Robert Altman, who directed The Player, has a history of run-ins with Hollywood studios. Perhaps it should come as no surprise then that a movie that pokes fun at the film industry would be one of his best. In fact, if this was an arguement, he seems to have had the last word. Anyone who has ever dreamed of coming to Hollywood to make it as a star would surely have second thoughts if they watched this. The movie highlights the moral bankruptcy that can run rampant in the world of movie making.

The writing credits for the movie are adapted for the screen by Michael Tolkin from a novel by Michael Tolkin. It is always a good sign, in my opinion anyway, when the author of the book has a leading role in writing the adaptation of his work.

The movie features cameos of much of Hollywood's glitterati and blends real life (or what passes for it in Hollywood) with fiction beautifully. Griffin Mill (Tim Robbins) is a studio exec who begins to fear (rightfully) for his job. His greatest concern occurs when upstart, flavor-of-the-month, new-boy-on-the-lot Larry Levy (Peter Gallagher) becomes the hot producer and wunderkind for the studio.
As if this was not stress enough, he is receiving threatening postcards from an unidentified writer whose script he has rejected. The big question is, which one? Eventually he is able to unravel the mystery of who is the source of the threats (or is it just who believes is the source....) to a writer named David Kahane (Vincent D'Onofrio). He arranges to meet the writer; the two argue. Calamity ensues. Almost the entire rest of the movie is Griffin struggling to keep his job, to avoid the street-wise cop who is investigating Kahane's murder (Whoopi Goldberg), and win the heart of Kahane's girlfriend (Greta Scacchi).

The Player is great satire. Much of the movie will appeal to the general audience. There are also a host of jokes that only people who work in the industry will get. Having seen it with people in and out of the industry, however, I can tell you that there is never a feeling of being on the outside or not getting the inside jokes.

My favorite scene in this movie is the opening scene. I like camera work in which the camera pans without cutting away from the action. Altman does a great job in staying on the action and not cutting away. While I was aware of liking these long un-cut shots before, I appreciate it even more these days when rapid cutting and weird camera angles so often are used to create tension and anxiety that actors and directors can't do with talent.

I finally got around to seeing this fun movie on DVD recently. The extras on the DVD include bios about the actors, 5 deleted scenes, a guide to cameos in the movie, production notes, trailers and a truly fascinating commentary by director Robert Altman and screenwriter Michael Tolkin.

I highly recommend this movie for adults. I don't think young teens will get it. Most of the R rating is based on strong language, minimal sexual content and a bit of violence.

Most movies one walks out of the theater and never really thinks about again. I've only seen this movie 3 times - once in the theater and twice besides. Despite this, the movie has stayed with me. Its images are powerful and its story intriguing and thought provoking.

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If you are interested in the other movies that made my top 10 of the 1990s list, check out the review at http://www.epinions.com/content_3084886148

Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older