A typically modern "unwise" story,a "temporary" movie.

Rating: 4/10 (13 August 1999)

The biggest of Game's mistakes is its self-undermining storyline.When viewing it for the first time, it is true that a process of intense identification with the Michael Douglas character develops since we cannot but "live" his nightmare -although he is presented as an unsympathetic character.However this identification is violently dissolved by the end of the film-which I will not reveal for obvious reasons. The greatest predicament for the picture appears when put under a second viewing;there,identification-free,the viewer finds himself critically distanced from the character's misfortunes (since the ending is so sadly revealing and demythologising)and unhappily put in the position of a cynical observer of a man's adversities without feeling the slightest emotions of sympathy.This definitely presents a problem for a suspense-mystery film that the creator intends. Apart from this failure ,or should I say in addition ,the inadequate script offers minimum evidence of the "hero"'s redemption and remorse - which are obviously at the core of the narrator's intentions-let us not forget Fincher's obsession with the Christian (or to be more accurate Apocalyptical)philosophical doctrine. The question this film poses, I feel is rather alarming:Why do contemporary filmakers(and it's a pity Fincher,whose Seven is truly one of the finest moments of the decade,awakened this problematic issue),show such indifference to their art's lasting potential? The Game is a movie that could have been better - or even great;its handling ,nevertheless,both by its director but especially by its screenwriters relieves it from that opportunity and condemns it sooner than any of them anticipated.