Filmmaker reacts to The Game (1997) for the FIRST TIME!
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- Опубліковано 28 вер 2024
- Hope you enjoy my filmmaker reaction to The Game. :D
Full length reactions & Patreon only polls: / jamesvscinema
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
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.
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?
James seems stuck in "What is going on " loop.
I remember that feeling watching this. 🤣😄
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.
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.
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.
Absolutely brilliant film. And so underrated and not known about. 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.
Fincher is wildly underrated. He is so dynamic and captivating. His shots cinematography really quietly changed the game moving into the 2000's.
Underrated Masterpiece
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.
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!
This movie is a masterpiece, one of my favorite Fincher movies. Perfection!
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😉
This movie was and is one of the best movies ever!
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.
One of my fav movies of all time
Literally THE ONLY movie I wish I could watch for the first time again. Such an incredible journey. 🤘🏻
For a moment I was thinking.... "woah, are we watching Succession?". Never realised the intro was inspired from this movie's beginning.
How could I forget this masterpiece existed?!? 🤯🤯🤯 what a brilliant movie
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.
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.
So glad u watched!! Been one of my favorites for years!!
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.
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.
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.
Great review as always. I look forward to your videos to help me decide what to watch for a second time.
Hey james i hope all is well and your doing good proud of you love ya my boy❤
Doing so good! Thank you
This is one of those movies you can only truly enjoy the first time. It’s still great on rewatching, but that first time is the best.
I'd say that's true .... But it's fun watching others react to it!
You're kinda right. I've never been quite as pissed off at the ending as I was the first time I saw it. I literally screamed "WHAT?!" and threw the video box at the wall when I saw that. The ending is such a goddamn cop-out.
Happy birthday!
One of my favorite movies. I've watched it at least 10 times.
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.
Woah first Jackie brown and now The Game ?! Two bangers!
Great modern classic and great reaction!
Best review - "Just give me a cake."
😂😂
The purpose of the Game was to give him the one thing he could not buy with all the money he had. When his father killed himself he could not understand why he would do it. Why would a man who seems to have everything want to die? He went through his life not being able to understand his father's thinking or mindset. The Game was designed to give him that understanding. They purposely drove him mad and then at the end dumped a F**k ton of guilt on him thus driving him over the edge (literally). Yet after surviving the fall, he walked away with an understanding of how a man like his father could do such a thing. Which in turn will allow him to enjoy the rest of his life. Hence the "I once was blind but now I see" quote.
oh snap....good flick bruh!! lookin foreward to this.
Banger lets go.
haven't watched this since it came out in '97.
now looking back, I see many shots and cues picked up later by an Argentinian show called "Los Simuladores", where a group of elite conmen would pull off the craziest heists to steal, influence or otherwise mess the F up out of some mark.
*THIS* is what it would have felt like, for the mark.... to have your reality shifted and turned inside out, to the point where you think you're going insane.
the closest analogy to the show, compared to this movie, would be the end of season 1, where they con another conman into signing up to a reality show the likes of Survivor, and they send him to the middle of the jungle.
it's the only episode where it's mostly from his point of view... the rest of the season is always shots of the main team playing their roles: dressing up for the part, handling props and fireworks, driving the extras in and out, very Mission Impossible like.
this movie, Saw, and Swordfish from 2001, I bet were major influences for that show: nothing is what it seems.
I LOVE finding ppl that haven't seen this movie and watching it with them. The ending DESTROYS ppl the first time hahaha
This one was so different from what I was use to. Very memorable. Especially the poltergeist clown cameo. Or was it the one from F/X. Whatever, it was a fun watch.
The "What is going on?" movie?! Dude...how many times?? lol
One of the best thrillers of the 90's!
cut go crazy bro❕😂
Ayyyy thanks to my barber. He’s a lifesaver!
What a movie
Even watching Matrix Resurections, Joan Báez’s song still gives me chills only cause this master piece
"WHAT IS HAPPENING!?" lolololol 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
I consider The Game to be a horror adjacent thriller.
