Altman The Player Analysis

Whose reality Sample piece
Three body paragraphs

Is it the media that guides us through our reality? Or is it how we perceive the presented information and accept it for reality? Often it is the media that influence and twine our thoughts, and allow us to construct our sense of reality. Altman’s idea of presenting to its stars, an ideal world highlighting all positive aspects of life and hiding what may potentially tarnish its image, creates a reality for those involved. Similarly, in our world today, we convey information in the media – news and newspapers in general, and make that the reality of the world we inhabit. This constructs one reality as we learn and respond to what is visible rather than guess and interpret what cannot be
seen. News provides us with facts in our society. Altman focuses on the notion of our reality being manipulated and influenced by those around us. Hollywood’s life is depicted as happy and stress-free and that is the reality for those associated with the notion of a ‘Hollywood life’. Media can construct our reality however the interpretation of what we see is entirely under our control, yet often we are more inclined to listen and agree to others, living a reality influenced by them.
The player offers a scathing critique of the ways that Hollywood works.
Altman consistently explores the allure and ultimate emptiness of the icons and institutions of the 20th century. In ‘The Player’ he delves into the microcosm of the Hollywood studio system, conveying his fascination with the trend of Hollywood. ‘Happy Endings’ is an element required to make a successful Hollywood film. Along with other components such as ‘suspense, laughter, violence, hope, heart, nudity, sex’. The Film’s title suggests a lack of seriousness, but it’s about a man who gets away with murder, and any normal scale of moral is skewed. The player, the contestant, the participant, is Griffin Mill, and the game is all about winning. If he is playing a mere game he is deadly serious. Murder does not seem to matter as much as retaining power and control in the studio. Griffin wants a ‘happy ending’. On the contrary, this defies the laws of reality in our world today. Criminals are punished for their fault, there are no happy endings. For this microcosm is a world where innocence is lost and where integrity and honesty are both rare and dangerous qualities to possess. Basically only those committed to nothing but themself have the means to survive in the world. This is expressed when Celia points out to Bonnie, when she got fired, ‘I’m not just me, I’m also the job’. Insinuating that, she cannot be a friend and that Bonnie has to manage by herself. Our world is very similar to that notion. People often deceived each other, treating their closest companions as tools. Take Julia Gillard for example, she betrayed Kevin Rudd in 2010, and has now fought so desperately to keep her position as Prime Minister. What we perceive as being our reality, it can be change by others’ action. Hence, one’s reality is purely influenced by the ones around
them.
The power and the ability to manipulate others in society often influence the reality in the society. One can manipulate and enforce ideas into others changing their reality to suit the trend. These people may be the glamorous celebrities whom always show themselves with beauty and wealth. Especially female stars, they create an image for young girls to aspire to be like them. Especially the rich and powerful Government who creates laws that we have to abide by. Sometimes manipulation is viewed as a positive aspect in life, but when it involves the alteration of others’ reality, it becomes negative. Take Griffin Mill, he works in the studio listening to writers however treats all subordinate to him like trash. His former girlfriend, Bonnie Sherow, a very honest woman, full of integrity, and in the end, she ‘the innocent’ dies, in the sense that she lost her job and her status in society. Being so kind-hearted can be a fault. Those like Griffin are manipulative and change the reality of those around him to his liking. Ones reality can be influenced by the ones around them. Just like Bonnie she had hers crushed, left without a partner and seemingly destitute.