The Player poster
The Player

What’s Aged the Best?

The Player The Rewatchables

Early-1990s Los Angeles, the no-stars pitch, cameos, Randall Batinkoff, anonymous threats, and Hollywood-insider jokes lead aged-best.

In the discussion (14)
Approx. transcript time · 00:49:37Read transcript
  • The pre-internet early-1990s Los Angeles movie world is praised.
  • Executives recoiling from a movie with no stars is praised.
  • Jeremy Piven’s pre-hairpiece appearance is highlighted.
  • Anjelica Huston and John Cusack visibly disliking Griffin is a favorite cameo moment.
  • Randall Batinkoff’s funny supporting role and failed star trajectory are highlighted.
  • The mystery-person postcard device is praised as reliably effective.
  • Brion James’s studio-chief presence is praised.
  • Larry Levy attending AA meetings to make deals despite not drinking is praised.
  • Malcolm McDowell’s cameo is praised.
  • The movie marks Sidney Pollack’s return to acting before a later run.
  • The running assumption that Julia Roberts and Bruce Willis fit every movie is praised.
  • The Pasadena insult is highlighted.
  • Griffin being served a different bottled-water brand in each venue is highlighted.
  • The movie’s insider view of powerful institutions is connected to later storytelling.