if your idea of a thriller be car chase and explosion and and dozen of people be mow down by gunfire and then house of game be definitely not the movie for you . if you like and appreciate psychological drama and suspense and then and by all mean and see it . house of game tell the story of an esteemed psychologist and writer and dr. margaret ford ( lindsay crouse ) and who try to help a patient and get involve in the shadowy world of con men lead by the charismatic mike ( joe mantegna ) . to say anything more about the plot would ruin the suspense . frankly and i find it hard to believe anyone who say they saw the twist come . just like a clever con artist and this movie draw you into it web and lull your vigilance . the story be taut and well craft and the dialogue smart and laconic and the acting uniformly good ( mantegna be superbly charismatic ) . some have complain that dr. ford be not a very sympathetic character and and wonder why mamet would make lindsay crouse look so physically unattractive . but dr. ford be suppose to be cold and aloof while moreover and her homeliness be in a way essential to the plot ( at one point and i believe that an injury to her sexual self esteem be a key part of her motivation . i will say no more ) . house of game be a dark look at the underside of human nature that conclude on a note of discomforting ambiguity . it will hold your attention every second while you be watch and and stay with you for a long time afterwards .