Did not age well could only be my understanding to its success.

Rating: 4/10 (13 October 2012)

Have always been a huge fan of Fincher's work (forgiving Alien 3), but this one is definitely not one of it. From the word go, it felt more like a B movie with ridiculous plot twists that are more contriving than intriguing. Going by the number of positive reviews, I think it just did not age well!!
Nicholas Van Orton (Michael Douglas) is an investment banker and is a man who has everything. On his birthday, he receives a gift from his brother Conrad (Sean Penn) who had a troubled past with addiction and mental imbalance. The gift is actually a life experience game designed specific for each individual based on their past and their thought process. Is it really a game? Is it an elaborate scam? Whether you like it or not, it is a Michael Douglas show from start to finish. It is an interesting concept to discuss it over a drink, but just does not seem feasible considering it is either not science fiction or fantasy. Once that is plotted in your mind, whatever happens on the screen just looked ridiculous for me and it is one of those thrillers where you want to get it over with rather than eager to see what happens at the end. Worst part was trying to getaway with a flat screenplay and editing that does not try to be either abstract or non-linear. At least that would keep the audience puzzled a bit. Sean Penn plays an important role and he does a decent job.
Did not age well could only be my understanding to its success.