So, I figured its time for a new post and this one will feature new content (for a change lol!) and it will be on a film I recently watched, which is the satirical comedy, The Player, which was acclaimed on its release for its humorous yet scathing depiction of Hollywood execs and the studio system.
So, with that all said let's take another look at the Player and see how it fairs some 31 years later...
And the usual warning is coming...
PLOT SPOILERS ARE AHEAD!!!
STORY
So, the film centers around a Hollywood film executive, Griffin Mill (Tim Robbins) who is getting harrassed by a writer, who he apparently turned down in the past and is now sending Mill death threats via post cards. Mill takes it upon himself to then try and track down the writer himself and he ends up checking his office records, which lead him to a writer named David Kahane.
Mill then goes to meet with David Kahane (played by Vincent D'Onofrio) at a cinema where he is watching the Italian classic film, Bicycle Thieves. After the film, Mill introduces himself and they go to a bar where Mill offers Kahane a shot at making his film but Kahane turns him down and leaves. However after Mill leaves the bar, Kahane soon catches up with him and taunts him over how he knows Mill's job is under threat by another exec, Larry Levy (Peter Gallagher). When Mill angrily tells Kahane to stop sending him postcards, Kahane denies he ever did and as the two men continue to argue, Kahane pushes Mill off his feet when Mill puts his hand on Kahane's car window. However when Kahane decides to check Mill is OK, Mill suddenly grabs and drowns Kahane in a shallow pool of water. Realising what he's done, Mill then steals money from Kahane's wallet to make it look like a robbery and smashes Kahane's car window to destroy his fingerprints.
The next day, the studio security chief, Walter (Fred Ward) tells Mill about Kahane's murder but Mill denies that he killed Kahane but does admit that he did meet with him regarding making a deal for a movie. However at this point, Mill receives a fax from the mysterious writer confirming that he had killed the wrong man.
Mill then after attends Kahane's funeral and meets with Kahane's girlfriend and painter, June Gudmonsdottir (Greta Sachhi) who he spoke to the night of Kahane's death. Mill then takes June back home and they two of them appear to show a connection with one another despite Kahane's death, June is still taken by Mill and she takes a picture of him for one of her paintings.
Mill afterward receives another postcard from the mysterious writer telling him to meet with him alone at a bar. However at the night of the meeting, Mill is ambushed by two writers, Andy Sivela (Dean Stockwell) and Tom Oakley (Richard E Grant) who pitches an idea for a new movie where the female lead dies and the writer insists that there should be no Hollywood endings and no stars for the project, Mill intrigued tells the men to see him tomorrow to pitch the idea to Levy, who is now working at the same studio as Mill.
Mill however on leaving the bar, finds a package in his car and receives a fax again from the writer telling him to open the package, which is revealed to carry a rattlesnake. Mill, terrified pulls over and kills the snake by using an umbrella and he yells in anger at the writer's attempt to kill him. Mill afterward goes to visit June, clearly shaken by the event, he confesses his attraction to June but although she appears to feel the same, she tells Mill its too soon and he should go home and get some rest but he should call her to go out sometime.
The next day, Mill has his meeting with Andy and Tom as Tom pitches the idea to Levy, who is out driving. Levy is also intrigued by the pitch but balks at the suggestion of there being no stars but Mill tries to sell it to him and tells Andy and Tom that Levy liked the pitch and things look promising for them. However after they leave, Mill admits to his assistant he intends to let Levy take the project, so it will flop and he will take the credit for stepping in to save it.
Levy then pitches the idea to the head of the studio Joel Levison (Brion James) who is reluctant at first due to the downbeat ending but insists the film must have sex scenes to make up for it. Mill also insists that Levy take the project much to the surprise of his girlfriend and story editor Bonnie Sherow (Cynthia Stevenson) who suspects something is up with him and she also suspects he is seeing someone else but he denies it as he sends her on a project for the weekend. During the weekend however, Mill starts to see June as they two of them go out together for a Hollywood awards banquet.
Meanwhile the police are suspicious of Mill's involvement in Kahane's death and he is brought in for questioning by Detective Avery (Whoopi Goldberg). Avery makes some lurid comments about Mill's relationship with June and Mill refuses to disclose if they have had romantic relations or not much to the amusement of the police officers.
