The player / Avenue Pictures in association with Spelling Entertainment presents ; a David Brown/Addis-Wechsler production ; a Robert Altman film ; co-executive producer, William S. Gilmore ; executive producer, Cary Brokaw ; screenplay by Michael Tolkin ; produced by David Brown, Michael Tolkin, Nick Wechsler ; directed by Robert Altman.

"I was just thinking what an interesting concept it is to eliminate the writer from the artistic process. If we could just get rid of these actors and directors, maybe we've got something here."--Griffin Mill. Griffin is a slick, successful film studio vice president whose primary duty is to listen to story pitches from a constant stream of writers. Like all Hollywood producers, he's always looking over his shoulder, and he thinks up-and-comer Larry Levy is after his job. Along with power lunches, corporate in-fighting, and bottom-line priorities, a mysterious someone--probably an ignored and angry screenwriter--has been leaving him threatening postcards. When he finally takes action, his cool aplomb deserts him, things go seriously sideways, and Griffin's world begins falling apart.

MPAA rating: Rated R for language, nudity, some sexuality.

Tim Robbins (Griffin Mill), Greta Scacchi (June Gudmundsdottir), Fred Ward (Walter Stuckel), Whoopi Goldberg (Detective Avery), Peter Gallagher (Larry Levy), Brion James (Joel Levison), Cynthia Stevenson (Bonnie Sherow), Vincent D'Onofrio (David Kahane), Dean Stockwell (Andy Civella), Richard E. Grant (Tom Oakley), Dina Merrill (Celia), Angela Hall (Jan), Lyle Lovett (Detective DeLongpre), Sydney Pollack (Dick Mellen).