Why You Should Revisit Bruce Willis in ‘The Player’ After Watching ‘The Studio’

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Seth Rogen’s latest comedy series, “The Studio,” might seem innovative, but it’s not breaking entirely new ground. This series, streaming on Apple TV+, presents a fictional studio executive interacting with real-life actors, primarily for the purpose of poking fun at Hollywood. However, “The Studio” isn’t the first production to employ such a concept; the TV show “The Player” shared a very similar premise, but its plot was more akin to a thriller than comedy. In fact, “The Studio” acknowledges this by making at least one reference to that film.

Originally adapted from a popular novel, the movie named “The Player” garnered widespread praise upon its release, boasting a 97% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Unfortunately, due to being distributed by a lesser-known studio that later merged with Warner Bros., it may have slipped under some viewers’ notice. However, you can now find it streaming on Max, making it an excellent opportunity for those who missed it initially to catch up and enjoy the movie.

‘The Player’ Is Hollywood Satire With a Thrilling Twist

In the movie “The Player,” Tim Robbins portrays Griffin Mill, a studio executive. He listens to script ideas from writers and chooses what movies get made. He’s in a relationship with a story editor at his workplace, and things appear pretty good for him. However, when a new executive begins gaining popularity at Griffin’s studio, Griffin simultaneously starts receiving anonymous threatening messages – ones he believes are from a screenwriter whose work he previously turned down.

As a cinephile penning my thoughts on “The Player,” I must confess that this film is not just for Hollywood insiders; it’s a gripping tale that appeals to a broader audience. The narrative weaves a classic thriller yarn, where our protagonist, Griffin, navigates the labyrinth of mystery as he tracks down the anonymous sender of menacing letters, all while dodging the long arm of the law.

Amidst this intrigue, Griffin finds himself entangled in fresh romantic liaisons and corporate power plays, as he subtly attempts to undermine the new executive. It’s no coincidence that Robert Altman, a master of satirical thrillers like “M*A*S*H” and “The Long Goodbye,” steered this production. With its biting wit and intricate plotlines, “The Player” is another stellar addition to his illustrious filmography.

Located in Hollywood, The Player incorporates appearances by well-known figures during its time. Right from the start, Griffin Mill has a meeting with Buck Henry, writer of The Graduate, who proposes his concept for a sequel in one of the film’s most striking scenes. Although not all cameos receive much focus, the ending boasts some truly outstanding ones. Among the actors making appearances are Cher, Jeff Goldblum, Burt Reynolds, Harry Belafonte, Julia Roberts, Bruce Willis, Susan Sarandon, Nick Nolte, Andie MacDowell, John Cusack, Elliott Gould, and others.

Upon its debut, the movie titled “The Player” was met with much favor. Interestingly, it bagged two Golden Globes: one for being the top comedy of the year and another recognizing Tim Robbins’ exceptional performance. Notably, renowned critics Roger Ebert and Gene Siskel showered the film with praise, each awarding it a perfect score of four out of four stars. In his critique, Ebert commended the film’s humor and Altman’s directing, stating that “The Player” is “both hilarious and heartless, often at the same time.

‘The Studio’ Has at Least One Reference to ‘The Player’

Despite The Studio continuing its operations, it shares numerous striking resemblances with The Player, which are worth noting. Both productions offer satirical portrayals of Hollywood studio executives, boast a plethora of cameos from well-known actors, and incorporate fictional films as part of their narrative. However, there are also conspicuous similarities that cannot be overlooked.

Initially, it’s worth noting that one character from The Studio bears the same name as the leading character from The Player. Specifically, Bryan Cranston portrays Griffin Mill in The Studio. However, it isn’t immediately obvious whether these characters are intended to be the same individual, given that Cranston doesn’t physically resemble Tim Robbins and the two characters don’t work at the same studio in The Player. It could simply be a witty nod from the writers of The Studio.

It’s highly unlikely that the makers of “The Studio” weren’t influenced in some way by “The Player”. This is suggested by one of the posters for “The Studio”, where Seth Rogen appears to be scaling a film reel as if it were a ladder. This seems to pay tribute to the iconic poster of “The Player”, which depicts a film reel shaped like a noose.

In terms of cinematography, both The Player and The Studio share a striking resemblance. The visual aesthetic of The Studio is designed to mimic the classic Hollywood, film-based look, which bears a strong likeness to The Player. Moreover, the second episode of The Studio is crafted to appear as if it was shot in one continuous take, similar to an extended scene in The Player, particularly its opening with an iconic eight-minute crane shot, which may have served as inspiration for this approach in The Studio.

How To Watch ‘The Player’

It’s great news that you can catch the movie “The Player” in several spots. The film is accessible on Max if you sign up for their streaming service (either ad-supported or premium). Additionally, you can watch it with a subscription to the Criterion Channel, which offers extra features such as commentary and deleted scenes, along with a Blu-ray version. For those without subscriptions to either of these platforms, “The Player” is available for rental or purchase on services like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and FandangoNow.

The Studio can only be watched on Apple TV+, but you’ll need a subscription first. Each new episode drops every Wednesday up until May 21st. Don’t forget to tune in to catch any further nods to “The Player,” and to enjoy comedy that caters to today’s more contemporary Hollywood scene. Remember, “The Player” takes place three decades ago, so movies have evolved quite significantly since then.

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2025-03-27 06:04