The Game Review

Nicholas Van Orton is a wealthy, divorced, bitter investment banker. His brother, Conrad Van Orton is an ex-drug addict who runs with the wind. Conrad shows up on Nicholas's birthday, after years of being apart, to give him a gift from Consumer Recreation Services (CRS) to "make your life fun". Nicholas sees a CRS office one day and decides to stop in to get his "gift".

It's a game. Specifically tailored for each participant.
Nicholas decides to complete the rigorous and strange testing at CRS just in case he decides to go through with it. Before he can make up his mind, they call to tell him his application was rejected - with little explanation. However when he arrives home, the TV is talking to him and it seems the game has begun! Nicholas still doesn't know what exactly this game is, but strange things start happening almost immediately. Will he enjoy this game? Is it really a game after all??? You'll have to watch and see!!!

Actors
Michael Douglas .... Nicholas Van Orton - Nick is your typical bossy, stuck up, rich guy. Michael was a good choice. He shows his doubt of this game from the very start, but his curiosity gets the best of him. He represents those of us who would be very cynical of a gift like this, but would still be curious... Nicholas may be a little too curious!

Sean Penn .... Conrad Van Orton - As Nick's total opposite, Sean Penn fit the part well. He's claims this game has changed his life and he's just trying to get his brother to have some fun! Can he be trusted?

Deborah Kara Unger .... Christine - A waitress that's been accident prone around Nicholas. He gets her fired, then he gets stuck with her right afterwards. Is she part of the game? She seems completely clueless.... but why is he supposed to follow her? She was very good in the role because you never knew when she was telling the truth... it plays with Nick's mind and it should play with yours too!

My Thoughts
When I first saw this movie about 6 years ago, it was very intriguing. You never know what will happen because it all seems so random! The movie provides very little explanation of what the game actually is - so as Nick tries to figure it out, you are completely clueless. I could not have told you how it was going to end, or even what would happen in the next scene!

The second time, I remember plot details kept coming back to me so it wasn't nearly as exciting. It was still enjoyable watching all the well planned scenes, but I wasn't shocked by anything. It didn't help that I watched it my husband and friend who kept discussing scenes, which made it even easier for me to recall the whole ending! The warning here is - Don't watch this with someone that's seen it and is likely to ruin it for you!!

The movie is logical, but not very believable. Everything *could* happen the way it did... but I don't believe everything *would* happen the exact way it did. This is very similar to Mindhunters (2004) in that aspect. The CRS people planned everything so well - down to the exact location that Nick would be. I don't care how much data you collect on a person, I don't believe you can predict every step a person will take! If you let go of the doubt and just believe it's possible (and logical) you will enjoy this movie much more.

For Who?
Keep away the kids because of swearing and minor violence, but teens can watch. I didn't think it was very violent at all. Only one scene grossed me out. If you are into psychological thrillers, this is a good one to catch. It's not about the action or the violence; it is about the mental part of it... who can you trust?

Conclusion
Had I only seen this once I would have given it 5 stars - but after watching it again it has to be 4. It just doesn't have the repeat factor. It's worth watching again, but the thrill is gone since you know the secrets. The Game may be 10 years old, but it still is good by today's standards. Check it out - and avoid reading or talking to anyone who may give too many details away! The movie is 10 times better if you truly don't know what is going to happen. Enjoy :)

Sound like your type of movie? Check out Mindhunters as well!