House of Games

Pros: Joe Mantegna, Lindsay Crouse, Supporting Cast, Story, Score, Cinematography
Cons: Don't come here if you don't like to think

House of Games (1987) "We can't hide what we are. We may or may not do what we want to but our body "tells." Mike A celebrated psychiatrist gets to try out her theories in the "real world" in House of Games, by first-time director ...

Pros: What a mean film
Cons: Crouse is one ugly mother

So I saw America's Sweethearts last night. I got about half way done with writing my review for it, and I finally said screw it. It's not that's it's a bad movie, or a particularly good one; it's just that it's uninspiring and not worth...

Pros: Mantegna and Mamet provide the basis for a classic con-game.
Cons: Crouse is flat, and the format might seem less clever these days than in 1987.

David Mamet films are a lot like caviar – rich and rewarding for those that like it, annoying and overdone for those that don’t. While I’m not actually a huge fan of caviar – and hence my analogy/simile/metaphor is already flawed -- I’m a huge Mamet...

Pros: A fun plot...
Cons: turns to mush

There are two distinct David Mamets. Mamet the (acclaimed) Writer harnesses the halting way we talk, or, more to the point, the way we sound; Mamet the Director seems to encourage his actors to emphasize every comma, every ellipsis of that dialogue--to...

Pros: Mantegna & his crew are great. All of the cons are fascinating
Cons: Crouse is not great, nor are several supporting actors.

David Mamet’s 1987 directorial debut “House of Games” is a mixed bag of tricks. On the one hand, it’s incredibly clever and entertaining, exposing most of us to the world of con men & their games for the first time. However, on the other hand, it’s...

Pros: good plot, intelligent script
Cons: stiff acting

I watched this movie for the first time on video in early July, and thoroughly enjoyed it. It has an intelligent script and plot, and after the first ten minutes or so I was on the edge of my seat, waiting for the rest of the story to unfold.

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Pros: Story
Cons: Acting, delivery of dialogue

This is the first film directed by David Mamet, whose writing credits include "The Untouchables," "Glengarry Glen Ross," and "The Spanish Prisoner." He has since directed a few more films of his own including "The...

Pros: Clever plot; some good dialog
Cons: Acting is too mannered; some plot holes

It's hard to write a review about any movie involving con men without giving anything away, but I'm going to try.

I like con movies, although there is a sameness about a lot of them. No matter how clever or surprising the plot, you need...

Pros: Plot. Writing. Dialogue. Dialogue. Dialogue.
Cons: Acting is definitely the weakest point of the film. Direction feels very 'play-like'.

It amazed me that Mamet's follow-up, The Spanish Prisoner, was so weak relative to it's 10-year-old predecessor, House of Games.

It may take you as long as 15 minutes to become entranced in Mamet's world, but once you do, you won't move again...

Pros: involved plot, lots of details
Cons: strange acting and casting

This epinion reveals EVERYTHING about this movie, so if you'd rather not know, please read the other great epinions on it. NOTHING is what is seems in this movie, including our hero, Dr. Margaret Ford. Let's call her Maggie for short, lol. She's a...

Pros: Keeps you thinking. Suspenseful, yet VERY calm movie
Cons: If you're looking for pyrotechnics, this ain't the film for you.

A unique movie in that it involves con men and a shrink. Can't say much more on the plot, really. What we see doesn't always have the meaning we think.

The acting, particularly by Lindsay Crouse, is appropriately dead pan. It can almost be classified as film noir if you get/appreciate such acting. It's a smart, not-so-predictable movie that requires no action or sex to intrigue.

Very well done.