The Game

If I were get around to making a list of my favourite directors, David Andrew Leo Fincher would definitely be on that list without a shadow of doubt.  In his 3^rd movie (after Alien³ (1992) and Se7en (1995), Fincher comes up with yet another brilliant concept.  I remember having seen The Game around 15-16 years back to the date and I was completely blown away.

I was surprised at how much I really enjoyed it despite knowing exactly what is waiting for me at the next turn when I decided to watch it again. Written by Michael Ferris & John D Brancato, The Game is a story that was kind of begging to picked by a director of Fincher’s vision and talent.

Fincher builds the tempo of this brilliant thriller extremely slowly and actually in a very eerie manner.  Nicholas Van Orton (Michael Douglas) just turned 48.  A number that doesn’t have the best memories for him.  Van Orton Sr. decided to jump off the terrace of the family house or should I say palace, at the ripe young age of 48.

Therefore, we have young Nicholas, brooding over whether he will face the same fate or not.  He is alone both in person and in life.  The only company he has, other than his successful investment banking job, is his housekeeper Ilsa (Carol Baker).  His brother estranged brother Conrad (Sean Penn) shuttles in and out of his life.

Conrad, of course makes it a point to wish Nicholas on his birthday and this time around he gives him a gift.  A gift card from Consumer Recreation Services (CRS) – an entertainment company.  While Nicholas is less than impressed, he finally succumbs to boredom and visits CRS.  That’s where the fun begins.

The impatient will need to call on all their resources for about 30-40 minutes into the movie because Fincher teases you to stay around.  He will leave you desperate to find out what is going to happen next.  What is happening now? Should I stick around for more? And then bam – the first piece of action hits you.

The Game is so wonderfully crafted that you have to have an extremely sharp eye for detail to be able to figure out what is in store for you.  This is what happens when some really good writing meets a great director.

Michael Douglas does a fine job with getting the stuck up Investment Banker to life.  Let me not forget to mention how convincing he looks as a perplexed millionaire who has no clue to what is happening around him.  Pretty much everyone else is a support character and they are all equally good – Sean Penn, Deborah Kara Unger or Armin Mueller-Stahl – all of them do what is expected of them.

The Game is a story that slowly unravels itself.  Bit by bit.  In many ways, it is like a strip tease that is spread over 2 hours and 9 minutes.  A journey that you will find extremely exciting and well worth the wait at the end of it all.  8 on 10 and a must watch if you haven’t seen it yet.

Watch the trailer on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pogUS7fv7YI