House of Games (1987)

Directed by David Mamet. Starring Lindsay Crouse, Joe Mantegna, Mike Nussbaum, Ricky Jay, Lilia Skala, J. T. Walsh, Steven Goldstein, William H. Macy, Karen Kohlhaas. [R]

Playwright and screenwriter Mamet makes his directorial debut with this elaborately merciless con game of a thriller where anyone could be getting played at anytime, especially the audience. Chilly, uptight psychiatrist Crouse falls victim to smooth-talking Mantegna’s confidence game, but instead of swallowing her pride and moving on, she’s intrigued, even excited, and allows herself to get closer to him while learning the tricks of his trade. Cold, curt, yet subtly sinuous; the studied rigidity of its “outsider” protagonist makes it challenging at times to invest sympathy, but the way Mantegna and his shady crew of grifters operate is always fascinating. May not contain too many big surprises—when dealing with acknowledged liars, only a fool wouldn’t always be on the lookout for the nothing-as-it-seems deception—but still delivers the goods as a calculated exercise in behavior, response, trickery and seduction. Mantegna’s vital performance is itself a diabolical distraction, making it easy to overlook the credibility gaps, but what a bluff! Later turned into a stage play (not by Mamet).

82/100