If _Sunset Boulevard_ is THE Hollywood movie of the Golden Age, then this is the ultimate movie about movies of the modern era. Wickedly funny, with a rousing cast including 65 film luminaries playing themselves (see if you can find them all). The good news is that the film is not so inside that it can't be enjoyed by everyone. It is a mystery with a twist that looks terrific, is wonderfully acted, and is brilliantly directed by a man who skewers the Hollywood that has often done him wrong.

Fantastic satire from Altman and an extensive cast of characters all indicted by the film. The film manages to be both funny and soulless, lampooning its black-hearted characters with razor sharp wit. Robbins is fine in the lead, but it's the supporting players and side stories that portray a rich pastiche of oddball Hollywood life. The numerous references to classic Hollywood tie the satire to all of movie history--it's always been this way, and it seems it always will.

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Maybe I'm a philistine, but I didn't think it was all that - I'm willing to try again though

I've seen two Robert Altman films with a few more waiting in the wings. His style is quite unique while not being overly bizarre. It's layered but each layer is satisfying by itself. It's funny but only in a sort of blackly comic "should I laugh? Was that a joke?" kind of way. I can't really think of anything to say about The Player except that it's simply a very good movie. Excellent acting, fantastic script, great story. Just watch it.

One of Altman's best. A first-rate thriller which is also a pointed satire of the movie business.

A fun Hollywood satire dripping with all the right kinds of irony, especially the ending. Gotta love Tim Robbins + Thomas Newman scores.

Fast paced, funny, good story, very Altman. So many cameos that I lost track of everyone, but Bruce Willis had to have the best one: "Traffic was a bitch.." The opening tracking shot was great and all the long takes are refreshing to watch. It also seems that Hollywood hasn't changed much since 1992.

A deft and dazzling satire on the film industry -- witty, surprising and intelligent.

Comparable to Fellini's _8-1/2_, though in a different degree and a different direction, this goes a long way towards explaining why it is so difficult to get a decent movie made. Over and above a couple of allusions to the phenomenon of the "test screening" (i.e., veto power of the average viewer, artistic decision-making by popular referendum), the main obstacle, actually illustrated instead of just alluded to, is seen to be "the pitch"

Funny, but not that funny. Tense, but not that tense. Well acted, well written... It really is all around a fine film but you can almost feel the potential that isn't reached.

A light, fun Altman-movie. Worth watching if not only to enjoy all the references to other movies, both explicit and subtle.

Audacious and perversely enjoyable. The film pokes fun at Hollywood conventions while conforming to them itself, often at the expense of what might traditionally be considered good writing; this leads to what is simultaneously one of the worst and the best endings in cinema history. Also notable are the eight-minute opening tracking shot and an exciting, eclectic score courtesy of Thomas Newman.

Ruined by a happy ending. I hate how Hollywood does that.