The Player (1992)

A young Hollywood producer (Tim Robbins) is receiving threatening postcards from an unknown writer, one of many whose scripts he had rejected. He confronts the writer (Vincent D'Onofrio) he suspects of sending the postcards and accidentally kills him but disguises it to look like a robbery gone bad. Shortly thereafter, he begins receiving threatening postcards again. Directed by the great Robert Altman, this dark and wicked satire is one of the best movies about Hollywood ever made. It can stand proudly next to SUNSET BOULEVARD and SINGIN' IN THE RAIN. The screenplay by Michael Tolkin (based on his novel) is outrageous enough to bring a grin to your face but still enough of the truth to sting. Altman manages to get stabs in without being bitter. The opening tracking shot with no cuts whatsoever lasting almost 8 minutes is Altman's homage to Welles' TOUCH OF EVIL which is openly referenced in the film. The cast includes Whoopi Goldberg, Greta Scacchi, , Peter Gallagher, Lyle Lovett, Dina Merrill, Dean Stockwell, Richard E. Grant, Brion James and Gina Gershon. And a mass of actors and celebrities playing themselves including Julia Roberts, Bruce Willis, Susan Sarandon, Nick Nolte, Anjelica Huston, Burt Reynolds, Karen Black, Harry Belafonte, Cher, James Coburn, John Cusack, Jack Lemmon, Lily Tomlin, Scott Glenn, Robert Wagner, Jill St. John, Teri Garr, Elliott Gould, Jeff Goldblum, Andie MacDowell, Rod Steiger, Mimi Rogers, Felicia Farr, Steve Allen, Marlee Matlin, Joel Grey and Louise Fletcher.