House of Games

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House of Games ★★★ 1987 (R)

The directorial debut of playwright Mamet is a tale about an uptight female psychiatrist who investigates the secret underworld of conartistry and becomes increasingly involved in an elaborate con game. She's led along her crooked path by smooth-talking conmaster Mantegna. A taut, well plotted psychological suspense film with many twists and turns. Stylishly shot, with dialogue which has that marked Mamet cadence. Most of the leads are from Mamet's theatre throng (including his wife, Crouse). 102m/C VHS, DVD . Joe Mantegna, Lindsay Crouse, Lilia Skala, J.T. Walsh, Meshach Taylor, Ricky Jay, Mike Nussbaum, Willo Hausman; D: David Mamet; W: David Mamet; C: Juan Ruiz-Anchia; M: Alaric Jans.