The Game

Nicholas Van Orton is a mutli-millionaire, a successful business man who has everything. Except enjoyment in life. He goes through everything alone, alienating everyone from his colleagues to his ex-wife to his brother. But one day (his birthday, to be specific), said brother gives him a gift. Entry into a 'game', something that will "make his life fun again". Soon after strange things begin to happen, dolls appear in his driveway, keys in his glovebox, people who are working for someone start popping up everywhere. As he delves deeper and deeper into this 'game', his life beings to spin out of control, and some sinister intentions are seemingly revealed that could cost him everything...

Every director seems to have that one movie of theirs that, for one reason or another, doesn't get that much attention. David Fincher (of such things like Fight Club, Se7en, and Zodiac) has The Game. And it's rather a shame, as it is a tight little thriller that makes for some good watching.

Michael Douglas plays the main businessman, and he does it very well. He plays someone who always wants to be in control, has to have everything just so. When everything starts to slip from his grasp, and he steadily goes more and more over the edge (slightly reminding one of his earlier turn in Falling Down), he does it excellently. As does his supporting cast of characters, including Sean Penn and ultimate That Guy James Rebhorn (trust me, you will know him when you see him).

This movie is also more subdued, and avoids many of the heavy editing techniques Fincher went crazy with for some of his other films. Every shot, while usually dark and dreary (naturally), is composed and effective, and creates a good atmosphere of creepiness and uncertainty. However, it's certainly not a horror movie, save for maybe a few freaky moments. It's a thriller in the intriguing sense, as you begin to wonder how the things that are happening are happening.

And... to be perfectly honest, that's where a little fantasy comes in. Much like movies such as The Dark Knight, the plan revolving around Nicholas is so outrageously complicated and intricate, there's no way it could work as well as it did. But the movie still plays it straight, and keeps everything moving in such a way that you never really notice or care (much like The Dark Knight). And the ending, actually, is a bit unexpected, and in my opinion, entirely satisfying.

So, an interesting thriller with some good twists and turns, excellent acting, and solid camera work makes for one definitely worth watching. Be it because you're a big Fincher fan or just someone in the mood for a nifty mystery, it's something easy to enjoy by most everyone.

Trailer (that's scarier than the movie, trust me): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0kqQNBR09Rc