Filmmaker reacts to The Game (1997) for the FIRST TIME!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 1 มิ.ย. 2023
- Hope you enjoy my filmmaker reaction to The Game. :D
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Original Movie: The Game (1997)
Ending Song: / charleycoin
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When this movie came out, David Fincher described it simply as "one giant mind-fuck". Which is definitely accurate, but I think there's more to it than that. Nicolas Van Orten's character arc is really well written and acted, and I get really invested in his redemption, even as the movie is messing with me. This is such an overlooked gem.
Absolutely agree - this is a really underrated film, beautifully shot and crafted.
Wouldn’t have worked without the hospital black out screen. It was the Turning point
Also, to be fair, this big "birthday present" wasn't simply about mind-fucking Nicholas - it was about forcing him to reconnect with his own humanity, and sort out his priorities in life. When we first meet Nicholas, he's cold, controlling, and seemingly alone in the world (almost in a cynical self-imposed exile from family or friends). By stripping Nicholas down, taking away his money/power, forcing him to think on his feet, and forcing him to confront the idea of his father's death (and possibly even his brother's death), CRS basically created a way for Nicholas to get over himself and rediscover what really matters in life.
Well said!!
Correct!!
It's still the same Scrooge/George Bailey problem everybody forgets: the protagonist's sickness is *not their fault.* Nicholas even tells Conrad "Did I have a choice?!" He had to step up and take charge of affairs before he was mature enough. The burden of that responsibility will dramatically reshape a person's identity, and against their will. But those actions allowed Nicholas to prosper and even support Conrad, who went the opposite direction after the death and became reckless.
These characters have all had to make drastic personal sacrifices due to dire situations beyond their control in order to protect their loved ones. And then those loved ones have the nerve to be surprised at the people they turn into. So these protagonists have their entire psyches broken and re-forged MULTIPLE TIMES WITHOUT THEIR PERMISSION by not just life but by the very people they love.
It's a massive betrayal and we're supposed to be okay with it because it's "for their own good." But notice that these people have no problem benefitting from the actions of these people for years before deciding to "help" them. Conrad certainly isn't gonna refund Nicholas for all the money he used up in the past; Clarence didn't intervene in George Bailey's life earlier to make a better difference; and the Ghosts of Christmas waited until Scrooge was almost damned before they woke him up, long after his ability to improve his own life was over.
@@Theomite I... I have no words, that was an epic response. I wish I could thumbs that up twice.
@@Theomite Wow, brilliantly articulated! I totally agree that what CRS is doing is FAR from "unambiguously good" - merely that it likely has had a "good" effect in helping Nicholas change course in life. But you're absolutely correct that the end result doesn't excuse the ethical and moral problems with how they operate. That said, I also don't think the movie necessarily comments on whether or not CRS is "right" or "wrong" for doing what they do - it merely shows that Nicholas seems okay with it (much like Scrooge and George were).
EDIT: Also, at least in this case, there's a valid reason why the "intervening power" didn't intervene in Nicholas's life sooner: unlike angels or ghosts, CRS has to wait until Nicholas (somewhat unknowingly) gives them legal consent to upend and transform his life.
Penn as Micheals brother was PERFECT casting. Sean looks like a member of the Douglas Family with his cleft chin. This is one of my favorite movies of all time. Thanks for reacting to it.
Fincher has famously disowned this film because of the issues with the third act, which his wife warned him was weak and advised he pass on the project, but the fact that he manages to make the ending at all meaningful and moving is a testament to his talent and will.
I still want a goddamn answer as to WHY Nicholas didn't fall to his death in front of his friends, which in my opinion, would've been the perfect cap to the story. If I ever meet Fincher, the second thing I'm going to say to him is "So what was up with the ending to THE GAME?"
I never had a problem with the 3rd act. I thought the ending was fine.
@@Theomite Because it's not directed by Darren Aronofsky.
@@MamadNobari lol I also would have accepted Michael Haneke.
