Games (film)

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Games
Directed by	Curtis Harrington
Produced by	George Edwards
Written by	Gene R. Kearney
Starring	James Caan Katharine Ross Simone Signoret Don Stroud
Cinematography	William A. Fraker
Editing by	Douglas Stewart
Distributed by	Universal Studios
Release date(s)	1967
Running time	100 min.
Country	United States
Language	English
Allmovie profile
IMDb profile

Games is a 1967 psychological thriller, directed by Curtis Harrington and starring James Caan, Katharine Ross, and Simone Signoret.

[edit] Plot summary

Paul (James Caan) and Jennifer (Katharine Ross) are a pair of wealthy but blasé socialites with an attitude sometimes acompanying the overpriviledged; a propensity to amuse themselves in an bizarre, chic, and upscale fashion, in this case playing socialite games for their peers, and occasionally revealing what appers to be a playfully sadistic streak. Lisa (Simone Signoret), an older woman from France, arrives at their door one day selling cosmetics; the couple invite her in, and when the conversation reveals that Lisa is believed to have psychic abilities, Paul and Jennifer ask her to arrange some "games" for their amusement. Lisa proceeds to set up several situations of simulated domestic discord that the couple can react to. The plot turns deadly when an acquaintace is accidentally killed during a so-called "game." Paul has to go to enormous lengths to conceal any evidence. He fears being blackmailed by Lisa, whose psychic activities continue and intensify during her stay. Ultimately, at the request of Paul, Lisa leaves, for the welfare of an ever more anxious Jennifer. Toward the fim end we see Jennifer, alone at home, softly falling asleep in the courtyard, a mild breeze blowing leaves and rustling the the window curtains. A calm, yet tense, momentary quiet seems to settle on the film. What follows is worthy of Hitchcock, and the super-twist outcome outdoes itself.