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The Game (1997)

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2 reviews

Movie review

From Time Out Film Guide

San Francisco. Ruthless financier Nicholas Van Orton (Douglas) is a control freak who no longer knows the meaning of fun or friendship. When his estranged, addictive brother Conrad (Penn) enrolls him with Consumer Recreation Services for his birthday, his curiosity's aroused by the offer of a mysterious 'game' tailored to the needs of each participant. At first his application is rejected, but when, on TV, a newscaster starts talking directly to him, Nicholas realises the game's already begun and that his actions are being monitored and manipulated. As his privacy is progressively invaded and the situations in which he finds himself become ever more life-threatening, Van Orton tries to pull out of the game, but too late. Though the film's 'message' about complacency transformed by chaos and uncertainty is hackneyed, the alarming twists of the witty, ingenious script (by John Brancato and Michael Ferris) hold the attention throughout.

Author: GA

Time Out Film Guide

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User reviews of this film

Deac14 said...

Posted on Aug 13 2010 01:55 I was just reading a review of another Douglas movie that got the axe, which is certainly rare for him. It made me think about The Game, which I greatly enjoyed. I could not remember reading a review on this enjoyable movie that I don't think received the acclaim it deserved. , so looked to see what had been said about this movie that locked my attention for 2 hours trying to think what in the world was happening. It was pleasure like you came to love with Hitchcock (but at a faster pace). I am glad to see that the was well received but lacked the recognition of another movie I watch in an almost empty theater (maybe 30 other patrons in 300 seats) on a rainy afternoon around 1968 (The Producers). Like "The Game", I will try to see both movies ever 4-5 years!!

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Tina said...

Posted on Nov 06 2007 13:44 It's a good film, definitely worth seeing, it's not brilliant, but it is enjoyable.

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