After the weekend however, Bonnie returns to find out that Mill has been seeing June and he coldly breaks up with her. Mill then decides to take June away for a romantic trip abroad but at the airport, Mill notices one of the cops that has been following him Detective DeLongpre (Lyle Lovett) and makes an excuse to June that he forgot his passport and decides to take her to a spa resort in the desert. At the resort, Mill tells June about his job and what he does and after they have sex during which Mil confesses his involvement in Kahane's murder but June forgives him.
However not long afterward, Mill receives a call from his lawyer (Sydney Pollack) who tells him that he is to appear at a police line-up as there has been an eye-witness to the murder. And its from here Mill's shaky future lies ahead as he hopes to escape being identified and survive the politics at the studio...
THOUGHTS
As a satire on Hollywood, The Player does a great job at showing the cut throat nature of the business and how ruthless some of the execs can be but at the same it also manages to be a funny and highly entertaining film. The film also features a star-studded cast with many famous Hollywood actors making cameo appearances throughout such as Julia Roberts, Bruce Willis, Jack Lemmon, Malcolm MacDowell and Burt Reynolds to name a few and plenty of established actors playing character roles in the film also. And the director, Robert Altman does a very skillful job at weaving the main story of Mill's drama while also juggling the Hollywood film stars that appear throughout in an effortless way that makes this one of his best films.
PERFORMANCES AND NOTABLE SCENES (Warning: this section may contain spoilers and strong language!).
As for the main cast, the performances are all excellent and the cast give it their best.
Starting with Tim Robbins, who is great in his role as Griffin Mill, a Hollywood exec, who is in over his head after accidentally killing a writer he believed to be hassling him but in the end its turns he got the wrong man.
And Tim has plenty of good scenes but I will just try and mention no more than a few to keep the post length down a bit. Starting with the scene where Mill meets with the studio security manager, Walter who confronts over his involvement in Kahane's murder, which Mill at first denies meeting with but then admits to but denies killing him.
So, in the scene Mill walks into his office to see Walter sitting there in Mill's chair with a basketball and Mill says to him "Hey, Walter, make yourself at home". Walter get's up and Mill smiles nervously and asks him "What are you doing here? You haven't come to pitch me a story" and Walter says "That's exactly what I've come here for. Its a good one too, its about a writer, sort of. David Kahane" and Mill looks uncomfortable and says "David Kahane...who's he?" and Walter says "Oh, you met him" and Mill smiles and says "I meet with alot of writers". Walter then says "Yeah but this writer was murdered last night outside the Rialto theatre in Pasedenaand Mill nervously asks "Murdered? What happened?" and Walter says "25 words or less? Alright. Exec calls writer, speaks to writer's girlfriend, exec goes to meet writer at the movies, writer dies conked in four feet of muddy water, exec is in deep shit. What do you think?" and Mill says "That's more than 25 words and its bullshit!".
Mill then admits "I didn't kill him, Walter. I know I said I didn't meet with him but I did" and Walter asks "Why did you lie to me?" and Mill nervously says "Its not a good time, Walter. Haven't you heard the rumours? I'm on my way out, its all I need is a little more controversy. Its not a good time, Walter!". Walter then tells Mill "Look, I am in charge of security in every defintion of the word. Its up to me to keep this very, very, very QUIET! Do you wanna help?" and Mill says "Of course" and Walter angrily says "Then stop lying! How many meetings did you have with this guy?" and Mill says "Just one" and Walter asks "Not counting last night?" and Mill says "Not counting last night".Walter continues to press Mill who anxiously says "For Christ's sake, Walter! What is this?" and Walter says "Its called the 3rd degree and if you don't like then wait until the police start asking questions!" and Mill angrily says "I'm going to the police right now and you come with me! You come with me!!". Walter then says "You sound like someone who's guilty! You're not guilty are you?" and Mill says "For the last time, I'm not a murderer!". However then a fax comes through, which is the from the mysterious writer and Walter asks "Is it bad news? The fax?" and Mill takes it and puts it in his jacket and says "No, business as usual".
