Reindeer Games

Starring: Ben Affleck, Charlize Theron
Director: John Frankenheimer
Genre: Thriller
Year: 2000
Rating: 3 / 5

Ben Affleck is the next Harrison Ford? Why do I have a difficult time believing this statement, made by an anonymous film critic? Ben Affleck is a tremendously likeable fellow, and he has already been in some movies that I consider to be very entertaining. Does that mean that he will eventually be dubbed "The Sexiest Man Alive?" Not likely, but one never knows. Does that mean he will star in half a dozen of the top grossing movies of all-time? Almost certainly not, but, then again, his career is only beginning. Judging Ben Affleck by such standards is wholly unfair, but Hollywood has never been accused of being fair. I choose to look beyond that, which is why I see Reindeer Games as it is - an enjoyable, if run-of-the-mill, action thriller.

Rudy (Ben Affleck), a noted car thief, and his cellmate Nick (James Frain) are due to be released from prison on the same day. While Rudy, in the slammer for a "hard five," has little to look forward to, Nick eagerly anticipates a meeting with Ashley (Charlize Theron), am attractive pen pal with whom he has fallen in love. Two days before their release, however, The Alamo (Dana Sutbblefield) is released from solitary confinement. The Alamo is driven to punish the man who put him there, a man he believes is dear old Rudy. During a lunchtime brawl, The Alamo makes his move, only, instead of killing Rudy, he stabs Nick.

Grief-stricken, Rudy realizes that only one of the two roommates will be leaving prison. With nothing to live for, Rudy sees before him a golden opportunity. What if he pretends to be Nick? After all, Ashley has never met her convict pen pal, and he could just as easily assume his identity. Sounds like a wonderful plan, except that Ashley is not the only one waiting for Nick's release. Her law-abiding brother Gabriel (Gary Sinise) has big plans for Nick, not the least of which involves the robbery of a casino where Nick used to work. Throw in a few escape sequences and some well-done doublecrosses, and we have ourselves a modern-day Hollywood thriller.

Director John Frankenheimer (Ronin) is remarkably restrained in his use of explosions and other action-film cliches, making the film's conclusion all the more exciting. On the hand, this restraint causes the first half of the movie to plod along at times. Ben Affleck is, as I may have mentioned, rather likeable, and he is even able to pull off the "tough guy" routine... at times. Charlize Theron is, well, Charlize Theron, which means that she offers little besides some rather alluring scenery. Gary Sinise certainly looks sinister, but he and his crew are mostly cardboard, and they are awfully gullible to boot. What this leaves is a respected director with a deft touch and a likeable star not yet adept at action films. This makes Reindeer Games a worthwhile diversion, if not a lasting spectacle.

Cast:

Ben Affleck..........	Rudy
Charlize Theron..........	Ashley
Gary Sinise..........	Gabriel
Dennis Farina..........	James Banks

Certification: Rated R for violence and language.
Running Time: 105 minutes.

Additional Info: Internet Movie Database
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