Trailer—Games

It's obvious that the screenwriters had "Les Diaboliques"(1955) in mind when they wrote this story.Simone Signoret's presence,in a part very similar to the one she played in Clouzot's film noir extraordinaire ,can't even shine for ,halfway through, you could see what she was up to from a mile off.The first scenes are pedestrian and filler and the story doesn't take off before Signoret's entrance.And even when she 's in,even with talented actors such as James Caan -who was really scary in "Lady in a cage" playing opposite Olivia De Havilland- or Katherine Ross,the suspense is totally absent.Maybe someone who does not know "Les Diaboliques" can be interested .

This little known mystery is brilliant. Extremely well-directed and written by Curtis Harrington in a very stylish manner. It keeps you guessing right up until the end, when it hits you with the biggest surprise of all. The acting is top notch by all although it is really amazing when you realize at the end that this suspenseful film held your interest throughout when there are really only three main characters. But, they carried it off - wonderfully, although the biggest kudos go to Simone Signoret. Her performance is outstanding - really award winning, but apparently no one paid much attention to this jewel of a movie. You will, though. It's unforgettable.

i've been looking for this movie for years, it's impossible to find. i believe it was removed from public viewing because it's too scary to watch. i don't mean scary in the sense that there are ghosts in the closet, i mean scary in the sense that it portrays real life evil and possible scenarios that you could be in. yeah, you. if you do manage to find it, i defy anyone to watch it alone at midnight in a dark home, it can't be done. i tried it and blacked out from fear about half way through. you'll have to turn it off or you'll be checking the door locks and calling your friends. simone is the most under rated actress in history and you'll be cursing james caan and katherine ross for letting her in the door in the first place. find it and watch it but remember, don't you dare do it alone.

A mindgames playing couple played by James Caan and Katharine Ross invites an intriguing older lady into their lives. Simone Signoret plays an aging cosmetics saleswoman invited to spice up their lives. The couple thought they were experienced, but could they be outplayed by her? The performances by all three are good. The tension is predicated on the likability of the couple Caan and Ross. That's questionable. They are written with too much callousness. They don't play nice normal people and I don't really care what happens to them. But it's a good exercise of whodunnit for the mind. At its core, it mattered very little the outcome. It makes the movie less than what it could have been.

Simone Signoret does a great job. that is the first verdict and for a fan of French cinema , it is not a surprise. the film has a rare virtue for horrors - it is fascinating. more than scary or spectacular. using not an original idea, it is example of beautiful precision for each detail. and the play with old themes has the entire story great. a film about a visit and an eccentric family. about fears and trust and games. nothing special. but the balance between pieces, the acting, the music, the use of ambiguity as basic tool are pillars for an American movie who respects traditional European recipes. a film who could be interesting for many viewers. because not the story itself is the axis but the art of each actor. and, sure, the nuances who builds the role of Simone Signoret.

This movie about a young couple who engage in psychological games with a door-to-door saleslady who collapses in their home and becomes their houseguest is intriguing and almost fascinating to watch. Simone Signoret is wonderful as the saleslady, Lisa Schindler. After the film is over, you want to go back and watch her performance all over again. It's one of those types of stories. The sixties era in which the movie was filmed is captivating, too. Definitely for those who enjoyed such movies as "Night Watch" with Elizabeth Taylor, "The Usual Suspects", and "Diabolique", which also starred Simone Signoret. A very good thriller, with interesting twists, a cool sixties atmosphere, and Simone Signoret stealing every scene she is in from James Caan and Katharine Ross, who, at times, looks in awe of her co-star.

When I was a kid living in southeast Missouri in the early '80s, this movie was frequently shown on television; there was a cable station out of St. Louis, I believe, that would show this. It would be shown as an afternoon movie from around 2-4 p.m., maybe, and then AGAIN in the evening, from 8-10. Captivated me the first couple of times I saw it, with its slick, stylish production values and quiet, slowly-escalating suspense, but I have to admit I got a little tired of seeing it. So I don't know what all this talk about it not being on TV is about. Well worth seeing if you never have, though, or if it's been awhile. All the performances are top notch, the story keeps you hooked and guessing--at least if you haven't seen a lot of these kinds of movies, I guess; to be honest, I think even as a kid I had a vague idea of how it would turn out. But getting there is fun.

I agree with others that this is a hard one to find, luckily I recorded it once years ago, but every now and then I dig it out and watch it. It's just a fun movie to watch with a great performance by Simone S. who dominates every scene she is in. This movie has atmosphere and an air of intimacy about it. The story may not be totally original but the originality of the characters overcomes any shortness of the script. Kooky Estelle Winwood is great as the "cat lady" who lives next door, who's always concerned about her savings coupons. The "Mod" decor of the 60's only enhances the funkiness to this movie. Scan the movie section and if you see it's going to be on by all means tune in and get turned on!

A clever, well-acted thriller with enough plot twists to leave you reeling, and an ending you will not believe. From a dull beginning to an exhaustingly clever ending, it will hold you spellbound, confused, engrossed and tense. Should be re-released, but not re-made.