By Melissa Antoinette Garza
I had seen this movie once before but remembered very little about it. The first time I saw it, it was with my brother Geno. I believe it was when it first came to video…or DVD. Were DVDS popular in 1998? Anyways, I remember really liking it and decided to watch it since it’s on Netflix Instant Watch.
First, I’m a fan of Michael Douglas. I think his acting is awesome. I’m very happy he beat cancer, and I respect greatly his prenuptial agreement with Catherina Zeta-Jones which assures he would lose 5 million if he ever strayed. I sincerely dislike cheating and am lucky enough to have married the most loyal man in the world.
People probably notice I talk much of my husband. I can’t help it. He’s the first man I ever truly loved and he’s the best person
that I know. We’ve been together for four years and he still opens the car door for me and sits through horrible TV shows that I love. As one of his first gifts to me, he bought surprise tickets to see a live version of Jim Henson’s Emmet Otter’s Jugband Christmas – a movie I had mentioned once was a childhood joy. He amazes me every day. He’s my muse, my heart, and when we said I do – church bells from across the street actually rang. When I was a young girl, I always loved Cyndi Lauper. She was a fierce fiery woman and her lyric, “Some boys take a beautiful girl and hide her away from the rest of the world…I want to be the one to walk in the sun” has always spoken to me. My husband encourages me to walk in the sun never caring how silly or ridiculous I act. He stands by me like no other and I send my sincerest hope to everyone that they too find their soul mate.
Sorry…in a romantic mood – Okay, I digress.
Sean Penn also stars in the film as Nicholas Van Orton’s (Michael Douglas) brother Conrad. I adore Sean Penn. Penn is something of a God in my mind. I know people say he’s pompous and too political but the man did go out in a small boat attempting to save people during Hurricane Katrina. He walks the walk. To be clear – I’m not a protesting leftist nor am I a right-sided militant; but I do think Penn deserves a bit more respect than he gets. Both as an actor and an activist, I respect him. So many go on and on about what they believe and why but Penn is a hell of a lot more courageous than I am.
That said, I am sinfully bias. I have loved him since I was a little girl watching Shanghai Surprise…which should show my devotion. When he knocked out the photographer protecting Madonna’s honor, I in my youthful naiveté, thought it was the most romantic gesture. Nowadays, I’m not sure anything could repair Madonna’s honor. She’s such a bitch. I can’t stand her. She has an awful attitude and I wish someone would punch her in the face. Her version of American Pie makes me angry. It’s quite obvious that during her heyday, I took Lauper’s side in the pop war.
The Game opens as Nicholas, a wealthy businessman turns 48. The year is significant as it was the same age his father was when
he killed himself. He and his brother go out to dinner. Conrad brings good news advising that he has freed himself of all former addictions. The two seem distant as they make small talk.
To celebrate his birthday, Conrad gives a peculiar gift – access to Consumer Recreation Services (CRS) which provides strange entertainment. They set up a live-action game where the rules are learned as the game progresses. Notes, keys, and clues are all given to Nicholas.
Later, Nicholas goes to the same restaurant as before to meet his brother again. He gets stood up and asks the waitress, Christine (Deborah Kara Unger) if she’s seen him. As she answers, she accidentally spills wine on him. He throws a fit and she subsequently gets fired.
As she leaves he grabs the bill and sees a note that states, “Don’t let her get away.” The game is on as he chases her out and attempts to apologize. While she tries to get away from him, they see a man hit by a car. He is convinced it’s part of the game but calls an ambulance anyways. They come to a parking garage which is pitch-black. Christine swears to know nothing about the game. As she gave the man who collapsed mouth-to-mouth, she’s understandably pissed. They both search for a way out and only see a lit elevator. Without other options, they run to it. Nothing works inside the elevator, until Nicholas puts a key that he received in the slot. When he turns it the elevator moves but quickly blacks out. They get stuck and the only way out is to crawl up.
When they finally pull themselves up, they look around and see a sign that reveals they’re in the CRS office. Quickly, an alarm goes off and they leave only to be chased by a police dog.
Like all great thrillers, the movie has a lot of great action packed twists and turns wrapping into one major surprise. Throughout much of the movie the audience is left scratching their head but the promise of answers is always there.
The movie definitely gets points for originality. The chemistry between the actors also adds to the dramatic elements and helps with the believability in scenes where much of what is happening defies logic.
The pieces do come together at the end but the last scene is so intentionally predictable, it is almost an insult to the 2 hours before it.
The Game is definitely worth a watch on a day when you’re looking for something different and are in the mood for a film that isn’t just going to be background noise.
Scared Stiff Rating: 6.5/10
