Review of House of Games (1987) by Allan C — 10 Dec 2013
David Mamet made his directorial debut with this smart film. I love films about con men, wether it's "The Grifters," "The Sting" or even "The Flim Flam Man," but this is a particularly involving film because it sucks the audience in, just like the con men's marks.
Mamet was already a successful playwright and screenwriter at the time when he made this assured directorial debut. The film features a great cast that includes Joe Mantegna before he was well known, the criminally underused Mike Nussbaum, the great J.
T. Walsh, Ricky Jay in the first film I remember seeing him in, and even William H. Macy (billed as W.H. Macy) in a bit part. I think the only thing holding the film back is Lindsay Crouse's wooden performance, which may have been a directorial choice since she is not typically a wooden actress.
The film is also a bit cold and clinical, which may also have been a directorial choice. I think Mamet got better with tone when you compare this film to the somewhat similar film he'd make years later, "Heist".
Still, this is an excellent, smart, slick little film.
This review of House of Games (1987) was written by Allan C on 10 Dec 2013.
House of Games has generally received positive reviews.
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