@@Theomite i just saw the film and had the same thought, Nicholas absolutely should have died at the end.
This movie is a brilliant psychological thriller film from director David Fincher, with a surprising twist ending no one saw coming!
It…it sure is!
It…it sure is!
Thanks Netflix synopsis
This is a case where many people, including this reactor, did see the ending coming except the movie keeps faking them out.
yeah, even if you guess it's still all a game, I wonder how many still think it's part of the game after the brother is 'shot' that second twist is something that really screws with you.
This is basically A Christmas Carol, particularly the beginning and end. Extreme experiences to push him into some emotional acknowledgement about himself and his father. But the mind blowing lengths the company went through to pull this off is insane.
Great comparison! I’m a big Christmas Carol fan and never made this obvious connection
David Fincher is personally my favorite director, and The Game is one of his films I don’t feel gets enough love. Absolutely solid film. Almost feels like a twisted take on A Christmas Carol in some aspects.
This movie definitely dials up the level of suspension of disbelief that’s required but it’s so good. Watching it for the first time is crazy.
This is one of my favorite thrillers of the late 90s. I was blown away by this film in the theater. I recommend it to everyone I can who asks for movie recommendations.
James you are the man for this one, I’ve been telling content creators to react to this film for years and you’re the first one to do it to my knowledge, me and my mom watched this on DVD when it first dropped and my mind was BLOWN! This is a masterpiece. ❤straight 🔥
I can quickly count at least 7 reaction videos, to this movie. I've watched several of them, in the past.
@@akyhne well not everyone is subscribed to the same people but I hear ya. That’s awesome
You took the words out of my mouth and commented first. Ty.
Me too, I spent years trying to get anyone, ANYONE to react to it. I gave up, but James here did it. Happy birthday to me I guess.
Happy to hear this Kevin! You’re the man. Stay cool brother!
This wasn't just a normal b-day experience gift, his brother gave him the gift of happiness and living life again. The gift kicked in after the experience.
The only problem I have with this film is him not punching every last one of those assholes who did this to him in the teeth, especially his brother, instead of just laughing and going along with them like nothing happened.
The theory is that people's personalities change when something incredibly intense and spectacular happens to them.
@@MamadNobari Exactly what I always thought. Just the normal thing a sane person would do, but maybe that experience already affected his mental health at that point...
@Mamad Nobari he didn't because when he jumped he had come to terms with how bad his life was. Realizing that everyone present at the party knew that and decided to help in his "resurrection" immediately made him forgive their extreme methods. Is it plausible? Maybe not for you and me but we are not like Van Orten so there's that.
@@MamadNobariif he would of done that what would he then learned?
"What is going on here?!" is the exact perfect reaction to this amazing film! I'm so happy you checked out this film and enjoyed it. This is one that is still enjoyable on rewatch, always pick up something new. Have a wonderful day James
YES! This was my first Fincher film I saw when I was in high school. I fell in love. I love the cinematographer he worked with on this film and it influenced me HEAVILY in my own photography and cinematography. Such a cool story.
The theory is that people's personalities change when something incredibly intense and spectacular happens to them.
Not much of a theory that's pretty much what happens with severe trauma.
This still continues to be my favorite Fincher movie. I love it...
I’ve seen an interview with David Fincher about this film he said that indispersed amongst his bigger films (Se7en, Fight Club) he likes to do ‘Silly Alfred Hitchcock’ popcorn movies purely for entertainment purposes. As with all of DFs films you have to suspend belief for a couple of hours for it to work but I think this is a incredibly crafted masterpiece - Michael Douglas is flawless.
James seems stuck in "What is going on " loop.
I remember that feeling watching this. 🤣😄
One of my best film theatre experiences ever. Went in blind, by myself and has an amazing time with this film. So glad you reacted to it. Love this film.
I don’t recall what I was able to solve before the reveal but this film was instantly one of my personal all-time favorites. There are films you forget, and there are a few you never could. This film occupies the latter for me.
