House of Games

The most dangerous blind spot is the one your expertise builds for you. In "House of Games," David Mamet's 1987 directorial debut in the David Mamet Directs series on The Next Reel, Lindsay Crouse stars as Dr. Margaret Ford, a psychiatrist and bestselling author who becomes entangled with a professional con man named Mike, played by Joe Mantegna, after she tries to settle a gambling debt on behalf of one of her patients.

Pete and Andy dig into why Mamet's dialogue—built for stage interruption—comes off stilted on screen here, and whether the film's final act earns its setup. They land in genuinely different places on both counts, and that disagreement is where the most interesting listening happens. We have a great time talking about it, so check it out then tune in—The Next Reel on TruStory FM, when the movie ends, our conversation begins!

🎥 See Our Full Conversation on YouTube 

🎬 Watch & Discover Watch the Film: Apple TV | Amazon | Letterboxd | Trailer

Keep Going from Here:
David Mamet Directs series—all three films, all in one place.
David Mamet Writes series—his scripts directed by others, where the dialogue tends to breathe differently.
The Sting — Richard D. Zanuck series—another great con film conversation to keep going with. 

🔒 This episode includes member-only bonus content. The movie ends. The conversation goes further—and there's more of it in the member feed. Become a member. 
🎧 Members get this episode early and ad-free in their private feed—plus every show in The Next Reel family.

The Next Reel Family of Film Shows:

• Cinema Scope: Bridging Genres, Subgenres, and Movements | The Film Board | Movies We Like | The Next Reel | Sitting in the Dark

Connect With Us:

• Web | Letterboxd | Flickchart | Instagram | Bluesky | YouTube | Discord
• Your Hosts: Andy | Pete
• Merch Store | Audible