Reindeer Games (AKA Deception)

Dir: John Frankenheimer

2000

**

A laughable action film that was actually quite entertaining in its ridiculousness. It's also rather sad, as this was the last feature film from the legendary director John Frankenheimer. Indeed, Charlize Theron once said in an interview that it is the worst film she's ever been in, she just wanted to work with the great man. A sad swan song indeed. Apart from Die Hard (everyone's favourite alternative Christmas film) there aren't many action films to associate with the festive season. However, as mindless and predictable as Reindeer Games is, I think the real reason it failed was because it's release date was put back from Dec 1999 to February 2000. No one wants to watch anything even vaguely Christmassy in February. It's fairly moronic, tune in, turn off as they say but it does have its moments of fun. Its real problem, apart from the dodgy acting, is the fact that you can see the 'plot-twist' coming from a mile away. Good cast, poor performances. 1998's Ronin should be regarded as Frankenheimer's final film and we should all try and forget that this film ever happened. I'm sure Charlize Theron and Ben Affleck have.