High Class Hokum

Rating: 9/10 (7 March 2004)

'The Game' is the sort of film that Hollywood does best. Michael Douglas plays Nicholas van Orton, a wealthy banker whose brother (Sean Penn) signs him up for a real-life game. When the game proves not to be too much fun, and van Orton finds himself unable to stop it, the question of where the game begins and reality begins is not easily answered. Director Fincher handles this material adroitly, ratcheting up the tension as van Orton fins himself in ever deeper trouble - but it's also very funny, the plot is preposterous, but enacted with such conviction that it keeps you gripped, even as you laugh at its sheer outrageousness. Full marks must go to Douglas (a natural in the role), Penn (playing uncharacteristically nerdy) and Deborah Unger, excellent as a tough and sexy femme fatale.
Fincher's films all seem to have a similar quality, films that dare you to take them seriously but which ultimately make fun of you if you do. 'Se7en' is senseless in terms of the motivation of its characters - 'Fight Club' appears at first to be a study of modern masculinity, but turns out to be just a very clever joke. The key is to enjoy the joke, and the ride, at the same time - and in enabling the viewer to do this, 'The Game' is perhaps his most successful (and least pretentious) work. I was riveted, and although it is nonsense, even moved by the end. Great stuff!