"The Game" (1997)

From a certain point onward there is no longer any turning back. That is the point that must be reached (Franz Kafka)

David Fincher was one of the music video directors (who made one of the best Madonna’s clips – Vogue) who made a successful transition to filmmaking. His first film experience was not too rewarding (Alien 3, but it was not entirely his fault), but «Seven» was very good. After «Seven», he made «The Game», which fully showed his talents.

Day after day, the stereotypical «fat cat» Nicholas Van Orton is losing any interest in life. He is reaching the 48^th anniversary – an age in which his father committed suicide. On this anniversary, he receives a visit from his estranged brother Conrad, who gives a gift – an invitation to take part «in the life changing game experience». After agreeing to take in the Game, life of Nicholas is starting to take more and more sinister turn…

After rewatching «The Game» (I haven’t seen this film for ten years), I understood that I have to reread «The Trial» by Franz Kafka. By rereading this book, I was able to cast a different view on the film and make a necessary comparison, and mixing with my legal education.

The main part of any criminal proceedings is the documents. Any official action (arrest, charging, choosing a punishment, conviction) is made the basis of an official document (first of all, a court order). Also a suspect or accused is entitled to presumption of innocence and right to prove his innocence (by himself or with an attorney).

Compared to criminal procedure, the Game of Nicholas Van Orton, as the Trial of Joseph K., is a wholly different experience. There is also a major difference – Nicholas Van Orton volunteered for the Game and the Trial was started by some completely unknown force. So, another force steps out.

While watching the film, you recall the lyrics of White Rabbit by Jefferson Airplane («And if you go chasing rabbits, and you know you're going to fall»). In some aspects, the Game is a variation of the Wonderland, in which the most hidden fears are brought out. And as Alice, Nicholas Van Orton have volunteered for this.

Authoritative, self-reliant and ruthless hero became a completely impotent person. In the world of the Game nothing is under his control and every minute brings out another loss. As in Joseph K. Trial, every acquaintance of Nicholas takes part in the Game, including his ex-wife and brother. Every one of them is going to pay back for the years of neglect or cruelty.

Nevertheless, the most horrifying part of the Game is the disclosure. Nicholas becomes a marked man, whose problems are known to any bystander. He doesn’t have an uncle Albert, who will take him to a lawyer, and the «courtroom» is abandoned. Imposed advisors, as in the Trial, are revealed as agents of the «Court – CRS». And one day, someone will tell him a parable «Before the Law».

Despite all of that, it is just a game, isn’t it? To find out an answer, you have to finish the film, because you would find out until the last seconds. David Fincher could have stopped after 1997, because he had already written himself into the cinema history, but he continued to make good films.