House of Games

This is not on the list, but it is too fucking good to pass up writing about. Here are my notes verbatim:

-- "Do you think you're exempt from experience?" -- theme at min 3/4
-- Set-up -- her client -- "What kind of help is your promise?" -- she's not living in the "real world" -- must get out into direct experience -- a gun in 1st act...
-- min 11 -- goes to The House of Games -- underworld/intrigue
-- we're taught what a tell is -- learning [the best movies teach us something]
-- min 18 -- enters the game -- a job, a task -- he gets her into it by conning her -- tit for tat
-- stakes raised -- a big bet, lots of money
-- oh shit -- he lost the hand and now SHE'S out the money -- he conned her
-- the jig is up -- she discovers its a squirt gun -- a con -- reversal [rhythm and release: the tension is lifted]
-- 30 mins -- act 2 now -- he explains the short con and debt to her client is forgiven
-- 35 -- doubt about her position in life [typical 2nd act stuff]
-- 40 -- she goes back out to find that excitement
-- she propositions him to write about him
-- the con game explained -- short con -- shown -- 43 mins. [this is the William H. Macy scene]
-- "Don't trust nobody."
-- 52/3 -- They fuck -- midpoint
-- 57 -- setpiece -- another con
-- 60ish -- a reversal -- mark is a cop -- DEAD -- she's all in now
-- 70ish -- steals a car
-- briefcase is gone
-- she'll give it to him [the money, that is]
-- he's gone -- end of act 2
-- 1:15 -- visits old professor again -- 3rd act
-- 1:22 -- discovers Billy's been in on the con -- same car
-- 1:25 -- goes to tavern -- everyone there from previous scenes -- JT Walsh is alive
-- he cons her -- by showing her the con game!
-- she comes to find him and con him -- she fails -- he recognizes it
-- 1:35 -- she kills him
-- she's got a taste for thievery now -- steals a gold lighter like the one her old friend has.