Intense psychological thriller...

Rating: 10/10 (22 June 1999)

This movie should have been called Paranoia Incorporated... THE GAME was an incredibly intense psychological thriller, one that keeps you guessing at what's real and what's not. Nicholas Van Orton (Michael Douglas), a wealthy investment banker but a miserable human being, receives a gift from his brother Conrad (Sean Penn) on his birthday ("for the man who has everything"). The "game" that Van Orton becomes involved in consumes every aspect of his life and quickly starts to become nightmarish.
Sparingly advertised or critiqued, this movie was very underrated, and was absolutely the best mystery/thriller I have ever seen. At once you think you know everything that is happening and that is going to happen... but you're in for quite a surprise. The reality of THE GAME changes over and over and you are put in Van Orton's place as you try to figure out what's really going on. I give this movie 9 out of 10. I bought this movie as well, and even though I know what the story is, I still like to imagine what I would do in each situation (plus, if I've invited someone over to watch it for the first time, I love to see their reaction as their predictions are repeatedly dashed to pieces). The ending is nervewracking and insane (in a good way, of course), you will be shocked by it. This is also my favorite movie starring Michael Douglas, he is wonderful in it, and all the other characters are believable and well acted. David Fincher has done well with this movie as a successor to Alien 3 and Se7en, he is the paranoia king!