The Game - Das Geschenk seines Lebens

Ein ausgezeichneter Thriller von David Fincher mit einer ordentlichen Paranoia. Das Ende, das der Schlüssel zu der ganzen Geschichte ist, ist aber ein wenig widerspruchsvoll. Einerseits war ich schockiert, andererseits ein bisschen enttäuscht. (11.04.2002)

A fast-paced, tense and extremely engaging thriller with a wonderful cast and an even better script. Though I would be more satisfied if the film ended one or two twists earlier, I still think it’s worth a weak five stars. (11.02.2009)

Ich mag Dave Fincher wegen seines Talents, eine großartige Atmosphäre zu schaffen und jedem Film einen eigenen Stil zu geben. Dennoch hat er ein gewisses Problem mit The Game, denn diese geskriptete Mystifikation fühlt sich für mich wie ein Wegwerffilm an. Es ist nicht so, dass ich das ganze Spiel mit dem Zuschauer nicht genossen hätte, es ist nicht so, dass Fincher dem Film nicht seinen typischen Regiestil aufgedrückt hätte. Es fehlt einfach dieses vage, funkelnde Etwas, das zum Beispiel Sieben hat. Andererseits handelt es sich um einen sauberen und sehr geradlinigen Thriller, so dass es unfair wäre, ihm einen Mangel an Tiefgang vorzuwerfen. Das Filmmaterial ist gut genug, um zu unterhalten. (28.03.2006)

The most sophisticated Fincher. I could watch it over and over again and The Game would still be fascinating to me. The paranoid atmosphere is taken to the absolute peak and poor Douglas is effortlessly placed in the most absurd situations that still give me chills to this day. (25.02.2007)

For me, the weakest Fincher's film, not so much because of the direction, where the director sets the bar, but because of the overly contrived script, where it's better not to think about certain parts at all, otherwise the viewer will realize that it simply cannot work. In terms of acting, however, it is an interestingly cast film and especially well-performed - Michael Douglas and Sean Penn belong to the top of the acting profession, and I have a weakness for Deborah Kara Undger. She can give an erotic charge to her female characters. But I really disliked that script with lots of seemingly effective plot twists. Overall impression: 45%. (18.06.2006)

Ich habe eine große Vorliebe für die großartigen Michael-Douglas-Filme der 80er und 90er Jahre, und Finchers The Game ist einer der Höhepunkte dieser großartigen Ära. Wer kann schon spannenden Thrillern widerstehen, in denen Michael praktisch nie den Bildschirm verlässt? Ihm zur Seite stehen Sean Penn und Deborah Kara Unger, das Thema ist in vielerlei Hinsicht zeitgemäß und sehr unterhaltsam. Ein solcher Genuss ist unwiderstehlich. (10.09.2022)

The excellently written character of Michael Douglas and an interesting topic are undeniable advantages, but the uneven pace and slightly disjointed sequence of scenes are clear shortcomings of this peculiar film. The fact is, though, that David Fincher avoids any thematic clichés and each of his films is original and different. Douglas is outstanding again, and this time he is aptly supported by Sean Penn. The plot is nicely unconventional and full of captivating scenes. The question is, how much are you willing to embrace Fincher's game. (11.05.2004)

Typical Fincher. The script is meticulously detailed, exuding escalating tension and, in this case, increasing anxiety about the fate of a protagonist playing against all odds. A grim production design, a superb Douglas and a host of brilliant directorial flourishes; The Game boasts it all, and it all works in such a perfect symbiosis that it's a joy to watch. The only big question mark for me is the ending; it’s certainly well shot, fits well into Fincher's patchwork and managed to shock me quite a bit, but I wasn't expecting such a simple explanation of such a big plot, so down a notch. (15.06.2012)

The script for The Game was originally written back in 1991 with the simple aim of just giving it away to a studio for money, which eventually worked out and made it all the way to Fincher, who with Se7en screenwriter Andrew Walker spent 6 months rewriting so they could sew it together into at least this. It probably couldn't have been done any better without creating something completely different. I can understand the audacious ambition to present the viewer with a lie (which is an inalienable part of film in general) as an actual untruth, and it fits exactly with my idea of a young, brash Fincher wanting to challenge and unnerve the viewer; however he tries relatively successfully to hold it all together, by the end it slips away completely and the whole film implodes into annoying nonsense about a now-wiser curmudgeon who got to the whole finale mainly through an excruciating cavalcade of coincidences that must have made the entire glorious CRS company's forehead drip with sweat. However, the cinematography, lighting, and excellent portrayal of the characters through objects and space still make this a first-rate spectacle, even if the film's punchline, for example, completely degrades any future viewings. (01.03.2020)

Michael Douglas, Sean Penn, and David Fincher – you just can't go wrong. While this is far from Fincher's best film, it is very respectably above average. Suspense, a fair amount of "mystery", a great performance by Michael Douglas, an uncomplicated plot, and a nice ending – that's everything The Game offers. Are you ready to play? (29.03.2009)