What has the potential to be a brilliant satire of Hollywood ends up falling into heavy handedness to the point that it almost becomes silly. The film is overwhelmed with cameo after cameo, most of them unnecessary. The actually story, about a studio executive (in an excellent performance by Robbins), who gets death threats from a crazed screenwriter, is very interesting, but eventually falls apart as the many cameos begin to take center stage. By the end, the story begins to lag, and when it is all resolved it feels like the movie never really cared about the story in the first place. I admire Altman's directing talent - although his arrogance shows through in most of his movies - and it is especially obvious in the 9 minute tracking shot in the beginning of the movie, probably the best of its kind ever filmed.
Review of The Player