Then there is the scene where Mill has a near death experience with a rattlesnake planted in his land rover by the unhinged writer. So, in the scene stops his land rover, get's out takes off his shirt and grabs an umbrella from the back and proceeds to beat the snake to death and he yells "YOU FUCKING DOGSHIT WRITER! YOU FUCKING TRY TO KILL ME???!!". And we cut to June doing one of her paintings and she looks up to see Mill stand outside her door and she let's him in and Mill is clearly shaken from the incident. So, Mill confesses to June he is attracted to her and says "I keep thinking about that night I first saw you as I stood outside and watching you and it all felt...fresh and new. And tonight all I could think of was you, I can't get you out of my mind". And June smiles and asks him "Are you making love to me?" and Mill smiles awkwardly and says "I guess I am! I wanna make love to you" but June says to him "Its too soon. Look why don't you go home and get some rest". June then opens the door for Mill and he get's up and says "Sorry" and June says "No, don't be sorry, just go home and get some sleep and then call me".
Another good scene is the one where Mill goes to police station to meet with Detective Avery and look at mug shots relating to Kahane's murder. So, in the scene Mill explains to Avery how he has befriended Kahane's girlfriend, June and Avery get's a bit crude as she asks about how far along they are in the relationship.
So, in the scene Mill tells Avery "Well, we spoke on the phone that night and at the funeral I met with her again and then one thing lead to another". Avery then bluntly asks "You fuck her?" and Mill taken aback asks "What kind of question is that?!" and Avery says "I think it was pretty direct. Did you fuck her?" and Mill tells her "Well, I don't think I would answer that question without a lawyer in the room and then, I don't think I'd even answer that question". Mill then looks over to DeLongpre who has been following Mill alot and says "Why don't you ask him? He's been following me everywhere the last few deaths". Avery then asks DeLongpre did they have sex and he says he didn't see them and she says to Mill "There ya go. You see? You got away with it!" and Mill angrily asks "What do you mean?" and Avery says "Well excuse me but I think its a bit early for her to be gallivanting in the streets with you!".Mill then tells her curtly "I there with her as a friend, Miss Avery. What is this? Fucking Iran?! I mean how long should we grief with someone? Should I follow the code of conduct for her?". And Avery and the other officers all starting laughing, which makes Mill more angry and he shouts "What the fuck are you laughing at???!".
And last of all is the scene where Mill takes June to the spa resort and they take a walk around the grounds at night as June asks Mill more about what he does. So, Mill tells her "Well, I listen to stories and decide which ones get made into pictures and once they get them made, they think its going to be them and Jack Nicholson on the slopes of Aspen. That's what they think. The only problem is, my studio can only say yes 12 times a year and sometimes I'm not nice and make enemies and that is what I was to David, an enemy". June asks "Was his story one of the 12?" and Mill tells her "No it wasn't" and she asks "Why not?" and Mill says "It lacked certain elements we needed to market a film successfully" and June asks "What elements?" and Mill says "Suspense, laughter, violence. Hope, heart, nudity, sex. Happy endings. Mainly happy endings". June then asks "What about reality?" and Mill smiles at her and asks "You're not from Iceland are you?" and June says "Did I say that? Then why don't you put me in the hotsprings and see if I melt?".
Greta Sacchi next up is excellent in her role as June, the girlfriend of David Kahane, who Mill becomes involved with after Kahane's murder.
And Sacchi has a few scenes of note such as the first when where Mill calls her and they talk for a little while as she paints. So, in the scene Mill asks about her surname "What is it?" and June sighs and says "Oh, here we go. Nobody can pronoucne it properly and you'll never get it" and Mill asks "Try me" and June says "OK. Gudmunsdottir" and she repeats for Mill and he says to back to her quite well and she smiles and says "Hey! Very good!". Mill then asks her "What do people usually say?" and June says "Oh! Anything from Godswater to Goolash-wallop!" and Mill laughs. Mill then asks where Kahane is and she says "He's at the movies?" and Mill "Which theatre?" and she says "The Rialto in the Pasedena. He always goes there" and Mill asks "What movie?" and she says "The Bicycle Thief, I think". Mill then says "Its a good movie, you seen it?" and June tells him "Ohh, I don't go to the movies" and Mill asks "Why not?" and she looks at him through the window and says "Life's too short. I'm gonna hang up now".
