Maybe it's because "Clueless" just turned 30, or perhaps the saying that what's old becomes new again is actually true. Either way, the '90s are everywhere. Flared jeans, scrunchies, anklets — they're all back. I even saw a Tamagotchi ad on social media the other day. All this nostalgia sent me down the rabbit hole of my favorite '90s films, leading me back to one I hadn’t seen in years.
Directed by Robert Altman, "The Player" (1992) boasts an all-star cast. Tim Robbins stars as Griffin Mill, a Hollywood executive known for rejecting scripts,. He starts receiving death threats, setting off an unfortunate but utterly entertaining chain of events, packed with dizzying cameos and nods to famous films.
What is 'The Player' about?
The film opens with a now-famous eight-minute single take in a nod to Hitchcock’s "Rope," which is even acknowledged in dialogue. It follows Griffin Mill as he navigates a day at the studio, dodging overly eager writers pitching ideas like "The Graduate 2," all while barely paying attention, highlighting his arrogance.
More troubling are the threatening postcards Mill receives, which he suspects come from screenwriter David Kahane (Vincent D’Onofrio), whose script he recently rejected. When he confronts Kahane’s girlfriend June (Greta Scacchi), a voyeuristic moment unfolds as Mill watches her from the window, echoing the audience’s cinematic gaze.
Mill tracks Kahane to a screening of "The Bicycle Thief," where an encounter escalates, resulting in Kahane’s semi-accidental death. Mill struggles to cover up the crime while keeping up appearances in Hollywood, though the anonymous threats continue. Enter Whoopi Goldberg as Detective Susan Avery, bringing intrigue and levity to the investigation.
Why you should stream 'The Player' on HBO Max
If you're a movie buff or grew up in the '90s, you don't want to miss "The Player." It's a satire of Hollywood and all the cynicism and wealth that goes along with that world. As I watched the film, I realized it's become a classic, much like movies mentioned throughout. That feeling is further enhanced by the countless stars with cameo appearances, such as Julia Roberts, Bruce Willis, Jeff Goldblum and so many more.
Beyond the film references and star-studded cameos, The Player is a gripping thriller drenched in the '90s aesthetic I’ve grown to love and feel nostalgic for as the years go by. Packed with sharp comedy and even a hint of romance, it’s far from your typical mystery. Hollywood has never been this fun to watch unravel.
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