The Game

DVD Cover

Released: 1997
Starring: Michael Douglas, Sean Penn, Deborah Kara Unger, James Rebhorn, Peter Donat and Armin Mueller-Stahl
Plot: Nicholas Van Orton is a very wealthy San Francisco banker, but he is an absolute loner, even spending his birthday alone. In the year of his 48th birthday (the age his father committed suicide) his brother Conrad, who has gone long ago and surrendered to addictions of all kinds, suddenly returns and gives Nicholas a card giving him entry to unusual entertainment provided by something called Consumer Recreation Services (CRS). Giving up to curiosity, Nicholas visits CRS and all kinds of weird and bad things start to happen to him. [credit: Internet Movie Database]

Underwater taxi-cab.

Even though he does seem a bit self-aware, Michael Douglas is one of my favorite actors to watch. The qualities he brings to his roles can’t be found elsewhere. There’s only one Michael Douglas.

In The Game, he’s very believable as a cynical, detached, rich businessman. He is well-supported by a great cast that punctuates and snowballs this ‘game’. Sean Penn is especially believable as the younger, wild brother. I also enjoyed Deborah Kara Unger’s role as the adventurous waitress who ends up side-by-side with Douglas for a good portion of the film.

Jim Feingold: “The game is tailored specifically to each participant. Think of it as a great vacation, except you don’t go to it, it comes to you. We’re like an experiential Book-of-the-Month Club.”

Enough is enough.

It’s a dark, almost noir, thriller that keeps escalating to a wild ending. For me, the story, the characters and techniques really mold a nice film that accomplishes its goals. The tension built and frustration felt is very effective. I really enjoy these types of movies where you truly feel sympathy, pain, confusion for the character(s). Conflicts make for good stories, right? Well, in The Game it’s one after another – but instead of random misfortunes, we come to learn and piece together how they’re related. I’ve seen many other films that try this and fail, but here it works really well.

Nik and Connie

I highly recommend The Game to those who enjoy tension and dark, smart thriller qualities. I have seen this film several times, since it was released in 1997, and even though I know the ending, it’s still an enjoyable ride due the acting, the pace, the twists and oh yes… the tension. Without giving away too much, some viewers will not enjoy the ending to this film. I can’t really say much more about it without giving away the climax. It would be smart of me to stop right here.

Nicholas: So, you’ve played recently?
New Member Ted: Oh, about a year ago. I was working in Los Angeles.
Nicholas: I hear the London office is very good, too. It just sounds like a lot of fantasy, role-playing nonsense.
New Member Ted: [leans in] You wanna know what it is? What it’s all about?
[Nicholas leans closer]
New Member Ted: John 9:25.
Nicholas: I… haven’t been to Sunday school in a long time.
New Member Ted: ‘Whereas once I was blind, now I can see.’
[rises]
New Member Ted: Good night, Nicholas. Best of luck.
Nicholas: Good night.