Then there is the scene where shortly after Kahane's funeral, Mill takes her home and they talk as June takes pictures of Mill for her paintings. So, as Mill looks around at her pictures he asks her "These are very interesting. I like them. Where do you show?" and June "Hmm?" and Mill says "Gallery. Who's your dealer?" and she says "I don't have a dealer. I could never sell these. They're never finished" and Mill asks "They're never finished?" and June says "No, they're just what I do. For myself. What I feel". Mill then mentions how people should pay for the crimes after Kahane's death is mentioned and June says "Really. Isn't knowing that you suffered for the crime enough? Maybe if you didn't suffer, it wasn't really a crime" and Mill smiles and says "You don't really believe that, do you?" and June says "Its not what I believe, its what I feel". Mill smiles and says to her "You know what you are, June whatever your name is? You're a pragmatic anarchist" and June laughs and says "Oh, is that what I am? I always wondered" and Mill takes a polaroid picture of her.
Then there is the scene where Mill shaken after his incident with the rattlesnake (or rattled even!) goes to June and he tells he's attracted to her. And Mill says "I can't get you out of my mind" and June asks "Are you making love to me?" and Mill laughs and says "I suppose I am. I want to make love to you" and after a moment June says "Its too soon". June then says "I think you better go now. I'm think going to cry now" and she opens the door for Mill and she says "You better go, quick". Mill get's up and says "I'm sorry" and June says "No, don't be sorry, just go home and get some sleep and call me".
And last of all is the scene where Mill takes June to the spa resort and they walk on the grounds and he tells her about what his job is about and how Kahane's story lacked certain key elements for its to be made into a movie. So, June then asks "What about reality?" and Mill looks at her and says" You're not from Iceland, are you?" and June smiles and says "Did I say that? Well, why don't you put me in the hotsprings and see if I melt".
Fred Ward is also very good in his role as Walter Stuckel, the studio's head of security, who tries to protect Mill after his suspicion of murder by the police.
And Ward's most notable scene is the one where Walter meets with Mill and tells him about Kahane's murder and the police's interest in him.
So, in the scene Mill at first denies meeting with Kahane but Walter tells him "Look, the police have a complete report. You were seen with Kahane at a Japanese bar. Why are you denying this?" and Mill admits "I didn't kill him, Walter. I did meet him. I know I said I didn't but I did" . Walter then asks "Why did you lie to me?" and Mill tells him "Its not a good time, Walter. You heard the rumors. I'm on my way out. That's all I need, a little more controversy!".
Walter then says to Mill ""Look, I am in charge of security in every definition of the word. Its up to me to keep this very, very, very QUIET! Do you wanna help?" and Mill says "Of course" and Walter angrily says "Then stop lying! How many meetings did you have with this guy?" and Mill says "Just one" and Walter asks "Not counting last night?" and Mill says "Not counting last night".Walter continues to press Mill who anxiously says "For Christ's sake, Walter! What is this?" and Walter says "Its called the 3rd degree and if you don't like then wait until the police start asking questions!" and Mill angrily says "I'm going to the police right now and you come with me! You come with me!!". Walter then says "You sound like someone who's guilty! You're not guilty are you?" and Mill says "For the last time, I'm not a murderer!". However then a fax comes through, which is the from the mysterious writer and Walter asks "Is it bad news? The fax?" and Mill takes it and puts it in his jacket and says "No, business as usual".
Whoopi Goldberg is also pretty good in her role as Detective Avery, who investigates Kahane's murder and suspects Mill is responsible but has no definitive proof but brings him in for questioning.
And Whoopi has some good scenes that include the one where Avery meets with Kahane at the studio and she asks him some questions about his meeting with Kahane. So, in the scene Avery asks about Mil and Kahane's meeting "Why did you not leave together?" and Mill tells her "Well, because I was so taken by the scene in the bar after David left, and then after that, it was just the bar and I don't drink" and Avery says "You drank with him?" and Mill smiles and says "Well, when in Rome". Avery then asks "Did you meet with him before?" and Mill says "No" and she asks "Did you know his girlfriend?" and Mill says "No". And then Walter interrupts and says "OK, let's get back to it" and Mill asks her "Something is bothering you, what is it?". And Avery says what her concerns are and asks about where he parked and Mill says to her "I park on the street. I feel safer there" and Avery asks "You mean if you drove a shitty car, you would park in a parking lot?" and Mill says "If I drove a shitty car, I'd be a dead man" and Avery says "Somehow I think you are too lucky for that. Thank you" and leaves.
