House of Games

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House of Games

R

1987

1h 41m

Mystery & Thriller

Crime

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

93%

Tomatometer

30 Reviews

79%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

After one of her patients threatens suicide, psychiatrist Margaret Ford (Lindsay Crouse) confronts the source of his anxieties, a downtown bookie named Mike (Joe Mantegna). Once she decides that Mike is not a serious threat, however, she herself becomes interested in his world of high-stakes gambling, and makes use of her skills at reading tells, becoming entrenched in his dealings. Things get dangerous, though, when Mike turns out not to be a bookie at all, but a con man.

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Critics Consensus

Galvanized by David Mamet's punchy dialogue and a winding succession of surprises, House of Games is a terse thriller where confidence is currency.

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Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

01/01/2000

4/4

There is a teasing quality to Mamet's presentations that reminds me of a skilled magician, meticulously laying out his cards while telling us a story.

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Vera Wylde

Council of Geeks

Oct 18

Maybe part of the problem is that (Mamet's) roots are in theater... This is something that could actually make for a decent remake... It begs for a stronger stylistic hand in the presentation, and it just doesn't have that.

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Rene Jordan

El Nuevo Herald (Miami)

06/14/2022

It seems incredible, but every piece falls logically into place. At the end you understand the beginning, and you also understand that this is an almost perfect cinematic scam. [Full review in Spanish]

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

03/21/2022

4/4

House of Games remains a richly conceived character study, a complex cinematic con game, and above all else a grand magic act.

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

04/25/2020

3.5/4

...Mamet has infused House of Games with exactly the sort of irresistibly theatrical atmosphere for which he's known...

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Jeffrey M. Anderson

Combustible Celluloid

05/24/2019

3.5/4

Regardless of whether the film still delivers its intended zing, it's still hugely satisfying to watch all the moving parts click into place.

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karen n

Oct 2

Outstanding story great acting one of our families favorite movies

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Ernie K

Aug 30

Mantegna and Crouse deliver excellent performances, backed by thoroughly believable support actors in this engrossing Mamet written/directed thriller. Grabs you slowly and then you can't help but seat through to its entertaining conclusion.

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David C

Aug 24

If her acting was any more wooden she would be Pinocchio's mother. Whilst the plot was passable, certainly no Sting, the dialogue was so convoluted and "false” as to be cringe worthy.

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Mitch C.

@MovieMitch Aug 24

When I had my own video store back in the late 1980s, this was one of my favorite films to recommend. I don’t remember a single customer ever coming back saying they didn’t love it. Mamet is a writing genius.

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Ed .

Aug 22

Play dangerous games, win dangerous prizes. What a fantastic film! Pros: * riveting plot and dialogue * intense yet controlled acting * moody lighting and direction Cons: * a bunch of them (con artists)

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Alain E

@AlainE Apr 13

From the golden period of Mamet, before he got transformed to a right wing ideologue. Smoke and mirrors on multiple levels which lead to a violent resolution. The story involves a female psychiatrist who enjoys professional success, but has a very limited personal life. She gets suckered in a circle of con men, initially believing that she is in control, until she realizes that she is being conned. Her reaction does not conform to the professional norms of the American Medical Association. The image appears nicely restored. On Prime.

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David Mamet

Director

Lindsay Crouse

Margaret Ford

Joe Mantegna

Mike

Mike Nussbaum

Joey

Lilia Skala

Dr. Littauer

J.T. Walsh

The businessman

House of Games: Official Clip - Margaret Kills Mike

2:05

House of Games: Official Clip - Poker Game Showdown

1:59

House of Games: Official Clip - It Was Fate I Found You

2:07

House of Games: Official Clip - Con at Western Union

1:56

House of Games: Official Clip - The Missing Briefcase

2:04

House of Games: Official Clip - A Born Thief

2:03

House of Games: Official Clip - Mike Teaches About Tells

1:57

House of Games: Official Clip - Margaret Joins the Sting

2:11

House of Games: Official Clip - Margaret Can't Be Conned

2:12

House of Games: Official Clip - The Accidental Shooting

2:08

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Synopsis

After one of her patients threatens suicide, psychiatrist Margaret Ford (Lindsay Crouse) confronts the source of his anxieties, a downtown bookie named Mike (Joe Mantegna). Once she decides that Mike is not a serious threat, however, she herself becomes interested in his world of high-stakes gambling, and makes use of her skills at reading tells, becoming entrenched in his dealings. Things get dangerous, though, when Mike turns out not to be a bookie at all, but a con man.

Director: David Mamet
Producer: Michael Hausman
Screenwriter: Jonathan Katz
Distributor: Orion Pictures, Image Entertainment Inc., MGM/UA Home Entertainment Inc.
Production Co: Filmhaus
Rating: R
Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Crime, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 11, 1987, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 16, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA): $416.5K
Runtime: 1h 41m

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