The Player is one of my favorite films about the movie industry. It is a sadistic and sarcastic (and sometimes honest) glimpse into the workings of the machinery behind Hollywood. One of the aspects I find so fascinating about it is that normally for a film to be considered successful or mainstream, there has to be a likable or at least “everyman” type character to stick with and relate to. In this instance, you may not be able to relate or connect with any of the characters on screen, as they play versions of their public personas, and yet watching these people is so stimulating that your eyes can’t leave the screen.
Tim Robbins performance is truly engaging in this film. He is not very likable (though charismatic), and yet in some ways he pales in comparison to his peers and in others fits right in where he is. He cheats on his woman and acts like a stereotypical studio jerk, which he obviously gets paid well for. His downward slide is aptly gradual and unnerving and the fact that he is able to get away with murder provides a fantastic commentary on the issues of power, not to mention what humans do when put to the test.
Another spin on this latter theory is the wonderful sideplot of the writers pitching Robbins a script. They are so dead set against anything being changed, and yet in exchange for success, end up giving up any creative control they wished to retain. In the end, after watching this film, it really hits home just what it takes to get ahead in this glossy town. It’s all believable enough to doubt that it could happen while realizing that these situations probably occur everyday and we just don’t know about it. And that’s the eerie part.
The way in which the film is shot only adds to the adrenalized suffocation you feel as an audience member watching this. Because you don’t emotionally connect with these characters but observe them close enough to be a part of their world, you become suffocated in the same environment that Robbins can’t escape. And though you may not like him, you may feel yourself sweating alongside him as the camera either roams from one famous cameo to another, or stays stationary in order that we are able to soak in the dramatic changes overcoming Robbins.
And for all of the negativity displayed or implied on the screen, the script is still filled to the brim with original humor and an immense amount of charm (you can’t help but laugh at Robbins in a really ugly looking mud bath). You do not have to know, or care for that matter, about anything related to the film business to enjoy the film either (which I heard as a reason why some people I know hadn’t seen it yet).
**As a side note, Richard E. Grant wrote a wonderful section in With Nails explaining his work in this film. It was apparently an unique experience of working with someone like Altman, who seems to be merely an observer who puts the pieces together later on, which is somewhat of a similar audience reaction to his films.
Product DetailsOriginal Title:The Player (Special Edition) - New Line Platinum SeriesActors: Robbins, Tim - Scacchi, Greta - Ward, Fred - Whoopi Gold...More at iNetVideo.com
Robert Altman's adaptation of Michael Tolkin's novel gives the notorious director a chance to address perhaps his greatest nemesis: the Hollywood stud...More at Family Video
Epinions.com periodically updates pricing and product information from third-party sources, so some information may be slightly out-of-date. You should confirm all information before relying on it.
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.