Main Cast: Simone Signoret, James Caan, Katharine Ross, Don Stroud, Ken Smith
Release Year: 1967
Country: US
Run Time: 100 minutes
Plot
In this psychological thriller, Paul (James Caan) and Jennifer (Katherine Ross) are a pair of wealthy but blasé socialites with a sadistic streak. Lisa (Simone Signoret), an older woman from France, arrives at their door one day selling cosmetics; the couple invite her in, and when the conversation reveals that Lisa is believed to have psychic abilities, Paul and Jennifer ask her to arrange some "games" for their amusement. Lisa proceeds to set up several situations of simulated domestic discord that the couple can react to. The arrival of Norman (Don Stroud), a delivery boy, is Jennifer's cue to seduce him, just in time for Paul to arrive and shoot him in a fit of jealousy. Norman is then coated with plaster and placed in the corner, disguised as a work of art; however, Paul soon leaves on a business trip, and Jennifer discovers that Norman isn't dead after all. She panics and shoots Norman dead, only to discover that the previous murder was merely a "game" staged by Lisa. Jennifer, however, is having a very real nervous breakdown, which seems to be what Paul had in mind all along. But once Jennifer is committed to a mental hospital, Paul discovers that Lisa is not necessarily his ally in this increasingly dangerous game. Games was directed by Curtis Harrington, a one-time experimental filmmaker who previously helmed such horror cult movies as Queen of Blood and Night Tide. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
Review
Games would be a spine-tingling delight if it were only half its length. Not that 100 minutes is too long for the average movie by any means, only that it's too long for the story that Games has to tell. At its present length, there's simply too much padding here, and even though director Curtis Harrington does his best to make that padding interesting, there's only so much he can do to disguise the basic thinness of the material. The problem is exacerbated by the fact that Games is the kind of thriller the success of which absolutely depends upon the script being at least one step ahead of the audience at all times. If the viewer figures out what's going on too early -- as many watching Games will -- the rest of the film becomes a bit dull. Even with these shortcomings, Games is still largely enjoyable, thanks primarily to Harrington's skillfully manipulative direction and Simone Signoret's engaging "am I campy or creepy?" performance. True, James Caan is more than a bit forced and Katharine Ross brings nothing new to her role, but these are the kind of parts in which the acting is almost incidental, as long as they don't do anything to derail the proceedings. Watch Games for Signoret, and for the fun Harrington has taking the viewer in with hoary old devices that he somehow makes work. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide
Alexander Golitzen - Art Director, William D. de Cinces - Art Director, Curtis Harrington - Director, Douglas Stewart - Editor, Samuel Matlovsky - Composer (Music Score), Joseph E. Gershenson - Musical Direction/Supervision, Bud Westmore - Makeup, William A. Fraker - Cinematographer, George Edwards - Producer, John McCarthy - Set Designer, George Edwards - Screenwriter, Curtis Harrington - Screenwriter, Gene Kearney - Screenwriter
Paul (James Caan) and Jennifer (Katharine Ross) are a pair of wealthy but blasé Upper East Side New York socialites with an attitude sometimes acompanying the overpriviledged; a propensity to amuse themselves in a bizarre, chic, and upscale fashion, in this case playing socialite games for their peers, and occasionally revealing what appers to be a playfully sadistic streak. Lisa (Simone Signoret), an older woman from France, arrives at their door one day selling cosmetics; the couple invite her in, and when the conversation reveals that Lisa is believed to have psychic abilities, Paul and Jennifer ask her to arrange some "games" for their amusement. Lisa proceeds to set up several situations of simulated domestic discord that the couple can react to. The plot turns deadly when an acquaintace is accidentally killed during a so-called "game." Paul has to go to enormous lengths to conceal any evidence. He fears being blackmailed by Lisa, whose psychic activities continue and intensify during her stay. Ultimately, at the request of Paul, Lisa leaves, for the welfare of an ever more anxious Jennifer. Toward the fim end we see Jennifer, alone at home, softly falling asleep in the courtyard, a mild breeze blowing leaves and rustling the window curtains. A calm, yet tense, momentary quiet seems to settle on the film. What follows is worthy of Hitchcock, and the super-twist ending outdoes itself.