Then there is the scene where Mill meets with Avery at the police station to look at some mug shots and she gets a bit personal over his relationship with June. So, in the scene Mill tells Avery "Well, we spoke on the phone that night and at the funeral I met with her again and then one thing lead to another". Avery then bluntly asks "You fuck her?" and Mill taken aback asks "What kind of question is that?!" and Avery says "I think it was pretty direct. Did you fuck her?" and Mill tells her "Well, I don't think I would answer that question without a lawyer in the room and then, I don't think I'd even answer that question". Mill then looks over to DeLongpre who has been following Mill alot and says "Why don't you ask him? He's been following me everywhere the last few deaths". Avery then asks DeLongpre "Paul, did you see Mr Mil fuck June Hoomphumter?" and DeLongpre says "I didn't see them" and she says to Mill "There ya go. You see? You got away with it!" and Mill angrily asks "What do you mean?" and Avery says "Well excuse me but I think its a bit early for her to be gallivanting on the streets with you!". And as Mill becomes angry at Avery's questions he says "What is this fucking Iran?" and as he carries on all the officer laughs including Avery and he shouts "What the fuck are you laughing at???!" and Avery between laughter says "Nothing its just...!" and she carries on laughing.
And last of all is the scene where Mill is taken to a line-up as the police have a witness to the murder but the witness in question struggles to identify Mill as the suspect. And in the scene she ends up picking out DeLongpre, who is in the line-up (God knows why though!) and she says "That's him! I swear to God!" and Avery sighs and says "Yes, I would say that's right" and after she asks the witness "Can I ask you a personal question? Where the fuck is your mother buried?!" and everyone (except the witness) laughs.
Cynthia Stevenson is also very good as Bonnie Sherow, Mill's girlfriend who also works as a story editor at the studio and he character is one of the sympathetic ones in the film as she ends up ultimately getting ditched by Mill.
And Cynthia has two scenes I will mention starting with the one where Bonnie confronts Mill over his strange behavior after Mill let's Larry Levy have the Habeus Corpus project he brought to the studio and since Kahane's death (which of course he kept from her). Mill also suggests that Bonnie go and check out a project involving the writer Tom Wolfe.
So, in the scene Bonnie asks Mill "What the hell is going on? Why did you give that project to Levy?" and Mill awkwardly tells her "I just think he had a good grip on the project that's all" and Bonnie says "The only good grip he has on anything is his dick and you know it!". Bonnie then asks him "What is going on with you? You're stringing me along like one of your goddamn writers!" and Mill says "Nothing is going on" and Bonnie says "You're not even looking me in the eye, Griffin!" and she asks him "Tell me, is there someone else?" and Mill at last looks at her and says "No." and he kisses her and says "Have a good trip".
And last of all is the scene near the end where the film Habeus Corpus is having a private screening with the exces and it has been changed to have a happy Hollywood ending much to Bonnie's disbelief. So, in the scene Bonnie says "What happened to original ending? How could you let him sell you out? What about reality? Truth?" and the film's writer, Tom tells Bonnie "What about the way the old ending tested in Canoga Park? Everybody hated it. We re-shot it, now everybody loves it. THAT'S reality!". And the other writer connected with the project asks Levy "Larry who is this person?" and Levy says to her "Goddamn it, Bonnie this is a hit! THIS is what we are here for" and Bonnie protests "But what about truth?" and Levy says "I want you out of here". Bonnie asks "What?" and Levy says "Bonnie, you're fired" and Bonnie angrily says "Fuck you!" and she storms out.
Peter Gallagher is excellent also in his role as Larry Levy, the suave executive, who threatens Mill's position at the studio.
