The Player (1992)

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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, All Movie Guide

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.

Theatrical Feature Running Time:

124 mins

Complete Cast:

Director(s):

Robert Altman

Writer(s):

Michael Tolkin

Producer(s):

Michael Tolkin, William S. Gilmore, Nick Wechsler

Theatrical MPAA Rating:

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

Categories:

Comedy

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