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House of Games
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House of Games (1987) More at IMDbPro »

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House of Games (1987) -- A psychiatrist comes to the aid of a compulsive gambler and is led my a smooth-talking grifter into the shadowy but compelling world of stings, scams, and con men.

Overview

User Rating:
7.4/10   7,007 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 2% in popularity this week. See rank & trends on IMDbPro.
Director:
David Mamet
Writers:
Jonathan Katz (story) &
David Mamet (story) ...
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Contact:
View company contact information for House of Games on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
11 October 1987 (USA) more
Genre:
Crime | Mystery | Thriller more
Tagline:
Nothing is as it seems. more
Plot:
A psychiatrist comes to the aid of a compulsive gambler and is led my a smooth-talking grifter into the shadowy but compelling world of stings, scams, and con men. full summary | add synopsis
Awards:
Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 4 wins & 1 nomination more
NewsDesk:
Redbelt
 (From The AV Club. 1 May 2008, 1:00 PM, PDT)

User Comments:
A sleek and deceptive thrill ride more

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
Lindsay Crouse ... Margaret Ford

Joe Mantegna ... Mike
Mike Nussbaum ... Joey

Lilia Skala ... Dr. Maria Littauer

J.T. Walsh ... The businessman

Willo Hausman ... Girl with book
Karen Kohlhaas ... Prison ward patient

Steven Goldstein ... Billy Hahn
Jack Wallace ... Bartender, House of Games
Ricky Jay ... George / Vegas Man
G. Roy Levin ... Poker player
Bob Lumbra ... Poker player
Andy Potok ... Poker player
Allen Soule ... Poker player
Ben Blakeman ... Bartender, Charlie's Tavern
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Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Runtime:
102 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
Color
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono
Filming Locations:
Seattle, Washington, USA
Company:
Filmhaus more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
According to Mamet, despite the excellent reviews the film received in a limited showing in four theaters, Orion decided against spending the money for the prints and publicity that would have accompanied a general release and sent the film almost directly to TV and video. more
Goofs:
Continuity: Near the end of the film, at the end of the airport baggage area scene viewing Mike and Margaret from above a ventilation duct, Margaret's travel bag is visible on the far left exactly parallel with the edge of the conveyor belt upon which it's placed. But in the next shot from the same view, the bag is at a 45-degree angle from its original position. more
Quotes:
Mike: I read a book once which said this: If you're fired from your job, when you're going home, take something. A pencil... Something to assert yourself. Take a memento. Take something from life. more
Movie Connections:
References Animal House (1978) more
Soundtrack:
Fugue from the Toccata in C Minor more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
6 out of 11 people found the following comment useful:-
A sleek and deceptive thrill ride, 10 February 2005
8/10
Author: The_Void from Beverley Hills, England

I'm a big fan of films where people get conned, and House of Games is almost the pinnacle of the 'films where people get conned' genre. In short, it's an exceptional thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat by providing interesting characters with many levels, and never truly revealing what's happening, while throwing in many twists and surprises to upset completely what you've just seen. The film cons the audience on many occasions, and despite us knowing this; it's still difficult to guess where it's going, and every twist comes off as a surprise. As mentioned, I'm a big fan of cons in movies and the plot of this one follows a female psychiatrist who receives a patient with a huge debt owed to a fellow gambler. She then goes to the gambler in an attempt to help out her patient, and on the way gets drawn into the art of reading people in order to pull off a con.

House of Games breathes a sleazy atmosphere throughout, and David Mamet does well in establishing his film's setting in the underground levels of the city. The film is well acted also, with all concerned bringing life and believability to their characters with the greatest of skill. Joe Mantegna stars as the con man at the heart of the film, and although his performance is a little under wrought, he's always solid and believable as the villain of the piece. Lindsay Crouse stars alongside him as the psychiatrist seduced by his work, and again is believable in her role. She may not be the greatest looker, but at least she can act. The way that the film executes it's plot is the main star of the show, however, and you will no doubt be amazed on multiple occasions as to how the film constantly manages to amaze and deceive the viewer. At times it's almost like we are in the thick of the action and being conned by the con men in the film. Another thing that's great about this film is the way that it shows the audience how to pull off certain cons, which is useful if you're interested in making twenty bucks, say. All in all, House of Games is a truly first rate thrill ride.

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