Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		3.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		2.0
Overall		3.5

Playing God Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov December 22, 2019

Andy Wilson's "Playing God" (1997) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Kino Lorber. The supplemental features on the disc include an original trailer for the film as well as exclusive new audio commentary by screenwriter Mark Haskell Smith and producer Laura Bickford. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-A "locked".

"It's a choice that has been offered to many men: Be a slave in Heaven or star in Hell. And Hell does not always look like Hell. On a good day, it could look a lot like LA."

Playing God is a ‘70s crime thriller trapped in the body of a ‘90s film noir. It came out at approximately the same time City of Industry did, and I consider both to be amongst the best genre films the ‘90s had to offer.

While buying fentanyl at a lousy LA night club, former surgeon-turned-drug addict Eugene Sands (David Duchovny) saves the life of a pusher who is shot by competitors. A day later, while still under the influence of fentanyl, Sands is picked up by two goons and transported to a beach house in Malibu, where ambitious gangster Raymond Blossom (Timothy Hutton) offers him $10,000 and his friendship. Blossom also convinces Sands to come see a Lakers game with him and his sexy girlfriend, Claire (Angelina Jolie). Sands reluctantly agrees and soon after gets another call from Blossom, this time to save the life of an injured Russian gangster (Peter Stormare) who has stolen goods from him. Sands performs another miracle, but after the gangster reveals where the goods are kept Blossom kills him.

Eventually, Sands grows tired of being on call for Blossom, but when he decides to walk away he becomes a target for the FBI. While trying to figure out his next move, he saves Claire’s life and makes a shocking discovery that also transforms him into Blossom’s favorite target. Realizing that he has no ‘right’ plays left to keep him alive, Sands kicks his drug habit and, while trusting his instincts again, begins improving.

The film is tense and violent but has a biting sense of humor that transforms the underground world where Duchovny’s character gets stuck into a surprisingly groovy place. There is never really a dull moment in it -- between Duchovny’s monologues and the colorful ramblings of the gangsters the viewer is essentially treated with a big cynical lecture on street life survivalism. (If intrigued by the subject, see Peter Hyams’ even more cynical cracker Busting. This film goes a step further and produces a genuine masterclass with countless outrageously funny truths about street life and justice).

The original script for the film was delivered by Mark Haskell Smith, but in the new commentary that he recorded for this release with producer Laura Bickford he mentions that later on substantial changes were introduced so that various people are made happy, including director Andy Wilson. This revelation is enough for me to speculate that most of the humor and ultimately the film’s attitude were likely shaped up by Wilson, who is British, because the end product does have that offbeat vibe that typically flourishes in contemporary British crime dramas. (Andrew Tiernan’s imported executioner would instantly fit in any of Guy Ritchie’s popular crime films).

The British connection becomes even more obvious with the stylish on-location lensing that the great cinematographer Anthony B. Richmond did. While not as atmospheric as the material that Richmond produced for Nic Roeg’s cult Venice-based chiller Don't Look Now, this film also boasts some pretty sleek visuals from the City of Angels. The nature of the place is just very, very different.

*The original theatrical trailer for Playing God uses the INXS hit “Suicide Blond”. Unfortunately, it is not incorporated into the film.

Playing God Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Playing God arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Kino Lorber.

There are no traces of problematic digital adjustments. However, this release is sourced from an older master and in different parts of the film its limitations begin to pop up. For example, some of the darker footage reveals flatness which is a byproduct of less than optimal delineation and shadow definition. Black crush sneaks in as well, even during well-lit footage where generally delineation, clarity and ultimately depth are much better. Folks with larger screens will likely notice that highlights are not as nicely balanced as they should be, and this is one area where a hypothetical 4K master will introduce a number of substantial improvements. But there is still enough to like. Indeed, without sharpening and boosting adjustments there is still plenty of footage that looks quite good, at times even surprisingly good. The color scheme is mostly pleasing as well, though predictably there are nuances that could and should be expanded. Image stability is very good. All in all, though slightly dated, this is still a decent technical presentation of Playing God. My score is 3.75/5.00. (Note: This is a Region-A "locked" Blu-ray release. Therefore, you must have a native Region-A or Region-Free player in order to access its content).

Playing God Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There are two standard audio tracks on this Blu-ray release: English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature.

I tested both tracks, in various parts of the film. They are both good, but I think that the obvious choice here should be the 5.1 track. Why? Because there is a lot of action and with plenty of specific dynamic activity that I think clearly benefits from the separation on the 5.1 track. However, I have a gut feeling that a new remaster will strengthen the oomph of the 5.1 track because in a few areas it feels like there is potential for even more. I could be wrong, but I don't think I am. The current master/remix was prepared a long time ago and I think I detect things that I don't think will be on a new remix.

Playing God Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary - this is a brand new commentary that was recorded by screenwriter Mark Haskell Smith and producer Laura Bickford. It does offer some interesting about the conception of the film and in particular some of the changes that were made once production was initiated, but it is way too casual. There are plenty of rather large segments where the two commentators are basically viewing the film and only occasionally clarify some small or completely irrelevant detail(s).

• Trailer - a vintage trailer for Playing God. In English, not subtitled. (2 min, 480/60i).

• Additional Trailers - additional trailers for the following releases from Kino Lorber's catalog:
  
  1. Retroactive
  2. Bad Company
  3. The Rich Man's Wife
  4. Color of Night
  5. D.O.A.
  6. City of Industry
  7. No Man's Land

Playing God Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Playing God has the attitude of a '70s crime thriller and the sleek appearance of a '90s LA film noir. There is a lot of great acting in it as well. I have always had a soft spot for it and think that together with City of Industry ranks amongst the best genre films the '90s had to offer. This recent release is sourced from an older master, but the technical presentation is better than that of Mill Creek Entertainment's first release of the film. RECOMMENDED.