David Fincher's "The Game" (1997)

This movie got so weird I never finished it.

It is very entertaining. Not even the presence of the obnoxious Sean Penn can ruin it.

OMG r1, you should revisit it. The ending is what makes it amazing.

R1 you're missing out. It's logistically ridiculous, but it's a hell of a ride. The acting is pretty solid all around, too. There are a number of oddball cult figures who pop up in it as well (Linda Manz, Mark Boone Junior, Carroll Baker). It's one of my dad's favorite movies.

It falls into one of my least favorite thriller tropes.

Beginning “this is all just a game!” Middle: “wait, this isn’t a game!” End: “nah, it was a game the whole time”

Complete shaggy dog story. Even if there’s fun to be had, it’s a kind of BS get out of jail free to just say “none of this has to make any sense because it’s just a game”

[quote]R4 There are a number of oddball cult figures who pop up in it as well (Linda Manz, Mark Boone Junior, Carroll Baker).

Yes, DL icon Carroll Baker in a tiny role… but at least she’s there!

I know "Se7en" is probably regarded as Fincher's best work from this period, but I find "The Game" to be a more fun watch, even if it's technically not the better film. Nonetheless, it's the only film in Fincher's filmography that has the Criterion stamp of approval aside from "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button".

R6 poor Carroll. It really is a throwaway role (the MAID!?), but I'm always glad to see her in anything. I think this was the last major movie she did. I can't believe she turned 90 last month.

I love this (flawed) movie, and the female lead is fantastic.

The nagging quibble I have with the plot is Sean Penn initially sets his brother up with a highly emotional confession/breakdown where he falls apart and howls that this group is ruining his life. Well, most ordinary people are not that good at acting! Most people can’t even lie believably.

I don’t think I could fake a long, hysterical scene with one of my siblings where I’m crying and yelling and sweating. And if a drama queen like me can’t do it, neither can your average joe/jolene.

The Prosecution rests!

I haven’t seen Deborah Unger since the end of the 90s. She’s the best thing about 2 Criterion films and needs a reassessment.

She is fabulous. Kind of a cross between Sharon Stone and Greta Scacchi.

R10 I like Unger a lot too. She's great in this and "Crash". She has an unusual, elven quality; she looks (and kind of sounds) like Liv Tyler to me. She's had some roles since the '90s that were notable—she was in "Thirteen", and later appeared in a very creepy part in the "Silent Hill" film adaptation.

It's a good thing the OP stole this idea for a thread from my post about Jefferson Airplane from the Jeffery Sanker thread.

Otherwise, he'd have no life!

R14 you must be joking