GAMES

US, 1967, 100 minutes, Colour.
Simone Signoret, James Caan, Katharine Ross, Don Stroud, Kent Smith.
Directed by Curtis Harrington.

Games is a psychological thriller made by Curtis Harrington who has specialised in the genre. Recent films include What's The Matter With Helen? and Ruby. This is the old material of Gaslight and other thrillers where menacing husbands try to make their wives mad. However the screenplay takes a 'mystery' tone towards its material. The audience is not sure. Attractively and colourfully photographed in exotic New York settings, the film boasts a good cast, especially Simone Signoret. James Caan was at the beginning of his career as was Katharine Ross.

1. The meaning of the title, the visual presentation of games, the purpose of the games? The purpose of the film and its irony?

2. The director has a reputation for classic horror films. Was this evident in the treatment of this theme?

3. The importance of New York, Panavision and colour, the games, the ordinariness of the way of life, the combination producing fear, hatred, murder and madness?

4. How attractive were the couple? The initial presentation in games at the party, their style of life, their wealth, people talking about the relationship between the two, Paul and his use of Jennifer's money? The seemingly happy relationship between the two, their love? Did audiences suspect what was to happen?

5. How likeable a character was Paul? The average American type, the devoted husband? His reaction to Lisa and his hostility? His hostility to Norman9 His reaction to the game in the bedroom, the game of shooting Norman? The impact of the death, his reaction to Jennifer, the help in the cover-up?

6. Comment on the details of the cover-up and the atmosphere of suspense, the use of the lift, sounds, the phone? How horrible was the revelation of the truth? His return when Jennifer had shot Norman, his hard and callous attitude towards her, calling the police? The heartlessness of his selling and gaining the money? Was he a credible villain?

7. How attractive and sympathetic a character was Jennifer? The average wealthy American woman? Her love for Paul, participation in the games, her sympathy for Lisa and inviting her into the house, the transition to fear of Norman, her dreams? The ultimate madness in shooting? Being victimized by Paul? Her inability to turn to anyone? The final pathos of her being taken away? Was her experience credible?

8. Norman and the average young self-opinionated American? His work, his role in the murder and madness? His eager participation in the games? His greed? His terrorizing Jennifer and meriting his death? The callousness of what seemed to be his statue in which he was preserved?

9. How mysterious was Lisa? The film's final focus on her as central? Her story about the cosmetics, fainting, her old clothes? Was it credible that Jennifer should take her in? Paul's hostility? Jennifer's growing dependence on her? Playing the games? Lisa's balance between participation in the games, and normality? How frightening was the revelation that she was the mastermind at the end? A personification of evil?

10. How credible was her murdering of Paul? His foolishness in not suspecting it? The effect on her? Her going off to start again?

11. The contribution of the lawyer, the art people, the neighbour and losing her cat?

12. A successful thriller? Themes of greed and murder, love-hate, power.