production assistant
Lawrence Karman .... karaoke videos (as Larry 'Doc' Karman)
Jack Kney .... location manager
Danielle Knight .... assistant: Cary Brokaw
Cheryl Kurk .... assistant accountant
Claudia Lewis .... production executive
Stuart McCauley .... craft service
James McLindon .... assistant: Robert Altman (as Jim McLindon)
Tom Moore .... set medic
Dan Perri .... title designer
Carole Starkes .... script supervisor
Andrew Varela .... promotions arranger
Catherine Webb .... post-production accountant
Michael Hubert .... assistant coordinator (uncredited)
Julie Kuehndorf .... unit publicist (uncredited)
Chris Paine .... assistant to writer and producer (uncredited)
 
Thanks
Janis Dinwiddie .... special thanks
Mark Eisen .... special thanks
Morgan Entrekin .... special thanks
Luis Estevez .... special thanks
Bob Flick .... special thanks: Entertainment Tonight
Suzanne Goldman .... special thanks
Gerald Greenbach .... special thanks: Two Bunch Palms
Ron Haver .... special thanks
Randy Honaker .... special thanks
Julie Johnston .... special thanks
Patrick Murray .... special thanks
Toyoko Nezu .... special thanks
Mimi Rabinowitz .... special thanks
Steve Trombatore .... special thanks: All Payments
 
Crew verified as complete


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Additional Details

Also Known As:
MPAA:
Rated R for language, and for some sensuality
Runtime:
124 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 See more »
Sound Mix:
Certification:

Did You Know?

Trivia:
The rushes from the movie being filmed with Scott Glenn and Lily Tomlin were filmed while the actors were rehearsing the scene.See more »
Goofs:
Crew or equipment visible: In a tracking shot during the confrontation between Mill and the screenwriter, the camera and cameraman are reflected in the black paint of the SUV.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 »
Movie Connections:
References M (1951)See more »
Soundtrack:
PRECIOUSSee more »

FAQ

What actors make cameo apperences as themselves ?
See more »
17 out of 18 people found the following review useful.
Classic referred to by journalists, reviewers...has entered the lexicon, 13 July 2005

Robert Altman performed a great service to us movie fans with this movie. We are able to see the brutish way the studios treat their writers....and don't find it difficult to believe that some writer would want to murder the producer.

The many homages paid to other movies is great: the execution scene from "I want to Live" is replayed, and Bruce Willis jumping in the midst of the cyanide fumes to rescue the damsel in distress makes the contrast with the Graham movie even more poignant (especially if you believe she was innocent). Watching the various emotions play across Tim Robbins face makes you understand what a great actor he is.

The convoluted plot makes the movie more interesting, even as we see a Palm Springs lovers' rendezvous where some lovers swim in the nude in front of others dancing. You don't know what's true and what's not, even when the producer's ex-girlfriend is left sobbing on the steps. It seems too melodramatic for reality, but melodrama is what these people are all about!!!!! Altman's favorite trick of having everybody talk over each other is, while realistic, disconcerting. I still wish I could have heard what Burt Reynolds was saying, nothing complimentary, when Robbins walked up to him at the restaurant. Watching the writers become sycophants, prostituting their 'art' just to get the movie made rang QUITE true. He backs down on both 'no stars' and 'no Hollywood ending'. The only one with morals involved in the movie business gets fired, of course.

One of the movies you need to have on your shelf. Now I've got to go back and watch for Robbins' many references to different brands of water, pointed out by the NYTimes just today.

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Player (1992)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Question and theory tim_sf3
What does the ending mean? potato2
recommendations? DrMinaker
Griffen's mind set on the killing dragonstephen-1
Just wondering... mlmerit
Could somebody please explain the twist ending to me here? dhchevalier
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