The Player (1992)

Synopsis of The Player

Robert Altman takes a scalpel to Hollywood ethics in the 1990s (or the lack thereof) in his acidic satire The Player, adapted from Michael Tolkin's novel. (Tolkin also wrote the screenplay.) The film concerns a sleek and smooth Hollywood studio executive who starts receiving death threats from a disgruntled writer because he has committed the ultimate Hollywood sin -- he promised the writer he would call him back and he never did. This is particularly ironic because the studio executive, Griffin Mill (Tim Robbins), is considered "writer-friendly," spending his days listening to pitches from such noted screenwriters as Buck Henry, who is pushing "The Graduate, Part II" and Alan Rudolph, who is hawking a Bruce Willis action film described as "Ghost meets The Manchurian Candidate." But The Player finds Griffin's comfortable life style in danger of collapse. He is trying to find a way to unload his girlfriend (Cynthia Stevenson) whose independence and intelligence make her a poor candidate for a trophy wife. More importantly, it seems that Larry Levy (Peter Gallagher), a slippery executive from Twentieth Century Fox, is angling for his job. And then there are those nasty postcards and faxes from a screenwriter threatening to kill him. Altman cast over 65 stars in cameo roles as texture for his scabrous tale. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi

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Theatrical Feature Running Time:

124 mins

Director(s):

Robert Altman

Writer(s):

Michael Tolkin

Producer(s):

Michael Tolkin, Nick Wechsler, William S. Gilmore

Theatrical MPAA Rating:

R(Sexual Situations, Not For Children, Questionable for Children, Adult Humor, Adult Situations, Profanity, Nudity, Violence)

Categories:

Comedy

• 1992 - Cannes Film Festival - Best Director
• 1992 - Cannes Film Festival - Best Actor
• 1992 - Golden Globe - Best Picture - Musical or Comedy
• 1992 - Hollywood Foreign Press Association - Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy
• 1992 - Hollywood Foreign Press Association - Best Picture - Musical or Comedy
• 1992 - Independent Spirit Awards - Best Picture
• 1992 - National Society of Film Critics - Best Director (Runner-up)
• 1992 - New York Film Critics Circle - Best Cinematography
• 1992 - New York Film Critics Circle - Best Director
• 1992 - New York Film Critics Circle - Best Picture

Warning:  This product is intended for mature audiences only. It may contain violence, sexual content, drug abuse and/or strong language. You must be 17 or older to purchase it. By ordering this item you are certifying that you are at least 17 years of age.

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