And Gallagher's notable scenes include the one where Mill has a pitch setup with the two writers of Habeas Corpus for Levy, who is out driving his car. So, after the pitch, Mill takes it off the speaker phone and Mill asks him "What do you think?" and Levy says "Yeah its quite a story but what's this bullshit about no stars?!" and Mill tells him "This will remind Levison of his youth. You know what he used to say? No stars, only talent". Levy then says "OK, well why don't we meet with Levison?" and Mill asks him "What time?" and Levy says "I'll be there right after my AA meeting" and Mill smiles and says "Oh, Larry I didn't realise you had a drinking problem?" and Levy says "Well, I don't but that's where all the deals are made these days. I'll see you!".
Then there is the scene where Levy pitches Habeas Corpus to the studio head, Levison and he finishes the pitch by describing the end "The DA races to the penitentiary into the gas chamber but its too late, the gas pellets have already been dropped, she's dead. He failed to protect the woman he loved, the end". Levison bemused asks "That's it? Its depressing, it will bring everybody down" and Levy says "Joel, come on, how about Terms of Endearment? Steel Magnolias? ET grossed over 100 million and there wasn't a dry eye in the house!". Levison then asks "Do they screw? The DA and the woman, do they screw? If I'm gonna be looking at jail cells and gas chambers, there's gotta be at least some sex in here" and Levy says "Oh, yeah we'll work it in there".
And last of all is the scene where Habeas Corpus's private screening with the execs shows the slapped on happy ending and Bonnie afterward protests. And Bonnie says "What about truth?" and Levy frustrated says "Goddamn it, Bonnie. This is a hit! This is what we're her for" and Bonnie disagrees and Levy says "I want you out of here" and the other writer, Andy says "Good thinkin, Larry". Bonnie then angrily says "Fuck you!" and walks out and Levy says "Oh, its takes more to make in this business than just a dirty mouth".
Richard E Grant is great in his role as the script writer, Tom, who pitches Habeas Corpus to Mill and Levy, which is eventually made into a film, however its not quite as Tom originally realised.
So, I will mention the scene where Tom first pitches his script to Mill and he finishes it by saying to Mill "The DA races to the penitentiary but its too late, the gas pellets have been dropped, she's dead. I tell you, there isn't a dry eye in the house!"" and Mill asks "She's dead?" and Tom says "She's dead because that happens. That's reality". And Mill asks "Who's the DA?" and Tom says "Ah, no one!" and Mill asks "No one?" and Tom says "No stars. We're going out on a limb on this one" and Mill baffled asks "Why???" and Tom says "Because this story is too damn important to be ruined by personality. If I'm being perfectly honest, this isn't even an American film". Mill then says its an interesting idea and to drop by the studio tomorrow and as he goes, Tom shouts after him "Remember no stars! She has to die, no fucking Hollywood ending!" and the other writer Andy says "Tom say thank you!" and Tom hugs him.
And last of all is the scene near the end where Habeas Corpus has its private exec screening and we see it now has a slapped on happy Hollywood ending much to Bonnie's surprise and disappointment. And Bonnie asks Tom "How could you let him sell you out? What about truth? What about reality?" and Tom says to her "What about the way the old ending tested in Canoga park? Everybody hated it. We re-shot, now everybody loves it. THAT'S reality!".
Brion James is also pretty good in his role as Joel Levison, the studio head, who brings in Larry Levy but also brings his nephew to the studio, who is out looking for some ladies, which ends up having bad consequences for Levison.
And there are two scenes I will mention for James and the first is the one where Mill meets with Levison privately as Mill throws down the ultimatum that he won't work for Levy. So, in the scene Mill says to Levison "I will not work for Larry Levy" and Levison says "I'm not asking you to" and Mill says "I report to you. If I report to Larry Levy, I quit" and Levison surprised says "Can't quit. I won't let you quit. You have a year and a half left on your contract and I will sue you if don't show up in the office every day. With a smile". Mill then asks "Why Levy?" and Levison says "Levy was available. He's good on material. You're good with writers. He's a new team member, that's all. He can make us all look good". Levison asks Mill "Well?" and Mill says "I'll have to think about it" and Levison "I want your answer by this afternoon" and Mill leaves and says as he goes "I'll get back to you".
