House of Games (1987)
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Movie Info
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Cast
as Margaret Ford
as Mike
as Joey
as Dr. Littauer
as Billy Hahn
as Businessman
as Girl With Book
as Prison Ward Patient
as Bartender, `House of Games'
as George/Vegas Man
as Bartender, `Charlie's Tavern'
as Western Union Clerk
as Sgt. Moran
as Hotel Desk Clerk
as Restaurant Hostess
as Mr. Dean
as Hotel Doorman
as Garage Attendant
as Woman with Lighter
as Late Student
as Student
as Patient, Dr. Ford's Office
as Man in Restaurant
as Restaurant Hostess
as Woman with Lighter
as Poker Player
as Poker Player
as Poker Player
as Poker Player
Critic Reviews for House of Games
All Critics (25) | Top Critics (1) | Fresh (24) | Rotten (1) | DVD (8)
David Mamet's sometimes baffling, never less than fascinating glimpse into the dark underbelly of this world where it turns out that winning games of chance involve more skill (and con artistry) than luck.
O roteiro é mais previsível do que Mamet desejaria e seu primeiro trabalho na direção exibe uma teatralidade que ele gradualmente superaria, mas, apesar disso, a complexidade de seus personagens e a dinâmica de seus diálogos são admiráveis.
Since it would be unfair to spoil a moment of this perfectly-plotted masterpiece, all you need to know is that it landed on this critic's Best Movies of the Millennium List in 2000.
A conceptual film about con artists, Mamet's feature debut is a deadpan, deviously comic melodrama that proceeds with twists and reversals and builds like a poker game in which the stakes are higher and higher.
fiendishly clever
A top-notch psychological thriller about sexual politics, trust and betrayal.
Audience Reviews for House of Games
Cheesy, dated and more of a film made for tv, yet, there was something quite interesting about this film, that left me enjoying it.
Super Reviewer
Lindsay Crouse is an eminent psychologist who is desperate for adventure. One day she'll meet Joe Mantegna's character, a swindler that will provide her a few tricks to reach a little excitement in her life. There will be, of course, a few bumps on their way. A tight and thoughtful writing and direction along with Juan Ruiz Anchia's stylish photographic work, construct a rich and atmospheric hitchcockian tour de force with no room for gratuitousness, not even in Mamet's notorious use of coarse words. David Mamet's first and easily best film.
Super Reviewer
Okay, so could Lindsay Crouse be any more awful? I know pretty much everyone hates her in this movie but Jesus Christ, that was a dull performance. I don't know if she was attempting sociopathy by way of emotional stunting, but what she really accomplished was sheer tedium. Joe Mantegna wasn't too much better, playing some unctuous cipher for the real star of the movie - the con. Mamet's a pretty damn good writer, lack of range and self-indulgent style notwithstanding, and here he has developed a screenplay that starts out riveting but becomes predictable and floppy. I had the entire half hour of the movie mapped out before it even started; how's that for a disappointing ending? I think we can blame Lindsay Crouse for that too. God, she was bad. But yeah, the first and most of the second act are this great psychological clash between a woman and a man, both of whom make their living working out the human brain in very different ways. The cons themselves are a lot of fun to watch...just not that last one because you know what's coming. I don't know if it's a product of the movie's age or just straight-out simplicity, but it was a bust. Not a bad movie per se, but the payoff was a mess.
Super Reviewer
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