Dangerous Game (1993)

29% of critics liked it
(14 reviews)
40% of users liked it
(2,453 ratings)

Celebrated indie filmmaker Eddie Israel (Harvey Keitel) heads to California to shoot his latest movie, Mother of Mirrors, an examination of a marriage in which the wife pressures her husband to abandon their formerly mutual sex-and-drugs lifestyle and seek the same kind of religious conversion she… More Celebrated indie filmmaker Eddie Israel (Harvey Keitel) heads to California to shoot his latest movie, Mother of Mirrors, an examination of a marriage in which the wife pressures her husband to abandon their formerly mutual sex-and-drugs lifestyle and seek the same kind of religious conversion she has experienced. Leaving behind his own wife Madlyn (Nancy Ferrara) and his young son, Eddie explains the impetus of his latest project in a series of behind-the-scenes interviews. Meanwhile, Sarah Jennings (Madonna), a TV actress, has taken the wife role in Eddie's film, and her first item of business on the set is to sleep with Francis Burns (James Russo), who is set to play her husband. Things go sour between the two players and their conflicts spill onto the set, adding even more tension to a shoot in which Eddie alternately bullies and cajoles his actors to elicit more authentic performances. Perhaps Eddie manipulates Sarah onscreen because he's ashamed of having bedded his "very L.A." star just minutes before his wife and son arrived early for a weekend visit. Eddie soon finds the existential dilemmas of his film seeping into his own life, forcing him to question the compulsive adultery he practices. One of the first movies overseen by the film arm of Maverick, the record label and media company Madonna founded in the early '90s, Dangerous Game was produced by the singer's longtime manager, Freddy de Mann, alongside Mary E. Kane, who produced several earlier Ferrara efforts. ~ Brian J. Dillard, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 47 min.
Directed By: Abel Ferrara
Genres: Drama

In Theaters: Nov 19, 1993 Wide
On DVD: Jul 26, 2005
Studio: MGM Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Nick Schager, Lessons of Darkness
One of [Ferrara's] most rewardingly challenging works.
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
...an uncommonly interminable experience.
Cole Smithey, ColeSmithey.com
This twisted little trainwreck is amazing for the fact that it was ever even made.
Brent Simon, Now Playing Magazine
Two minutes in and Harvey Keitel's sweaty, heaving, naked body is on display. Yes, it's another Abel Ferrara picture...
Spyder Darling, NY Rock
More dreadful than dangerous.
James Sanford, Kalamazoo Gazette
Dreary drivel from Madonna's "arty" phase
Alex Sandell, Juicy Cerebellum
Had everything going for it, but then never really went anywhere.

Read all 7 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

Derek D

I understood the premise of this film (about a filmmaker trying to get more and more out of his actors while fighting his own personal demons) but the movie was too dark, both mentally and production-wise. Madonna actually puts together a halfway-decent performance, as does… More
I understood the premise of this film (about a filmmaker trying to get more and more out of his actors while fighting his own personal demons) but the movie was too dark, both mentally and production-wise. Madonna actually puts together a halfway-decent performance, as does method-acting extraordinaire Keitel. Not the most interesting or watchable film I've ever seen.
Sarah P

A different type of film, it just didn't pull me in like I expected.
Christopher B

That's right! I like this film. Very much in fact. Hot on the heels on Ferrara's finest film, Bad Lieutenant, comes what is probably his most challenging one...and most bizarre. A lot of folks who thought Ferrara was on his way up after BL were put in their place by this… More
That's right! I like this film. Very much in fact. Hot on the heels on Ferrara's finest film, Bad Lieutenant, comes what is probably his most challenging one...and most bizarre. A lot of folks who thought Ferrara was on his way up after BL were put in their place by this uncompromising flick that leaves the viewer scratching their noggin. Still, whether you understand it or not (I don't remember it all too well, it's been years since I've seen it) it's entertaining and has all the elements I love in a Ferrara flick.
Ina S

There is a good reason for the fact that nobody knows this film. Madonna should be banned from acting forever. I am truly ashamed to admit I actually own the DVD. It was cheap and I didn't know the movie, dammit! ;-)

Cast

            Harvey Keitel as Eddie Israel

            Madonna as Sarah Jennings

            James Russo as Francis Burns

            Nancy Ferrara as Madlyn Israel

            Reilly Murphy as Tommy

            Victor Argo as Director of Photography

            Christina Fulton as Blonde

            Dylan Hundley as Party Guest

            Glenn Plummer as Burns' Buddy

            Julie Pop as Morton's Waitress

            John Snyder as Party Guest

            Leonard Thomas as Prop Guy

            Adina Winston as Party Guest

            Lori Eastside as Party Guest

            Hiram Ortiz as Hair

            Bill Pope as Camera Operator

            Anthony Redman as Swinger

            Martin Schaer as Camera Operator

            Jesse Long as Script Supervisor

            Randall Sabusawa as Producer

            Mindy Eshelman as Wardrobe

            Noga Isackson as 1st AD

            Linda Murphy as Boom Operator

            Steven Albert as Boxing Announcer

            Robyn B. Ashley as Flight Attendant

            Lili Barsha as Flight Attendant

            Heather Bracken as Stewardess

            Marta Bukowski as Video Tap Monitor

            Jim Fitzgerald as 1st Assistant Cameraman

            Juliette Hohnen as Bar Patron

            Niki Munroe as Girl in Trailer

            Richard Belzer
            
See full cast