` the united state of kiss my asshouse of game be the directional debut from playwright david mamet and it be an effective and at time surprising psychological thriller . it star lindsay crouse a best sell psychiatrist and margaret ford and who decide to confront the gambler who have drive one of her patient to contemplate suicide . in do so she leave the safety and comfort of her somewhat ordinary life behind and travel ` downtown to visit the lowlife place and house of game . the gambler mike ( play excellently by joe mantegna ) turn out to be somewhat sharp and shifty . he offer crouse character a deal and if she be willing to sit with him at a game and a big money game in the backroom and he will cancel the patient debt . the card game ensues and soon the psychiatrist and the gambler be see to be in a familiar line of work ( gain the trust of others ) and a fascinating relationship begin . what make house of game interest and an essential view for any film fan be the constant guessing of who be in control and be it the psychiatrist or the con man or be it the well know man of great bluff david mamet . in house of game the direction be dull and most of the time flat and uninspiring and however in every david mamet film it be the story which be central to the whole proceeding and not the direction . in house of game this shine through in part thanks to the superb performance from the two lead ( showy and distract ) but mainly a be the case with much of mamet work and it be the dialogue and which grip you and slowly draw you into the film . no one in the house of game say what they mean and conversation become battleground and war of word . everyone bluff and double bluff and which be reminiscent of a poker game natural order . this be a running theme throughout the film and be use to great effect at the right moment to create vast amount of tension . house of game can also be view a a ` class war division movie . with lindsay crouse we have the middle class and well to do educate psychiatrist and joe mantegna be the complete opposite and the working class of america earn a living by ` honest crime . the film seduce the viewer much like crouse be seduce by mantegna and the end result be ultimately a very satisfying piece of american cinema . and the final of the film be definitely something for all to see and watch out for and it stun . an extremely enjoyable film experience that be worth repeat viewing . positive .