Paranoiac, thought-provoking and highly entertaining thriller.

Rating: Null/10 (3 May 2003)

Always keeping you on the edge of your seat, `The Game' is a brilliantly crafted psychological thriller with a cool scenario. And the promising plot leads to a conclusion that doesn't disappoint. The storyline alone is enough to recommend `The Game' but this is well backed up on most other levels. The script is well timed with plenty of imaginative sequences along with more twists and turns than a helter-skelter. There are also some appropriately dark directing techniques that are frequently used along with cool camera angles.
The acting is very good, even if it is mainly a one-man-show. Michael Douglas was well cast in the lead role and the paranoia and odd occurrences in his normally quiet lifestyles make his transition very convincing. Sean Penn doesn't get a whole lot of screen time but does well in the few scenes that he's in. Deborah Kara Unger is standard is Christine, the woman you can and can't trust. There's some other average support from the likes of James Rebhorn, Armin Mueller Stahl and an actress that appeared to have vanished off the face of the Earth- Carroll Baker.
The film grips like glue and doesn't let go until the `smack-in-the-face' conclusion. It doesn't make a whole lot of logical sense, but then again this is Hollywood we're talking about. Another good thing is the way it is so involving. We feel as though we are plunged into this world of surprises and betrayal that the protagonist is experiencing.
It's an engaging puzzle that has to be worked out, so `The Game' is quite possibly the best psychological `rubix cube' thriller in years. It may heavily border on surrealism at times, but still remains very enjoyable and highly tense. I give it 7.9/10.