Intelligent Thriller, May 22, 2003

By	Lonnie E. Holder "The Review's the Thing" (Sullivan, Illinois United States) - See all my reviews

From this point forward the movie drags for what seems forever. I was beginning to regret watching this movie. Looking back, though, I now know that this beginning helps us to more fully understand how boring and awful Nicholas' life is, and further provides an excellent contrast with what happens later in the movie.

Nicholas is in a very upscale restaurant when a waitress (Deborah Unger as Christine) spills wine on his shirt. Christine is fired by the restaurant manager and leaves, very upset. Before you can say white rabbit, a waiter rushes by Nicholas' table and drops off a note that tells Nicholas' to follow the girl. Prepare for the roller coaster ride.

Within moments Nicholas finds himself involved with an apparently dying man, then just as quickly he finds he is being chased by the police, and police dogs, and things just get worse and worse. The list of things to which Nicholas is subjected is too long and would leave you with no surprises.

Nicholas tries to figure out how to make all the action and events to which he is being subjected stop. Nicholas can't handle the loss of control. Further, the chaos of his experiences seems to follow no pattern or order. Eventually Nicholas gets back to where he thinks it all began for a showdown with the characters that he has discovered are actors. The ending had me stunned and amazed. You'll have to watch for yourself.

There are several lapses in credibility, but unless you are an obsessive control freak (sort of like Nicholas Van Orton, for instance) you'll likely consider the lapses minor. This movie ultimately is an intelligent thriller that relies on action only when necessary to heighten Nicholas' fears and to pull him deeper into what begins to seem like a deeply nefarious conspiracy. After watching, this movie became one of my favorites, and I've now seen it several times.

The most difficult part of this movie is the relatively slow first part. However, have patience; what you learn in the first part helps you to understand Nicholas and to be drawn more fully into his situation. Sympathy with Nicholas and his situation is highly desirable to fully appreciate the end of the movie. I was sympathetic, and enjoyed this movie. 5 stars for an intelligent thriller that relies on intelligent plot versus guns, fast cars and special effects.

Action Packed - but Far Fetched, November 2, 2000

By	dev1 (Baltimore) - See all my reviews

"The Game" reminds me of John Fowles' novel "The Magus," except that the movie lacks magic and mysticism. The object of "The Game" (like "The Magus") is to force the involuntary pawn (Van Orton) to experience a catharsis; that is, to change from a callous and uncaring individual, to one of humane endeavors and compassion. The movie is partially successful. Van Orton is certainly "changed" by the game, but I doubt that he gives his millions to charity, and lives a life pursuing causes more noble than the buck.

"The Game" is filled with adventure, drama, intrigue and "sitting on the edge of the seat" scenes, but it's hardly plausible. In order for the game to work, for it to be convincing, a cast of a thousand actors must complete each minute detail with no mistakes, no errors. The conspiracy against Van Orton is outrageously huge: perhaps several hundred actors. Perhaps the entire city of San Francisco - hardly believable.

For drama and its ability its hold the viewer's attention, "The Game" is a winner. For believability - "The Game" is far fetched.