An underrated Fincher gem that I feel like no one talks about anymore
It's a great film, but it was sandwiched between Se7en and Fight Club. Add that to the poor box office showing, and it falls between the cracks a lot.
Underrated Masterpiece
Absolutely brilliant film. And so underrated and not known about. Thanks for reacting to it.
Fincher is wildly underrated. He is so dynamic and captivating. His shots cinematography really quietly changed the game moving into the 2000's.
This movie is one of only a very few movies that I think are pretty masterful in the way the story unfolds. Thanks for reacting to it!
It was to make him understand his father's suicide. It had haunted him his whole life (as telling by the flashbacks) so the Game was therapy in that through accepting suicide he was able to let go of the death of his father and live his life. The Game had to be that elaborate because how do you get someone who has "everything" to commit suicide willingly?
I still don't understand how it works out in the end. He was driven to suicide by The Game. Just because he survives doesn't mean he stops being suicidal. If it's a whole "real life Flatliner" thing where you bring someone to rock bottom to get them a Moment of Clarity, it's reckless and also condescending: it puts all the onus on the protagonist to change when the protagonist is who they are specifically because of *them.* "Yeah, ignore all the shit and toil you went through to become who you've become and let go an become who you are" is extremely toxic bullshit.
@@Theomite I don't think that was the tone the movie was going for. You're describing a more grounded, realistic film about suicide when this movie feels like a modern retelling of a fable or fairy tale (think Christmas Carol) where the cathartic end is essential.
I cannot state how happy I am to see you check this movie out. This was a movie I put on many sleepless nights in college. My wife on the other hand...I have never heard someone vehemently curse out the ending of a movie the way she did.
My wife watched it for the first time with me recently. She pointed out that all of the challenges Nicholas faced were actually foreshadowed in the flash cards used during his preliminary examination. I have seen the movie numerous times and never noticed that.
Funny that you say "omnipotent" because one of the theories that I've heard is that this movie is really about the idea of life itself being a trial in a grand game. Not that Nicolas actually died (or maybe) but rather fleshing out the concept of an omnipotent manipulator and an afterlife. A nice detail is the poster for the banquet at the end, it says that the party will take place somewhere between two very specific times. It invites you to ponder the ludicrousness of the twist instead of trying to shield itself from it, the concept that whatever predictive software the company has is so precise that they actually pinpointed his attempted suicide down to a matter of minutes is ridiculous enough to push people into higher thinking. The idea that something or someone is up there with all the resources and all the controls, putting you through specially tailored challenges and breaking you down so you live life and gain empathy until you die and find that your loved ones who you thought were dead are sitting at a party waiting for you to get there, to me at least, is a bit beautiful. I can't take credit for the theory, but after I heard it I viewed the ending as much less insidious and more emotional, much like what the idea of an afterlife does to a persons view on life
its treating him a lesson in not being selfish,self centred and being more generous with his time,great film,you can watch this every few years and it will still feel fresh.
I'm usually good at predicting twists, but this movie got me. I'm glad someone finally reacted to it. Hidden gem lost in time.
Dude ive been trying to rediscover this movie for like 15 years!
I never did proper research to find it is probably why, but cool as shit it crossed my path again haha
It's crazy how underrated this movie is.
Let's be real here: Sheltered uber-rich people would totally refer a company specializing in making them a protagonist in their own action thriller flick to each other, no question.
"Is this for real?"
You've summed up this movie so well in just four words!
Greatest thriller movie for me, so glad you finally saw this other masterpiece. 🙂💙
Andy Kevin Walker - the writer of Seven - was brought in to do an uncredited rewrite of this, which would become the shooting script. Same with Fight Club. I guess you could call this their second collaboration. Extraordinary mind-f*ck of a film. So happy that Walker and Fincher are finally back together for 'The Killer'.
