Reindeer
Games
Directed
by John Frankenheimer
Written
by Ehren Kruger
Starring
Ben Affleck, Charlize Theron, Gary Sinise, and Dennis Farina
105
minutes. Rated R. Original aspect ratio: 2.35:1. 2000.
Y'know, amidst all these weighty best picture nominees I've been drowning
in lately, amidst all the drama and the spectacle and the scandal, it's
nice to know there are still movies out there that just know how to cut
loose and have fun. Reindeer Games is such a film, and if there
was ever a man to deliver it to us, it is definitely John Frankenheimer.
Even after all these years, the force behind The Manchurian Candidate
and other spy / thriller films of the sixties apparently still has a tremendous
amount of energy, and it shows in his work. Reindeer Games pulses
with a one-of-a-kind energy thanks to Mr. Frankenheimer, not to mention
some pretty energetic performances from an awesome cast.
Ben Affleck
shines as Rudy, an ex-con caught in an unfortunate situation. He was posing
as his jailbird friend Nick to get some sack time with Nick's pen pal Ashley
(Charlize Theron), but then Ashley's nasty truck driving bastard of a brother
(Gary Sinise) shows up and ruins everything. Her brother wants Nick (Rudy,
unbeknownst to him) to help him plan a score. Nick could have helped him.
Rudy's clueless.
The cast
is just great. Ben Affleck is as charming and likable as always (which
helps when he's posing as his friend to grab some 
nookie).
Charlize Theron is, as usual, fetching as hell, and she turns in a spirited,
believable performance, also as usual. Anyone who saw Ransom knows
Gary Sinise can do a bad guy and do him well, and Dennis Farina
even shows up in a small but inspired part as the man who runs the casino
that Ashley's brother is planning to knock over.
The script
is a lot of fun, too. Ehren Kruger, the dude behind
Arlington
Road and Scream 3, has written a fast-paced story with 
funny
dialogue and enough plot twists to keep the audience on it's toes. Parts
are predictable, but what do you want from a movie like this? You don't
go in expecting The Sixth Sense or Chinatown. You go in expecting
a fun action flick, and that's just what Kruger and Frankenheimer deliver.
Frankenheimer's direction is superb. I wasn't a big fan of his last film,
Ronin,
but that was mostly because of the nonsensical script. The action in Ronin
was very well-done, and the action in Reindeer Games may not be
as elaborate or as drawn out, but it's just as good. Frankenheimer's direction
packs
quite a punch. The camerawork is bold and daring, and pushes the film right
into your face whether you want it there or not. The action is well-designed
and shot, and the film moves along at a terrific speed. He also knows how
to direct his actors; they play their parts with the same kind of frenzied
energy that Frankenheimer uses with his camera, and the result is a film
that grabs you by the collar and shakes you till you cry "uncle."
If you go in knowing what you're going to get, you won't be disappointed.
This film is fun. And as I've said before, some people actually
go to the movies once in a while for fun. Try it some time; you
might enjoy yourself. This is certainly a great film to start with.
Bottom line: An energetic, fun
film, with some great performances and some kick-ass action.
My grade:
B+
My advice:
Go and join in the Reindeer Games.
Get the movie
poster!
