The Player (1992) Criterion 1080p BluRay x265 HEVC AAC-SARTRE

Robert Altman takes a scalpel to Hollywood ethics in the 1990s (or the lack thereof) in his acidic satire The Player, adapted from Michael Tolkin's novel. (Tolkin also wrote the screenplay.) The film concerns a sleek and smooth Hollywood studio executive who starts receiving death threats from a disgruntled writer because he has committed the ultimate Hollywood sin -- he promised the writer he would call him back and he never did. This is particularly ironic because the studio executive, Griffin Mill (Tim Robbins), is considered "writer-friendly," spending his days listening to pitches from such noted screenwriters as Buck Henry, who is pushing "The Graduate, Part II" and Alan Rudolph, who is hawking a Bruce Willis action film described as "Ghost meets The Manchurian Candidate." But The Player finds Griffin's comfortable life style in danger of collapse. He is trying to find a way to unload his girlfriend (Cynthia Stevenson) whose independence and intelligence make her a poor candidate for a trophy wife. More importantly, it seems that Larry Levy (Peter Gallagher), a slippery executive from Twentieth Century Fox, is angling for his job. And then there are those nasty postcards and faxes from a screenwriter threatening to kill him. Altman cast over 65 stars in cameo roles as texture for his scabrous tale.

Extras

• Trailers and TV Spots - Includes the U.S. Trailer, Japanese Trailer and 3 TV Spots - (3x 2 min, 720p).

• Opening Shot - Presented here is the famous long opening shot of the film with two optional audio commentaries by 1) Robert Altman and 2) Michael Tolkin and Jean Lepine . The bulk of the comments address the specific framing choices that were made and importance of different objects and lines/exchanges. (9 min, 720p).

• Deleted Scenes/Outtakes - Presented here are five scenes that were removed from the final version of The Player and a few outtakes from the Lonely Room scene with Lily Tomlin and Scott Glenn. (14 min, 720p).

• Robert Altman's Players - Presented here is a short documentary which was shot during the filming of the celebrity fund-raising scene. The stars that appear in the scene actually participated in a real fund-raising event that was held at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art on July 20, 1991. (16 min, 720p).

• Cannes Press Conference - Presented here is footage from the press conference that was held at the Cannes Film Festival in 1992, where The Player won Best Director and Best Actor Awards. Director Robert Altman, Tim Robins, Brion James, Whoopi Goldberg, Dina Merrill, writer Michael Tolkin, and production designer Stephen Altman, amongst others, answer a variety of questions. The event was moderated by Henri Behar. (56 min, 720p).

• Robert Altman - In this archival interview, director Robert Altman discusses the structure of The Player, the use of different elements from other films, the use of different genre techniques (with specific color preferences), how the large number of actors that played themselves were managed in different parts, the casting of Tim Robbins and his terrific performance, the significance of Greta Scacchi's character, etc. The interview was conducted exclusively for Criterion in New York in December 1992. (21 min, 720p).

• Planned Improvisation - In this brand new documentary film, screenwriter Michael Tolkin, production designer Stephen Altman, associate producer David Levy, and Tim Robbins discuss the novel that inspired The Player, the initial lack of enthusiasm for the material (amongst certain big stars and producers), Robert Altman's vision for the film and the production team he gathered, the visual style of the film, the iconic locations that were used in the film, etc. (After the end credits there are a few additional comments from Tim Robbins). The documentary film was produced exclusively for Criterion in 2016. (46 min, 720p).

• Commentary - In this truly wonderful audio commentary, director Robert Altman, writer Michael Tolkin, and cinematographer Jean Lepine discuss in great detail how the initial idea about The Player emerged, the very fluid structure and visual style of the film, the poisonous atmosphere in Hollywood and how the novel and the film depict it, some of the more interesting double jokes, the overlapping of different themes, the improvisations done by the stars, etc. The audio commentary was recorded exclusively for Criterion in 1992.