Out of all the twist ending films that came out around then, like Usual Suspects and Sixth Sense and all of those, this one takes the cake in my mind because it has about five twists. I wish I could, as they say in the movie do it all over again for the first time, because re-watching it you obviously get a lot out of it each time re understanding just how they did all this, but the first time really is a mine f*** of the highest order. Super glad you did this one, your commentaries are always informative and fascinating about what you get out of these films, and this one is such a weird one and so unique that is exciting to hear what you got out of it
Jackie Brown and now this? Man, you are on a streak of underrated gems!
15:30 cracked me up!
Just the image of James being one of those guys in Central Park who start swinging any time someone comes near them 🤣
Hands are indeed rated E FOR EVERYONE
Happy Birthday???
Want to vote on what I should watch next? Click here! www.patreon.com/jamesvscinema
Have a great day!
Hello James :) im not sure if you are up to watch foreign movies but i reccomend you to watch Nueve Reinas (Nine queens) not even here doing a reaction just a movie to look up in your free time. The only thing is the audio but for many years the audio was the big problem in movies from my country.
Der Name der Rose (1986) please!.
It's my birthday today!
SLACKER. Hopefully.
"My soul came out of my ass!" needs to be on a T-Shirt. Get those $$
This movie is the definition of underrated
This movie is both incredibly dark and incredibly inspirational at the same time lol
One of my all time favorite movies, and you’re one of the first I’ve seen here reacting to it. Really enjoyed your commentary. SUBBED!
The ending blew my mind, it reminded me of the ending of Sixth Sense and Arlington Road. And it is what it is, no one cheated him, no one stole him, everything was set up to get to that end, and the brother gives him all this experience, to get him out of the dark and gray life he had, giving him a strong emotional experience and helping him to change and value life more, it is not that he wanted to harm him, because everything ends well for him in the end and you even see him more friendly and sympathetic.
"My soul just came out of my ass," is now 100% in my grab bag of phrases.
😭😭😭 had to let that fly hahaha
One of my favorite little filmmaking details in this movie: when the TV anchor starts talking to Nicholas, he starts subtly "morphing" from one position to another, as if the image on the TV is being computer-generated in some way. The morphing is never too flashy or obvious, but it adds to the creepy underlying sense that we're looking at something uncanny or unnatural.
Like Fight Club and The Usual Suspects this is one of those movies that you can't watch the same way twice.
James.... I'm writing this before I saw your reaction. It doesn't matter whether I like it or not,.....just the fact that you react to this film...YES....and now..back to the video😉
Someone on another TH-cam channel pointed out that "The Game" was a retelling of "A Christmas Carol", with Nicholas Van Orton as Scrooge. Here is how I responded to that:
"Yes! Just like "A Christmas Carol", with the timeline and some of the characters put in a blender. We start out “home movie style” with a memory of Nicholas as a child at his birthday party (ghost of Christmas past), then proceed immediately to the present day where he meets brother Conrad for lunch (meeting nephew Fred Holloway who invites his uncle Scrooge to Christmas dinner), then a firing of Anson Baer (threatening to fire Bob Cratchit). The TV news anchorman explaining the rules of the Game (Jacob Marley). To me, Deborah Kara Unger, as Christine--or CHRISTine) could be seen as the ghost of Christmas present, Nicholas' guide through the Game, without letting him know she was in on the Game. The ghost of Christmas future (or ghost of Christmas yet-to-come) had its biggest moment with Scrooge seeing his own tombstone in the cemetery, and Nicholas woke up (after being drugged) in a graveyard in Mexico (start of the 3rd act in the film), with him falling from the skyscraper near the end (Scrooge falling into his own grave site--even though that was in Disney's animated "A Christmas Carol" and not in other versions I've seen) and landing on the airbag marked with an “X” (“X” marks the spot) a changed man (like Scrooge landing on his bed at home, waking up to Christmas morning and buying the Christmas meal for Cratchit's family and accepting his nephew Fred's invitation to Christmas dinner-Nicholas attending his birthday party with Anson Baer and his brother Conrad in attendance). By the end of the film, Michael Douglas' character has transformed from Scrooge to St. Nick!"
