Review of The Game (1997) by Olaolu A — 30 Dec 2011

Definitely not David Fincher's strongest film but still a solid bet if you're looking for a taut, suspenseful thrill-ride that keeps you on the edge of your seat for most of the running length.

The ending was perhaps a bit of a letdown and the film isn't nearly as clever as it wants you to think it is but most viewers should be reasonably entertained. Also, Michael Douglas' character, Nicholas Van Orton, often comes off as too much of a self-centered and emotionally closed-off jerk to be truly likable, which often makes it difficult to get in his corner.

I guess that's the point since Van Orton's life has been defined by a childhood tragedy that has crippled his ability to establish meaningful interaction with anyone (except maybe his brother, played by Sean Penn); still it would've have been nice if the character had been given a warmer side.

Certainly, Douglas can't be faulted for his performance; he does of excellent job here and most of Van Orton's humanity comes from the actor. The problem stems more from how the character is written than with Douglas' portrayal.

No one else is given as much screen time including Penn as the younger brother and Deborah Kara Unger as the film's femme fatale. Coming on the heels of the absolutely devastating Se7en, this wasn't quite another unqualified success story for Fincher but it wasn't anywhere close to being an embarrassment.

Certainly, the man's stylistic fingerprints are all over the production, which serves to elevate the material. And there's more than enough suspense and thrills to keep the average viewer entertained.

At least, the director was able to follow this up with Fight Club, which to me, remains his best work.