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 wasting anytime on. The only thing worth noting about it, is the observation I made. No matter how many A list movie star's you have in a film, comedy man Hank Azaria always manages to steal the show. That's all I have to say on the film. So I'm not writing a review on that one. I rented Double Take last night, hoping I could get some quality entertainment, and perhaps some review material. Wasn't to be. The movie is so God awful, if I was to write a review on it, I might suffer from a stroke. What's a man to do? Then it hit me, like Sean Penn in a drunken stupor, House Of Games!

House Of Games is one the smartest films i've seen, a wonderful film; a film that also happens to be plagued with one of the ugliest actresses ever to be in a film, (Lindsay Crouse). She's not just a sore on the eyes, but the woman isn't even that great of an actress! The only reason she got the part was because she was married to the film's writer/director, (David Mamet).

That being mentioned, every thing else about the film is wonderful. Crouse plays the world famous Dr. Margaret Ford. A well known psychiatrist and well known author, who one day by chance, or is it, meets Mike (Joe Mantegna). He's a con artist. There's so much to say about the film, regarding the plot, but that would give stuff away. Which might ruin the film for someone who hasn't seen it. However, House Of Games is a movie to be talked about, and discussed, by people who have seen the film. So i'm going to go on, but I don't want to spoil anything for you. If you haven't seen the film, and plan on seeing it, maybe you should stop reading. This is a game you can only talk about, if you've played. If you don't want to read any more, just be a sport and VH the review.

Dr. Ford is intrigued by Mike. As he puts it, "Is that what brought you here. You want to see how a true bad man operates his trade?" She likes being around a dangerous man, doing dangerous things. Perhaps it's because she leads such a boring life; or it could be, and this is what I think it, she's in fact, a bad person.

Mike think's what the hell, he'll show her the ropes. She want's to know what he does for a living, he'll show her. Is it because he likes her, is he sexually attracted to her? I don't see how any man in his right mind could be, so I knew right from the get go he was using her.

He does end up doing quite the con on her. I won't talk about what the con is, because i'm not a total prick. The con isn't even what makes the film for me, it's the ending. I think the last five minutes are what make this film so damn amazing.

Mike get's quite a lot of money from her. Also ends up porking her. But who cares? She was stupid enough to fall for it, and she stuck her fat nose where it didn't belong in the first place. She was asking for it. Begging for it. She wanted it. Mike knew this, I know this. So if she want's to be a sucker, Mike gladly let's her suck.

What did she think Mike was anyway? Some nice guy, who does a con on everyone in the world, but then one day thought, "hey, i'll be nice to an ugly chick." Yeah right. She should have known better. He's a working man, and he was doing what he did best, finding the biggest sucker.

So he get's her money, can't say that I blame him. He get's made though. Not because she's intelligent or anything, but because one of his buddies screwed up; and was followed.

So she meets up with him at the airport, before he takes off and she confronts him. What's next is amazing. He admits to taking her money, and admits that it was there for the taking. This is true. She did come to him after all. And then the oddest thing happens, she kills him in cold blood. As she shoots him, he finally realizes what she is. A cold blooded bit*h.

She wanted to kill him. She wanted to kill anyone. I think that's all she every really wanted. She was on the prowl the entire film, and then she meet Mike. While he saw her as a victim for a con, she saw him as being her first kill. I know i'm going way out in left field on this one, but just think about it. She has the right, and should be mad about him taking her money, but why doesn't she just shoot him once, let him live, and take the money back? Would a normal person say, "beg for your life!" All Mike ever did was cheat her. He never hurt anyone, as he tells her. This is what you always wanted you crooked bit*h! You thief! You always need to get caught. Cause you know you're bad. I never hurt anybody, I never shot anybody. You sought this out, this is what you always wanted. I knew it the first time you came in. You're worthless, you know it. You're a wh*re. You came back like a dog to it's own vomit. You sick bit*h, I'm not going to give you sh!t!"

Now Mike's words are insensitive, but he's just being honest. He knows she'll kill him, and he wants to get his last words in. Did she ever really love him? I don't think so. She spends her whole day with deranged nut balls. I think she became one, and was just looking for the opportunity to enrich her life by doing someone in. The fact is, she didn't need to kill Mike. She could have gotten her money back. She wanted to kill him, and kill him did she ever.

What strikes me brilliant, is how we root for the bad guy in this movie. She is bad, there's no doubt about it. I'm not saying Mike is a good guy by any means, but when compared to her, hell yes he is! She killed him in cold blood, did he really have it coming that bad? I don't think so. That's what I love about this film. How Mamet pulled the blanket over everyone's eyes, and played his own game on the audience. He convinced us that a killing, a rather viscous one at that, was ok.

Most people will be satisfied by the ending. Because they think justice was served. I'm satisfied, but for all the wrong reasons. I feel it's one of the most disturbing endings of all time. The mean ol' ugly babe got away with murder, and everyone is happy as pigs in poop about it. You got to love that.








Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: VHS
Video Occasion: Better than Watching TV