What a thriller should be.

Rating: 8/10 (5 April 2008)

The first act of The Game (the first 30min) were immaculate. The plot set-up was perfect, characterisation was sublime, it was a textbook screenplay. And from this moment on, I was hooked. The deviation from normality following this immensely realistic opening created an amazing contrast that set the tone of the film.
The plot twists come and go, and you never really know what is going to happen - the guessing game is expertly crafted both by Fincher in his direction, as well as John D. Brancato and Michael Ferris in their screenplay.
Michael Douglas was faced with the task of holding this film upon his shoulders, as it was essentially a one-man show, and he was amazing. His fraying emotions heightened his downward spiral and altered viewer perceptions of the character as a result. Sean Penn was very good as Conrad, the brother, as is Deborah Kara Unger, as the ever mysterious Christine.
Fincher's direction only cements his position as one of the greatest directors of modern day (our generation, if you will). Along with Se7en and Fight Club, his films are cult legends and The Game doesn't let you down one bit.