The Player

Part of the special series MANY VOICES - 100 YEARS OF ROBERT ALTMAN

Larry Levy: I'll be there right after my AA meeting.
Griffin Mill: Oh Larry, I didn't realise you had a drinking problem.
Larry Levy: Well I don't really, but that's where all the deals are being made these days.

The two most precious things for film studio head Griffin Mill (Tim Robbins) seem to be in danger: his life and his career. Whereby the order does not necessarily reflect the priority. When you turn down around 50,000 people a year and destroy their dreams, you can make a few enemies who wish you dead by postcard. And the fact that every successful manager's chair in Hollywood has a young colleague sawing at its legs is an occupational hazard. To keep your head above water in this town, the story needs a few good elements such as suspense, humour, violence, hope, heart, nudity, sex and, above all, a happy ending.