Review of The Player (1992) by Aram F — 09 Apr 2005
[i]The Player[/i] greatly satirizes and illustrates complaints about the Hollywood machine: artistic bankruptcy. The derivative manner in which the pitches are given the to executives at the production studio in question is mocking the ripping off of previous ideas, and placing them in new packages.
Tim Robbins is great as Griffin Mill, playing a film executive that as much a charming, selfish, lying scumbag as was expected. The production studio is portrayed as this almighty force, manipulating people and situations to their gain, while having the clout to get away with anything.
The ending of the movie is brilliant, raising questions about the balance between artistic integrity versus paying your bills, and active critics enjoying the very exploitative thing that they believe they're condemning.
Thankfully, it doesn't force upon the viewer any easy answers. I don't think that the romance between Griffin and June added much to the film, other than reinforcing the idea that film executives can take whatever they want, and get away with it.
I felt those scenes took away from the film's pace, and didn't add anything that needed to be there.
This review of The Player (1992) was written by Aram F on 09 Apr 2005.
The Player has generally received very positive reviews.
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