Twisty-turny thriller makes for compelling viewing

Rating: 9/10 (20 July 2016)

A thriller that is actually thrilling? A complex film which is actually easy to follow? Well, it doesn't happen very often, but occasionally a certain director can pull off a potentially baffling movie and turn it into something of a masterpiece. This is the case with THE GAME, a typically dark and mysterious, occasionally disturbing film from director David Fincher. It's very much in the style of Fincher's other films, so it might be a good idea to have some idea of what to expect with this one. Basically, nothing is what it seems and the whole perception of reality and normal life is subverted in THE GAME, which starts off with a typical businessman in a typically dull life and soon goes off in some very strange directions indeed. Okay, so it's mightily implausible and some parts just don't make sense when you think about them a lot, but this is a darn sight better than most contemporary thrillers which are content to rehash old ideas and styles. Yes, it's original, and yes, it's a cracker.
There is an almost constant stream of intense situations, puzzles, and little mysteries going on in this movie. There's always something odd or exciting going on which means that it holds the attention throughout, from the very beginning to the very ending. The acting is exceptional, with Michael Douglas perfectly cast as the hard businessman caught up in some very strange situations. Sean Penn also has a good, if small, role as his wacky brother. The supporting cast are uniformly excellent, as is the camera-work, music, everything. Everything is exactly right with this film. Watch out for the weird, yet brilliant moment when Douglas' television starts talking to him. You won't believe your eyes either. There are also about ten twist endings to enjoy before the credits roll. THE GAME is a compelling, twisting thriller which deserves to be see by everybody immediately. Required viewing for Fincher fans, this Hollywood thriller is more mind-bending than most.