And then there is the scene where Levy pitches Habeas Corpus to Levison and describes the downbeat ending and Levy says "That's it? That's depressing. It will bring everybody down". However Levy insists there have been other Hollywood films with downbeat endings and they did well at the box office. Levy then asks about the film "Do they screw?" and Levy asks "What?" and Levison asks "The DA and girl, do they screw? If I am gonna be looking at jail cells and gas chambers, I'm gonna want to at least some sex here" and Levy says "Oh sure, well work it in".
Lyle Lovett also does pretty well in his role as Detective DeLongpre, the somewhat eccentric police officer, who spies on Mill a lot until his eventually introduces himself as a cop.
And I will mention two of his scenes with the first being the one where DeLongpre stops Mill as he drives out of his house and holds his badge up. And Delongpre says to Mill "Mr Mill, I'm Detective DeLongpre, Pasadena police". And Mill refers to a party he spotted DeLongpre at the night before and Mill says "Yes, I recognise you. Did you have a good time at the party last night?" and DeLongpre tells him "No. I'm not supposed to have a good time when I am on duty. I would like you to come with me" and Mill asks "Where?" and DeLongpre says "To the station, to look at some pictures" and Mill asks "pictures?" and DeLongpre says "Mug shots. You know, like in the movies". Mill then says "Alright" and DeLongpre "Will you follow me, sir. And fasten your seat belt please?".
Then there is the following scene where Avery at the station asks DeLongpre "Paul, what was that film you saw last night?" and DeLongpre says "Freaks" and Avery asks Mill "You know that one?" and Mill smiles and says "Todd Browning, yes its a classic". And DeLongpre quotes from the film "One of us, one of us, one of us!".
And last of all is Vincent D'Onofrio who is great as David Kahane, a disgruntled writer, who Mill ends up unwittingly killing in the back of a parking lot after they have a heated argument.
And there are two notable scenes with D'Onofrio starting with the one where Kahane and Mill talk in a Japanese bar and Kahane shares his experiences of living in Tokyo for a year as a student.
And in the scene Kahane says "I think about it a lot" and Mill says "You should have wrote about it" and Kahane says "I did. That was my pitch remember?" and Mill says "Of course I remember" and Kahane bitterly says "You didn't get back to me". Mill says "Listen, I was an asshole, it comes with the job. I wanna make you a deal, David. I'm not saying I'm gonna make your movie but I am gonna give you a shot. What do you say? Friends?" and he offers his hand. However Kahane angrily says "Fuck you, Mill! You lied to me. You didn't come to see the Bicycle Thief, you came in 5 minutes before the picture ended. You almost tripped over my feet! You're on my list, pal. Nothing's gonna change that!" and he get's up and makes to leave and says "See you in the next reel, asshole!" and walks out.
And then there is following scene where Mill and Kahane argue with another in the parking lot of the bar and the scene begins with Kahane taking a piss in the alley behind the bar and we see Mill go to his land rover on the street. So, Kahane looks up and says to him "That's a nice boat you got there, movie exec? Its David the writer. You still want my story?" and Mill says "I told you, you stop by the studio tomorrow and we'll work something out" and Kahane says "And who do I ask for? Larry Levy?" and he walks off leaving Mill agitated.
Mill then follows him and asks "What do you know about Larry Levy??" and Kahane says "Don't you read the trades? The New York times? He's on his way in, you're on your way out. He can't make a deal, yesterday's new. That's what they say!". Kahane then says to Mill "Can I borrow your mobile phone?" and he pretends to swipe Mill's phone and speak to Levy "Larry Levy? Yeah, David Kahane here. Guess who is making promises to writers to get pictures made in parking lots?! Guess which dumb son of a bitch is trying to take advantage of me?!". Kahane then turns to Mill and shouts at him "I can't wait to tell the world that when Griffin Mill can't cut the pressure at work, he makes movie deals in parking lots to WRITERS!!".
Mill the desperately follows Kahane and says "Look just stop with the postcards!" and Kahane yells at him "I DON'T WRITE POSTCARDS! I WRITE SCRIPTS!!" and Mill shouts back "You're wrong OK?!". Kahane then yells back "No, YOU'RE WRONG BUDDY! You're in over your head that's why you're losing your job. And then what are you gonna do?! I can write! What can you do?!". Kahane the goes to get in his car and Mill puts his hand on driver window and says "I said let's forget this!" and Kahane pushes the car door back sending Mill flying off into a ramp below. Kahane then realising what he's done says to himself "Shit!" and he jumps down to help Mill up and asks "Mill, are you OK? You alright?". However Mill then violently grabs Kahane and slams him face down into a shallow pool of water and yells "KEEP IT TO YOURSELF!!" three times as he dunks Kahane's face in the puddle three times and the holds it down for a while before letting him go but by then its too late and Kahane is already dead. Dun dun!
