Review of The Player (1992) by Iluv2Viddyfilms . — 24 Dec 2006

Robert Altman came back strong in the 90's after this delightful modern film-noir. Tim Robins plays a studio vice president, who's main job is to sit back and listen to writers pitch him ideas for movies. As he explains, he can only give the go-ahead to a limited ammount, and even a few ammount, 12, ever become movies. To a certain extent I would guess Altman used many of his own experiences in Hollywood as a maverick director dealing with studio suits. After all can you imagine what it would have been like for the young director to make a Warren Beatty western in which he dies frozen in the snow at the end? But I think Robert Altman was one of our greatest filmmakers and it was sad to see him pass on this year. The Player has a lot to say and is a great satire of the business, though it never goes overboard, as the main point is the plot. Tim Robins gets himself involved in an accidental killing and must clear himself of the murder. That's what our interest is, but its Altman's charming storytelling that holds us glued to the screen. The Player is also noteworthy for having a gazillion and one celebrity cameos, but the thing was filmed all around Hollywood. It's one of the better movies about the movies. The in-film references never get old. And the ending is perfect. Many people I've read on forums complain about how it didn't make sense. To them I can only guess they weren't paying attention and need to watch the movie again because it's a hilarious and bitter ending and even if it isn't plausible, it's still a hoot and makes perfect sense. Especially since the entire time Altman was explaining how Hollywood usually botches movies with happy endings. Yet I understand a lot of people don't seem to "get" Altman. At the risk of sounding like a pompous ass, I'm glad I get him.

Grade: A-.