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So says journalist Daniel Schorr in a bizarre exchange with investment banker Nicholas Van Orton (Michael Douglas) via his television. You see, Nicholas has become so self-absorbed and isolated that he has forgotten about what really matters. "The game", which was a gift from his brother Conrad (Sean Penn), is supposed to make his life "fun".
Unfortunately, the game turns out as an elaborate ruse that blurs the lines between fiction and reality for Nicholas, eventually threatening his life. The cast is rounded up by Deborah Kara Unger and James Rebhorn as two people that might, or might not be, involved in the game. And that's part of the beauty of the film cause it always keeps you guessing what will happen next.
The film masterfully puts us in Nicholas' shoes as it continuously sweeps the rug from under our feet leaving us to wonder what's real and what's not. His direction and the script by John Brancato and Michael Ferris takes its time to set things up, but once it starts, it rarely lets go.
Most of the complaints I've heard about this film hang on the very last act, and although I understand not buying it, I can't help but admire its boldness. It blew my mind back in the day, and it still manages to mess it up a bit when I rewatch it.
There is a bit of subtext in terms of fate and freedom (is Nicholas' fate to end up like his father? what are his choices once "the game" begins? how about when it ends?) I don't think the film delves into it, but I like that it's asking the questions, and I like that it puts the character of Nicholas in that path that we are all on; trying to discover the object of "the game".
Grade:
THE GAME
(1997, Fincher)
A film from the Criterion Collection whose number includes the #6 (i.e. 16, 621, 906)
(1997, Fincher)
A film from the Criterion Collection whose number includes the #6 (i.e. 16, 621, 906)
"Discovering the object of the game *is* the object of the game."
So says journalist Daniel Schorr in a bizarre exchange with investment banker Nicholas Van Orton (Michael Douglas) via his television. You see, Nicholas has become so self-absorbed and isolated that he has forgotten about what really matters. "The game", which was a gift from his brother Conrad (Sean Penn), is supposed to make his life "fun".
Unfortunately, the game turns out as an elaborate ruse that blurs the lines between fiction and reality for Nicholas, eventually threatening his life. The cast is rounded up by Deborah Kara Unger and James Rebhorn as two people that might, or might not be, involved in the game. And that's part of the beauty of the film cause it always keeps you guessing what will happen next.
The film masterfully puts us in Nicholas' shoes as it continuously sweeps the rug from under our feet leaving us to wonder what's real and what's not. His direction and the script by John Brancato and Michael Ferris takes its time to set things up, but once it starts, it rarely lets go.
Most of the complaints I've heard about this film hang on the very last act, and although I understand not buying it, I can't help but admire its boldness. It blew my mind back in the day, and it still manages to mess it up a bit when I rewatch it.
There is a bit of subtext in terms of fate and freedom (is Nicholas' fate to end up like his father? what are his choices once "the game" begins? how about when it ends?) I don't think the film delves into it, but I like that it's asking the questions, and I like that it puts the character of Nicholas in that path that we are all on; trying to discover the object of "the game".
Grade: