Unique David Fincher thriller gem

Rating: 7/10 (14 September 2006)

David Fincher is a master of establishing atmosphere and mood as demonstrated in the White Rabbit sequence. A stumbling, moody, and almost tickling piano score underlines Nicolas Van Orton's (Michael Douglas) delusional mind-state. Douglas is acceptable as the main-character, although somewhat anonymous. That is a good thing! We are supposed to accept this guy as just another guy from the multi-millionaires' club. Sean Penn over-acts as Nicolas' brother Conrad, playing it very paranoid, but there is no question it works.
It is interesting how the movie is constructed so that the audience's mind-state follows Nicolas' mind-state. We develop paranoia in the exact pace he does! When Nicolas believes CRS are after him, we believe it. When he thinks it is a game, we think it. When he doesn't - we don't. Consequentially we are not convinced that it is just a game until the plot-twist end.
"The Game" is, however, not perfect. The last five minutes are mostly unnecessary. It is such a shame David Fincher didn't have the guts to pull off an open ending. The current one leaves no room for further interpreting. An open ending would have left the movie running in the mind of the viewer long afterward.
Its flaws aside, "The Game" is a very successful thriller that should appeal to everyone.