Murder in Tinseltown | South China Morning Post
THE Player is more a drama and less a critique of Tinseltown than the publicity would indicate. It is essentially a thriller about a film executive who murders a writer he erroneously believes to be the author of poison pen postcards.
Robert Altman's direction is consummately professional, its high point being the remarkably long and complex opening shot. This masterpiece of camera work is beautifully choreographed and cleverly scripted with film executives making passing comments about great long shots in cinema history.
During this scene the script subtly and skilfully introduces the empty nature of Hollywood conversation. Anti-hero Griffin Mill (Tim Robbins) is seen listening to synopses of film scripts as they are delivered, machine-gun fashion, in 25 words or less. Mill's approach is businesslike: he wants to know who the stars are, will the ending be happy, is there any sex, how's the violence.
Mill is apparently full of self-confidence, and himself, but the fickle nature of the Hollywood system is his downfall. Recently, new kid on the block Larry Levi (Peter Gallagher) has been making waves.
As the pressure of having Levi on his tail begins to tell, Mill broods over a series of threatening postcards from a mysterious writer. After a little amateur detective work, Mill believes he has found his man.
From here on, The Player becomes a standard murder investigation film punctuated with delightful cameos from some of Hollywood's brightest and most legendary stars. Burt Reynolds is marvellous as a bitter old hand, tired of all the palm pressing and favour currying. Jack Lemmon plays a worn out pianist at a Hollywood party. Cher courts controversy by dressing in red at a ''black and white only'' party.
The Player is an apt title for this not unaffectionate look at the games people play in Hollywood. Its tight, suspenseful plot, combined with a satire on the worst aspects of the film industry, make for a highly entertaining film.
ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7tK%2FMqWWcp51krrPAyJyjnmdhaoNyhY6mrKuclad6tbXNrJylrJ%2Bsuw%3D%3D