Ben Affleck and Charlize Theron in "Reindeer Games."

MOVIE INFORMATION

With 10 as a must-see, Jack gives this film a: Stars: Ben Affleck, Charlize Theron and Gary Sinise Director: John Frankenheimer Rated: R, with strong violence, sex, nudity and profanity Length: 104 minutes

ROCHESTERCRITIQUE

Having seen this film, how would you rate it? 10 5 9 4 8 3 7 2 6 1

By Jack Garner
Democrat and Chronicle

(Feb. 25, 2000) -- Reindeer Games won't be on any short list of great Christmas movies -- White Christmas it ain't.

You'll hear We Wish You a Merry Christmas and Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree on the soundtrack, but consider it counterprogramming.

By the end of director John Frankenheimer's thriller, several Santa Clauses lie dead in the snow, and the only thing delivered down the proverbial chimney is a bag full of violence, betrayal and perversion.

Maybe that's why the distributors delayed the film from its original December release date. Or maybe it's because Reindeer Games has problems beyond its twisted holiday cheer.

Foremost among these is a contrived plot that expects you to believe in something far more outrageous than a plump elf who delivers gifts.

Ben Affleck stars as Rudy, a convicted car thief who steps out of prison. He hopes to begin a peaceful, law-abiding life with a beautiful prison pen pal named Ashley (Charlize Theron).

But Ashley's brother, Gabriel, has other ideas. The slimy, sinister guy is played full-throttle by a long-haired, muscle-bound Gary Sinise. He forces Rudy to help him and his gang rob a casino.

I'm not going to tell you any more of the plot's many twists and turns -- first, because the studio has asked critics not to, but second, because you wouldn't believe them if I told you.

As written by Ehren Kruger (of Arlington Road and Scream 3), Reindeer Games is too obviously contrived to pack as many jolts and surprises as possible into a caper film. But as the end approaches, he and director Frankenheimer go at least one or two steps too far, and the suspension of disbelief collapses.

Kruger has written a few clever lines of raunchy humor -- mostly as jabs thrown by adversaries Affleck and Sinise.

Gabriel is an entertaining villain, a screen-grabbing eccentric who's a bit dim. (Sinise is at his most entertaining when his character has to try to think his way through difficulties. It's clearly a challenge.)

Affleck has less impact as the ex-con trying to improvise his way through a sticky situation. It's an adequate performance but lacks conviction. The same can be said for Theron. Both their characters have little chance for depth and development in the fast-paced, multilayered plot.

The film falls far short of Frankenheimer's best work -- the classic Manchurian Candidate and the recent Ronin, for example. Still, Reindeer Games offers the high-speed pace and gritty, grainy style of a master filmmaker, even if the material doesn't warrant the effort.

The veteran director's storytelling experience elevates Reindeer Games beyond its meager foundation, though even he can't sell the outlandish finale.