Review of The Player (1992) by Ben B — 05 May 2010
Robert Altman definitely has a cynical, subversive prankster side to him which is alive and well in The Player. It's a comedy, a thriller, an attack on Hollywood, and altogether very satisfying and entertaining. I'm not sure that I could see myself returning to The Player again and again or anything, but I definitely had a good time watching it. Tim Robbins is solid as a sleazy, desperate Hollywood producer, making his character weirdly sympathetic despite being an all-around douchebag, and Gretta Scacchi is also oddly fascinating as his unusual girlfriend. Robert Altman keeps things moving at a fast pace, often moving into some dark, oddly unexpected places. My favorite moments of The Player are the strange little details, whether it's one of the many random celebrity cameos or the casual, off-topic conversations. Those improvisational, offhand moments are what give Altman films their own unique style.
My ratings of Altman films:
1. McCabe and Mrs Miller - 10.
2. The Long Goodbye - 9.
3. Short Cuts - 8.
4. The Player - 8.
5. Brewster McCloud - 7.
6. A Prairie Home Companion - 7.
7. Images - 7.
This review of The Player (1992) was written by Ben B on 05 May 2010.
The Player has generally received very positive reviews.
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