This delightful film is based on a play by Anthony Shaffer. What is interesting about it is that there are only two characters there though one might get impression that there are more. Two bright stars play in it: Laurence Olivier and Michael Caine.
Let's talk a little bit about the plot though not much because I don't want to give away an intrigue. A wealthy aristocrat Andrew Wyke (Olivier) is a famous detective writer (in the sense that hi writes about detectives). And he adores games. All kinds of games: beginning with mechanical and electric toys: his house is fill of mechanical dolls to serious games with people whom he manipulates partly revealing them their purpose of a game. One of his games he plays with Milo Tindle (Caine). He suggests that they should play a game of robbery but gradually the game develops much more complicated and unpredictable turns. It keeps you strained till the very final and the end is twisted like the whole game. Yet, the turn of events stay logical and all the moves are motivated.
The actors are perfect. Michael Caine is superb, the way he acts, talks and looks… his face expressions during episodes of different emotional colours are inimitable. Olivier is more even but when a situation calls for an emotional outburst he is quite persuasive. Their match is peerless, perfect in every way. Besides engrossing story the film is excellent in portraying psychology of two men, their characters and behaviour and we understand their motives and way of thinking. Even their manner of speech matters.
In addition to excellent acting and interesting story the film can boast fine operating work, in spite of the fact that the whole performance takes place in the house of Wyke and its premises. At the beginning we see the famous labyrinthine garden that already reveals quite a lot about its owner. Then all the mechanical toys that enchants the guest and become part of the plot. What is more to it is that everything is gradually developing but not in the way that it becomes predictable (though of course in certain ways it is unavoidable, it is difficult to invent something totally unpredictable nowadays for the reason that there is only a limited number of possibilities). Yet everything fits smoothly into the story, it is difficult to find any flaw.
In short it is an excellent film with interesting story and wonderful acting and actors. Do not miss an opportunity to watch it.
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