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Jun 21, 2017MICHAEL TAGGART MALONEY rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
I'm a Mamet fan; but to be honest with you, I think this film, his directorial debut, is overrated. I saw it upon its theatrical release back in the 1980s. There was a lot of buzz around it. I was in college at the time. And my reaction to it was that it was sort of static, frigid. I found myself put off by the female lead, the psychoanalyst, played by Lindsay Crouse, and feeling sympathy for the grifter Mike, played by Joe Mantegna. Seeing the Criterion Collection edition the other night, my reaction has flipped. Now, 30 years later, I'm definitely on the lady psychoanalyst's side, and I find con man Mike detestable bordering on unbelievable. One interesting thing I picked up this go-round: the movie is shot in Seattle. Since Mamet has such a reputation for being a Chicagoan I assumed HOUSE OF GAMES was filmed there. Seattle isn't noticeable -- the shots are mostly medium to close -- but I believe the Pacific Medical Building makes an appearance as well as some of the waterfront.