House of Games

Rating:
Summary: Excellent, Enthralling and Compelling!
Review: Whenever you watch a Mamet film, you're in for the most subtle mind manipulation you're likely to get at the movies. Mamet is so skillful at his craft it's scary. 'House Of Games' is the quintessential Mamet film, not because it's the best, but because it has all his elements; a twisting and involving plot, perversely attractive characters and a big wallop of an ending, as expected by the master of manipulation. The film is admirable because of it's subtlety, it has no big noisy scenes, no real action scenes and no steamy romantic scenes, Mamet could of easily added one of each but that would of marred the effect of this expertly crafted film. The dialogue is right on the money, Mantegna talks just as a small-time grifter would talk, no one-liners or really smart conversation, just a low-key dose of reality. Lindsay Crouse if quietly effective as the thrill-seeking pyschiatrist who gets the experience of a lifetime. And Mantegna is perfection as the alluring con-man who does his job fatally well. An extremely well mounted film that leaves the intelligent viewer gasping. Extras: spot William H. Macy in a cameo. From a scale of 1-10 I give this film a 9!

Rating:
Summary: THANK YOU SIR I'LL HAVE ANOTHER
Review: where the heck is my review from about 10 days ago?

Rating:
Summary: My Favorite Film of the 90's
Review: Worth it just for seeing Ricky Jay's film debut. He's the cleverest magician out there, putting the likes of the overblown David Copperfield to shame. This is a subtly acted and directed film, worthy of multiple viewings. There is so much going on and there are so many layers of metaphor, it's a veritable chinese puzzle. There are very few movies, or books for that matter, that reward repeated exposure. This is one that does. Joe Mantegana, who might as well be labeled a protege of Mamet's, delivers his most complex and fully realized characterization to date. His timing is perfectly in tune with Mamet's cadences, which become spellbinding. Crouse is understandably confused, but by no means unintelligent or unaware, which makes for a complex interpretation. She buys into the con, but holds onto her integrity in the process. This is one of those films where the audience, if they are paying attention, shift allegiances about fifteen times. The nearest approximation in Cinema history is "Diobolique," starring Simone Signoret (remade as "Games"). Like that great film, the audience doesn't have any idea who to side with until the end, and even then we are left with questions. This is a great film for anyone interested in the intricacies of con games, the cinema directorial debut of an important American playwright, or anyone else who just enjoys grand entertainment.