Literally THE ONLY movie I wish I could watch for the first time again. Such an incredible journey. 🤘🏻
This movie is a masterpiece, one of my favorite Fincher movies. Perfection!
FROM THE UK- I felt EXACTLY the same as you when I first saw it on VHS back in the 90’s it’s such a complete film it gets you thinking, has an amazing sound track, and so much more ❤❤❤
I LOVED your reaction, and was excited when I saw this. I remember when it first came out and it's such an INSANE roller coaster gem of a movie that far too few people know about. So, SO good!
I love the whole reason behind The Game. Nikki was a man who had everything yet was dead inside had forgotten how to live. What better way to make someone learn this who has everything in life you take it all away from him. Brilliant movie.
I dunno: TELL HIM? Describe the situation to him intellectually as a businessman would to another when pitching an elaborate business plan?
This movie was and is one of the best movies ever!
It’s a good one, isn’t it? Not sure why but I always tear up a bit at the end, when he jumps / after he lands. I dig it. Thanks for the reaction!
Me too, my eyes even leaked a little just watching that part in this reaction.
Me too! Thought I was the only one getting over emotional lol
@@vapor4 Heck no! You’re not alone, friend. 👊
I watched this with my dad when I was 7 and it blew my tiny mind lol Really glad more people are finding it.
one of my favourite movies... very glad to see your reaction was like mine when i first watched this movie
Anytime! Happy to have watched it :)
So glad to see you cover this movie. It was an amazing show but no one ever seems to cover it. Love the channel!
My guess is the transformation of a cold mechanical ruthless business workaholic. Broken down and meant to face his fears insecurities and sense of shielded untouchable-ness into a grounded human being with new eyes to actually see the people he engages with on a day to day bases. Having literally killed off his old self. The gift of having his humanity back.
The casting for Michael Douglas's dad was on the money.
What a movie.
What a random surprise that you're watching this
I celebrated when I saw this video pop up. Such a brilliant film and one I always come back to each year.
For a moment I was thinking.... "woah, are we watching Succession?". Never realised the intro was inspired from this movie's beginning.
This has been one of my favorite movies for decades, in spite of its flaws. I was completely fooled when Nick woke up in Mexico, penniless. I think the gift that Nick's brother is giving him is an understanding of what may have motivated his father; that his father's suicide was not about Nick at all. The scope of the writing is awesome, however fragile the plot. Like you, though, James, I'm left wondering at the idle entertainments of the very rich. Great reaction and analysis!
I never got the feeling that Nicholas blamed himself for his father's suicide, only that he was broken by the loss and crushing responsibility left in the wake of it.
@@Theomite I agree. I did get the impression from the "memory" segments that his dad may have been a bit cold to him, and that Nicholas felt this and thought this was a factor, but didn't blame himself.
This movie might be in my top 10.
I was expecting average and I got a 4 star edge of your seat thriller with one of the best endings I've ever seen.
This is my favorite movie that I never think about. Like only when someone talks about it or I see a reaction video, then I’m like “oh hell yeah that is a great movie” but it’s never in my off-the-cuff top five
One of the wildest rides ever! Fantastic choice!
Great review as always. I look forward to your videos to help me decide what to watch for a second time.
You're supposed to question everything, during the movie.
So essentially, they had you, where they wanted you.
How could I forget this masterpiece existed?!? 🤯🤯🤯 what a brilliant movie
Watching this for the first time is a blast. Trying to figure stuff out, who’s being real and who’s not, what’s going to happen next. It’s great.
This film along with "Primal Fear" and "Ravenous" are films that hit different when I saw them as a kid in the 90's and are memorable decades later.
One of my fav movies of all time
A Sean Penn film absolutely not to miss is "At Close Range".... a disturbing film based on real events. Even from that young age he was an incredible actor.
James,
I am so happy that you reacted to this movie!!