Hairline crispy 💅💖🥰
We stay freshly fresh 💁🏽♂️
I'm just here to watch the greatest taxi ride ever.
He drifted that thang didn’t he!? 😂😂
That "old family footage" looks exactly like the Succession intro. Wonder if they took it from this?
Plot twist: all of life is The Game. We're all here being tormented because it will make the life outside of Earth so much better. We think it's a cruel joke, but it's really a wonderful gift.
I dig that!
This is by far my favorite movie. It's better and better each time. The question of what do you give to someone who can and does have everything? You give them perspective..... There are so many layers to this film. You should watch it again just to take it all in. One last thought question, what was the final $bill?
an exciting movie that i wish had gone through one more rewrite, the ending was good but it felt like Nicholas had yet to really prove that he was a changed man at the end. It was very well directed and acted but man it just could have been tied up really well at the end.
This movie is so awesome and then the ending happens.
Genjutsu after genjutsu after Nathan Fielder. I like your thinking!
The original "it's just a prank bro"!
Fincher is brillant. Fight Club, Gone Girl, Se7en, The Game. Master behind the camera.
Movie Is a classic. Not many people know about it .
Up next: The Hunted! Starring Tommy Lee Jones!
🎵And God said to Abraham, "kill me a son."🎵
Followed by Breakdown with Kurt Russell!
It would be fantastic if they would do the game 2.
You should watch Smokin Aces ❤
Love the channel man, you gotta watch la la land🔥🔥
I hope when I make my first movie you do a reaction video to it.
I’ll be awaiting!
@@JamesVSCinema 🙏🏻
I envy all who can still watch this movie for the first time.
This is a good film.
i hope the upcoming tv series version would be set in a world where this movie is acknowledged as fictional, but the game still exist outside of the movie anyways (BUT DOES IT REALLY?)
and it'd be really cool if there's a ridiculous time skip (like 10 years) after the game is done, but it goes on again like it never stopped
and the "new CRS" is just a sham made by a higher "CRS" (probably)
and then THE LITERAL BEST would be if the show just ENDS right after opening up a bunch of questions
The first time I watched this movie, I disliked it. But I couldn't remember why. So I rewatched it and thought it was great... until the end. It pushed my suspension of disbelief too far.
Who else thinks the opening credits of Succession copied off the aesthetics of the flashbacks from The Game? That was my first thought when I watched Succession
This movie is a wild ride. On repeat viewings and under scrutiny, the plot kind of falls apart. But I feel like the pacing and acting do a great job of making you not really care about that too much, especially the first time you see it. It kind of reminds me of The Truman Show, in that you slowly realize that nothing is real and everybody is in on this big conspiracy, but the mood of this film is much darker. You're right, it has a noir kind of feel to it.
Werent you intrigued?? Lol...what a movie!
Is this for real?!?
IM GONNA stop saying is this for real?!?!
Is this for real?!?
Are you for real?!?!
😂😂😂😂
IS ANYTHING REAL!?
As a true lover of the cinema, how many Oliver Stone/Robert Richardson movie collaborations have you seen? I would love to watch your reaction for jfk... Love the channel..
Thank you for your scope.
Ayyyy thanks!!
Think of the amount of money that gift would cost yo! Mafs talk about the 1% these are the 0.0000000000001% er's
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.
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.
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.
"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
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.
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.
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.
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 $$
Greatest thriller movie for me, so glad you finally saw this other masterpiece. 🙂💙
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...
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'.
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
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!
I watched this a few months ago as a mind-fucky thriller - I thought it was so, so stupid =P the twist is that there is no twist! He gets told he's gonna be fucked with, and the whole film is him being fucked with, as promised. Like, the whole time the viewer is going "what's happening? who exactly are these people and why are they doing what they're doing?" - and the answer is, they're psychotic employees doing thier job for a psychotic prank company.
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!
Also Succession stole this intro lol
The ultimate catharsis.
David Fincher at it again.
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
You're supposed to question everything, during the movie.
So essentially, they had you, where they wanted you.
This movie is both incredibly dark and incredibly inspirational at the same time lol
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.
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.