Directed by:
David FincherCinematography:
Harris SavidesComposer:
Howard ShoreCast:
Michael Douglas, Sean Penn, Deborah Kara Unger, James Rebhorn, Peter Donat, Carroll Baker, Armin Mueller-Stahl, Anna Katarina, John Aprea, Kimberly Russell (more)VOD (2)
Plots(1)
An aloof investment banker's life spirals into peril and paranoia after his brother gives him an odd birthday gift: the chance to play a mysterious game. (Netflix)
Reviews (10)
The excellently written character of Michael Douglas and an interesting topic are undeniable advantages, but the uneven pace and slightly disjointed sequence of scenes are clear shortcomings of this peculiar film. The fact is, though, that David Fincher avoids any thematic clichés and each of his films is original and different. Douglas is outstanding again, and this time he is aptly supported by Sean Penn. The plot is nicely unconventional and full of captivating scenes. The question is, how much are you willing to embrace Fincher's game.
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An excellent thriller by David Fincher with a proper amount of paranoia. But the conclusion, which is the key to the whole story, is a bit contradictory. On the one hand, it shocked me but, on the other hand, I found it slightly disappointing.
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A fast-paced, tense and extremely engaging thriller with a wonderful cast and an even better script. Though I would be more satisfied if the film ended one or two twists earlier, I still think it’s worth a weak five stars.
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I like Dave Fincher for his talent to "create" a great atmosphere and imprint a specific style on each film. Nevertheless, he has a problem with The Game, because this screenwriting mystification seems to me to be a disposable film. It’s not that I didn't enjoy watching the way the whole game with the viewer played out, and it’s not that Fincher didn't give the film his typical directing style. It's just that it’s missing that the vague, sparkling thing that, for example, Seven has. On the other hand, this is a pure and very straightforward thriller, so blaming it for the lack of depth is unfair. It’s good enough film material to entertain.
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The most sophisticated of David Fincher's films. I could watch it over and over again and The Game would still be fascinating to me. The paranoid atmosphere is taken to the absolute peak and poor Michael Douglas is effortlessly placed in the most absurd situations, which still give me chills to this day.
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For me, it's David Fincher's weakest film, not so much because of the direction, where the director maintains his usual standard, but because of the overly contrived screenplay, where it's better not to think too much about many parts, otherwise the viewer will realize that it simply can't work. However, in terms of acting, it's an interestingly cast film and, above all, excellently acted - Michael Douglas and Sean Penn belong to the top tier of actors, and I have a soft spot for Deborah Kara Unger, who manages to imbue her female characters with an erotic charge. But the screenplay with plenty of seemingly effective twists really bothered me. Overall impression: 45%.
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I certainly have a long-built fondness for the great Michael Douglas films of the 80s and 90s, and Fincher's The Game is one of the highlights of that great era. Who can resist suspense thrillers in which Michael practically never leaves the screen? He's partnered with Sean Penn and Deborah Kara Unger, the subject matter is period-appropriate in many ways and it's all very enjoyable. Such an indulgence is irresistible.
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Typical Fincher. The script is meticulously detailed, exuding escalating tension and, in this case, increasing anxiety about the fate of a protagonist playing against all odds. A grim production design, a superb Douglas and a host of brilliant directorial flourishes; The Game boasts it all, and it all works in such a perfect symbiosis that it's a joy to watch. The only big question mark for me is the ending; it’s certainly well shot, fits well into Fincher's patchwork and managed to shock me quite a bit, but I wasn't expecting such a simple explanation of such a big plot, so down a notch.
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The script for The Game was originally written back in 1991 with the simple aim of just giving it away to a studio for money, which eventually worked out and made it all the way to Fincher, who with Se7en screenwriter Andrew Walker spent 6 months rewriting so they could sew it together into at least this. It probably couldn't have been done any better without creating something completely different. I can understand the audacious ambition to present the viewer with a lie (which is an inalienable part of film in general) as an actual untruth, and it fits exactly with my idea of a young, brash Fincher wanting to challenge and unnerve the viewer; however he tries relatively successfully to hold it all together, by the end it slips away completely and the whole film implodes into annoying nonsense about a now-wiser curmudgeon who got to the whole finale mainly through an excruciating cavalcade of coincidences that must have made the entire glorious CRS company's forehead drip with sweat. However, the cinematography, lighting, and excellent portrayal of the characters through objects and space still make this a first-rate spectacle, even if the film's punchline, for example, completely degrades any future viewings.
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Michael Douglas, Sean Penn, and David Fincher – you just can't go wrong. While this is far from Fincher's best film, it is very respectably above average. Suspense, a fair amount of "mystery", a great performance by Michael Douglas, an uncomplicated plot, and a nice ending – that's everything The Game offers. Are you ready to play?
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