#812: ALTMAN, Robert: The Player (1992)

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ALTMAN, Robert (United States)
The Player [1992]
Spine #812
Blu-ray

A Hollywood studio executive with a shaky moral compass (Tim Robbins) finds himself caught up in a criminal situation that would be right at home in one of his movie projects, in this biting industry satire from Robert Altman. Mixing elements of film noir with sly insider comedy, The Player, based on a novel by Michael Tolkin, functions as both a nifty stylish murder story and a commentary on its own making, and it is stocked with a heroic supporting cast (Peter Gallagher, Whoopi Goldberg, Greta Scacchi, Dean Stockwell, Fred Ward) and a lineup of star cameos that make for an astonishing Hollywood who's who. This complexly woven grand entertainment (which kicks off with one of American cinema's most audacious and acclaimed opening shots) was the film that marked Altman's triumphant commercial comeback in the early 1990s.

124 minutes
Color
2.0 Surround
1:85:1 aspect ratio
Criterion Release 2016
Director/Writers


Based on the novel by Michael Tolkin.
Screenplay by Tolkin.
Robert Altman was 67 when he directed The Player.


A

Film Rating (0-60):

60

The Extras

The Booklet

Twelve-page wraparound featuring an essay by Sam Wasson.

Commentary

From 1992 featuring director Altman, writer Tolkin, and DP Jean Lépine.

Interview

With Altman from 1992.

Interviews

With Tolkin, actor Robbins, associate producer David Levy, and production designer Stephen Altman.

Cannes Film Festival

Press conference from 1992 with cast and crew.

Robert Altman’s Players

A short documentary about the shooting of he film’s fund-raiser scene.

Map to the Stars

A gallery dedicated to the cameo appearances in the film.

Deleted scenes and outtakes

The film’s opening shot

With alternate commentaries by Altman, Lépine, and Tolkin.

Trailers and TV spots

Extras Rating (0-40):

39

60 + 39 =

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