DIRECTOR
As for the director, Robert Altman does a terrific job with the film and he paces it brilliantly throughout and it rarely ever lags. Altman also deploys his usual techniques such as using overlapping dialogue between different actors, such an example is when Mill meets with Levison and we see Burt Reynolds take with someone. The opening sequence is also brilliantly done as it was done in one continuous take with cuts and lasts about seven minutes. Altman also expertly balances the star studded cameos alongside Mill's own melodrama throughout. So, in all this is definitely one of Altman's best films.
MUSIC
As for the music score it was by Thomas Newman and its a terrific score overall that largely features a mix of his signature piano pieces and synthesizers and its very atmospheric throughout. It also features an orchestral piece, which isn't used until the end of the film and its also great and acts like a showpiece for his future films such as The Shawshank Redemption. So, overall this is a very impressive score even if the synthy parts of does make it sound a little dated and of its time in the early 90's.
FLAWS
As for flaws, yes The Player does have some although they aren't too bad.
For starters, I think the whole idea of the writer that stalks Griffin is a bit silly in places and you think why didn't Mill change his fax number, so he wouldn't get harassing emails from him or why don't they install security video cameras on the grounds to record the guy the writer to somehow try and ID him. Its also a bit bizarre that the writer would get away with basically pitching what happened to Mill as a movie and it doesn't even seem to bother Mill either as he's up for the idea! Perhaps though if he said no then he knew that the writer could blackmail him as a result, so he decided to go with it.
Further also to the writer stalking Mill, it makes you wonder just how did he get into Mill's car to leave the rattlesnake in the box? I mean did he use a lockpick to break into it or did Mill leave his car unlocked?? It just seems a bit bizarre that this guy could Ninja his way around the film without being spotted by anyone! However in the scene where a valet drives off Mill's car to park it, there is a chance that maybe the valet WAS the writer but who knows?
I also felt that the film has very few or no sympathetic characters in it with the exception of June and Bonnie, who are both manipulated in different ways by Mill himself. And Mill himself is a largely unlikable protagonist as he is essentially more the villain as his literally get's away with murder and shafts his ex-girlfriend, Bonnie so he can be with Kahane's girlfriend and when Bonnie is fired at the end by Levy, he doesn't care or bat an eyelid over it. So, yeah Mill definitely is unlikable asshole of a character although maybe that is the point to show Hollywood execs as being somewhat cold and unfeeling.
Its also a bit daft how in the scene that June didn't realise that Kahane's story wasn't made into a picture when Mill explains that his studio can only green light 12 movies a year as surely Kahane would have explained to her already his script wasn't accepted. So, its either Kahane kept it to himself or June is so disconnected from Kahane's world that she didn't really care to ask although she did describe Mill's nickname as "the dead man" suggesting Kahane did at least tell her about his story not being picked.
And last of all, I also wondered just why the hell is the Detective, DeLongpre included
in the line-up scene along with Mill? I mean he's a cop for God's sake!
He had nothing to do with the murder and he wasn't even at the scene of
the crime when it happened! So, yeah I found it a bit baffling as to why
they would include him in the line-up as that is definitely one of the
scenes that didn't make any sense.
SUM UP
So, to sum up, The Player is an excellent satire on Hollywood and the film studio process and its features a great cast with top performances from Tim Robbins, Greta Sacchi, Vincent D'Onofrio as well as some funny ones by Richard E Grant and Whoopi Goldberg. The film also makes good use of its many cameos from famous Hollywood actors and the film features a terrific score by Thomas Newman aswell. And there are some minor flaws with its plot but that aside, this is still a funny and compelling satire and its well worth taking a look at if you haven't seen it yet.
And I will rate The Player:
9 out of 10.
So, that's it for now and I will be back soon with another post.
Until the next one, its bye for now!
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