IMDb > Reindeer Games (2000)
Reindeer Games
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

Reindeer Games (2000) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 74 | slideshow) Videos
Reindeer Games (2000) -- CineMagia.ro - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
5.4/10   15,857 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 2% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writer (WGA):
Ehren Kruger (written by)
Contact:
View company contact information for Reindeer Games on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
25 February 2000 (USA) more
Genre:
Tagline:
The trap is set. The game is on.
Plot:
After assuming his dead cellmate's identity to get with his girlfriend, an ex-con finds himself the reluctant participant in a casino heist. full summary | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
3 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(24 articles)
Kruger Claws at Transformers 3
 (From Atomic Popcorn. 6 October 2009, 3:57 PM, PDT)

Michael Bay Confirms Transformers 3 for July 1, 2011
 (From FilmJunk. 1 October 2009, 2:57 PM, PDT)

User Comments:
Are you game? more (187 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Ben Affleck ... Rudy Duncan

James Frain ... Nick
Dana Stubblefield ... The Alamo

Mark Acheson ... Mean Guard
Tom Heaton ... Ugly Staffer

Isaac Hayes ... Zook
Michael Sunczyk ... Distant Inmate #1
Douglas Arthurs ... Distant Inmate #2 (as Douglas H. Arthurs)

Dean Wray ... Guard #1
Ron Sauvé ... Guard #2 (as Ron Sauve)

Ron Jeremy ... Prisoner #1 (as Ron Hyatt)

Hrothgar Mathews ... Exit Guard

Charlize Theron ... Ashley
Clarence Williams III ... Merlin

Donal Logue ... Pug
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
Deception (UK) (USA) (working title)
more
MPAA:
Rated R for strong violence, language and sexuality.
Runtime:
104 min | 124 min (director's cut)
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
In October, 2007, Charlize Theron said in an interview in Esquire magazine that "Reindeer Games" was her least favorite of all her films. She said: "That was a bad, bad, bad movie. But I got to work with John Frankenheimer. I wasn't lying to myself - that's why I did it." more
Goofs:
Audio/visual unsynchronized: During the reconnaissance of the Tomahawk, the college kid says, "He gave me a hundred bucks!" and his mouth doesn't move at all. more
Quotes:
Gabriel Mercer: Ever since you started going to night school you've been giving me headaches. more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in Role Models (2008) more
Soundtrack:
At Last more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
18 out of 23 people found the following comment useful.
Are you game?, 19 January 2000
Author: Kindo from Anywhere, USA



After being imprisoned for six years on a grand theft auto charge, Rudy Duncan(Ben Affleck) and his cellmate Nick (HILARY AND JACKIE's James Frain) are finally going to be paroled. After hearing endless stories during his incarceration of Nick's romantic correspondence to a woman named Ashley he has never met (CIDER HOUSE RULES's Charlize Theron), Rudy is looking forward to returning to his family and having a fresh cup of hot chocolate. When Nick is killed during a prison riot, Rudy decides to assume Nick's identity upon release from prison and meet up with the unknown woman. Burdened with a base knowledge of Nick's Indian casino employment past, Rudy finds himself in too deep with Ashley's brother Gabriel (Gary Sinise) and is violently forced to cooperate with a casino robbery that Gabriel and his gang have been planning with Nick in mind.

From an original screenplay by Ehren Kruger, REINDEER is very much in the same vein as his last script ARLINGTON ROAD. While much more of an action film than the paranoia drenched ROAD, REINDEER holds it's deceptions very close to it's heart as well. Who can you trust, and for how long? Helmed by esteemed director John Frankenheimer (THE MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE, RONIN), REINDEER seems keenly aware of it's inane story, yet he keeps pushing the proceedings along briskly, trying to keep this casino heist plot afloat with good actors and a passable script. It's fun just to watch this tale unfold. All the professionals involved know this material isn't CITIZEN KANE, but as action films go nowadays, REINDEER's restraint is it's most endearing aspect. No pop culture references, not too many exploding fireballs, and Frankenheimer keeps the edit count down. REINDEER GAMES is a far more classy film than it's brethren.

It takes some time to get used to Ben Affleck as a tough ex-con. His baby face and peanut brittle voice do little to sell him as an action hero. As REINDEER trudges along, you get used to watching him act tough. It isn't the best performance that's come out of him (I'll save that honor for DOGMA), but Affleck is a likable enough guy and makes Rudy a character you want to see save the day. Imagine an aging lead vocalist for a Black Sabbath cover band and you'll have an idea what Gary Sinse looks like in REINDEER. He always makes a great passionate villain, but this time he takes his appearance one step further and actually looks like a threat. Charlize Theron keeps improving as an actress, but it is her new brunette look and honey smile that one takes away from her performance. She looks lovely in the snow, but not too much presence beyond that. The whole cast is somewhat stuck with Kruger's elementary script, and they all try hard to overcome it. It ends up being their individual charms that make REINDEER come out a winner.

I liked REINDEER GAMES for the throwaway Christmas thriller that it is. Taking advantage of the topical Native American casino boom and deliberately waltzing away from many clichés, GAMES is a pleasure to enjoy. We need more of these. ----- 8

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (187 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Reindeer Games (2000)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Reindeer Games Romm48
Favorite Quotes Andyp007
Rookie mistakes? (SPOILERS) drenton
Where did this take place? yooper1019
How did Rudy know about the Pow Wow Safe? Nitestar Productions
Favorite Charlize Scene In REINDEER GAMES abrooks-4
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
The Salton Sea Kiss Kiss Bang Bang The Fugitive Zenka onna: koroshi-bushi Zeroka no onna: Akai wappa
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Action section IMDb USA section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.