This is one of me and my best friends favorite movies. I love a lot of the new school psychological thrillers, but our old school ones weren't to shabby huh? The main thing I loved about this reaction was how many times you said what is going on😂😂
When we first watched it we did the same and for years after when ever we would see to many white vans in one place we would vacate immediately! I'm so glad you enjoyed it.
No lie, but who here thought that the clown doll would lead to a jump scare?
Also, FUN FACT: The man who plays Nicolas's father is Charles Martinet, who's known for voicing Mario in the Super Mario Bros video games.
this is one of my favorite movies. the buildup and second act are absolutely perfect.. the third act is the only weak part but even though the ending was weak plot-wise it was done SO well! I go back and watch the ending again sometimes just because of how charming it is. like the whole reveal and party is absolutely ridiculous but look what fincher did with it! so much grace in his hand with every moment of this movie
Tells the Game "quit playin games." Love it!
Ive always loved how this movie put itself into a popular theme along that time. Movies like 'Matrix', 'Truman Show', 'Cube' or 'Conspiracy Theory' all presents their main characters as involuntary participants within certain systems, screenplay or conspiracy and force them fight against it. Its subtle sometimes but ive noticed that many movies around end of the 90's and beginnig of 2000's touched similiar topics.
I was SO let down by CONSPIRACY THEORY. I wanted more from it instead of a generic thriller. But _The X-Files_ spoiled me.
The ONLY thing that sucks about this movie is that I will NEVER EVER be able to watch it for the first time again! It kills me!
Wow, saw this when it premiered. Can't believe it's over 25 years ago. Loved it!
So glad you watched this one of my favorite fincher films that goes under a lot of people’s radar 🙌🏽❤️ also loving the reactions to Barry, so sad the show is over but glad I can rewatch through your reactions.
Haven't watched the reaction yet but this is one of my favorite movies. Super excited you are reviewing this!
Another Fincher film I recommend if you haven't seen it is Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. There is also a Swedish miniseries version which is good as well, but if you're going for the Fincher aesthetic, Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is fantastic. Fair warning, there a couple of very graphic scenes
Jodie Foster was originally cast as the younger sibling (although it was first written as his daughter) - but she pulled out due to differences with Fincher and scheduling conflicts with the film Contact. The part was then rewritten and Penn accepted after the role was offered to Jeff Bridges, who declined.
yesss! i was waiting for you to react to this one
Woah first Jackie brown and now The Game ?! Two bangers!
Sooo good. Went to the theater with my dad and was a bit overwhelmed how good it was.
You know a movie is good when it tells you in the title that it's just a game, but it still tricks you, and you refuse to fully believe it.
That is one of the greatest movies ever created, period.
It's somewhat forgotten, even to those that really enjoy the movie, but it's definitely up there.
They just don't make movies like this any more, sadly.
PS: Stop saying that everything is "insane" and "crazy", there are other words like thrilling, engaging, fantastic, great, nice, awesome, exciting and so on.
Just a few seconds in and I’m sooo excited for you to watch it for the first time ( I know it’s already happened lol) but I love this movie so much , saw it at 9 years old and my mind was blown .
So glad u watched!! Been one of my favorites for years!!
This was probably one of your funniest reactions so far
Hilariously I rented this video and watched it at home and right before he was about to jump off the building I had to go to work and the rental was overdue so I returned it thinking I knew what was going on and it was years before I realized the actual ending of the movie🤣🤣
YES!!!! THANK YOU!!!
No one reacts to this and its FANTASTIC!!!💗💗💗💗💪😎💪
Hey james i hope all is well and your doing good proud of you love ya my boy❤
Doing so good! Thank you
David Fincher at it again.
The film works best if you just assume that the company somehow had an answer to every possible unpredictable response from Nicholas.
It's hard to imagine what they would do if a police car drove by and saw a bunch of masked people fire automatic rifles at a building and car, though.
You're so talented at making me feel like I can conquer any challenge in the game!
Hahahaha I love that. Honestly I be just trying to survive 😭😭