Watch Playing God

Playing God is a 1997 crime thriller directed by Andy Wilson and starring David Duchovny, Timothy Hutton, and Angelina Jolie. The movie is set in Los Angeles, and follows the life of Dr. Eugene Sands (Duchovny), a brilliant surgeon who lost his medical license due to a drug addiction, and now performs small-time surgeries for cash.

One night, Sands is approached by a mobster named Raymond Blossom (Hutton) and offered a job as a doctor for his gang. Sands accepts the offer and becomes deeply involved in Blossom's criminal world. Along with performing surgery for the gang, Sands also helps Blossom cover up his crimes and becomes romantically involved with the gangster's girlfriend (Jolie).

As Sands becomes more and more entangled in the criminal underworld, he begins to question his own morals and the choices he has made. Meanwhile, an ex-cop named Gage (Peter Stormare) is hot on Blossom's trail, and Sands is forced to choose between loyalty to his employer or doing what is right.

Overall, Playing God is a tense, gritty thriller with a strong lead performance from Duchovny. The film is notable for its portrayal of the criminal underworld, and the moral ambiguity of its characters. The backdrop of Los Angeles adds to the atmosphere, with its seedy bars, rundown motels, and sprawling freeways.

David Duchovny delivers a compelling performance as Dr. Eugene Sands, portraying the character's internal conflict and moral struggles effectively. Sands is a flawed character, but the audience is able to empathize with him due to Duchovny's nuanced performance.

Timothy Hutton is also excellent as the ruthless gangster Raymond Blossom. Hutton expertly portrays the character's viciousness and unpredictability, while also hinting at the vulnerability and insecurity that lies beneath the surface.

Angelina Jolie shines in a supporting role as Claire, Raymond's girlfriend. Jolie brings a raw sexuality and intensity to the character, and her scenes with Duchovny crackle with chemistry.

The film's visual style is also worth noting, with its use of handheld camerawork and desaturated color palette giving it a gritty, documentary-like feel. The action sequences are well-choreographed and intense, with a car chase through the streets of LA being a particular highlight.

One minor criticism of the film is that the plot can at times be convoluted, with several subplots and minor characters introduced that don't always feel fully fleshed out. However, this is a minor flaw and doesn't detract from the overall impact of the film.

Overall, Playing God is a solid crime thriller with strong performances and a visceral, realistic style. Fans of gritty, character-driven thrillers are sure to enjoy it.

Playing God is a 1997 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 34 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.6.