The 1990s have been, for the most part, good to Altman. Before releasing a masterwork in 1993 - Short Cuts - he kicked the decade off with 1992's The Player. This film told the twisted tale of an Armani-wearing, smooth-talking Hollywood shark who barely survives chewing off his own tail. Tim Robbins totally inhabits the lead character, Griffin Mill. As with his other films, Altman consolidates an impressive ensemble cast behind Robbins, including Richard E. Grant, Greta Scacchi, Whoopi Goldberg and Vincent D'Onofrio. Unlike Swimming with Sharks from 1994, which stars Kevin Spacey as an almost psychotic Tinseltown boss, The Player tempers its cynical characterizations and ending with some hope that people can change. This makes for a more gentle and realistic portrayal.
