Film and Felt

As an avid hater of reality television, I was surprised by the intelligence of James Ronald Whitney’s Games People Play. Spanning a few days in New York City, the film focuses on six people’s quest to win $10, 000 by being as wild and carefree as possible. “Games People Play” is the name of the most unrestricted reality game show there is, a romp through Manhattan where each contestant must execute their insane assignments as best they can. Said assignments include such enviable tasks as collecting urine from pedestrians, performing a triumvirate naked song-and-dance, and soliciting delivery men upon arrival.

Whitney’s direction is unabashedly confident. He doesn’t hold back from displaying graphic full-frontal nudity or kinky sexual acts. As such, conservatives and men who’re squeamish about seeing anything that remotely resembles homosexuality are advised to stay away. Not more than five minutes go by before there are tits and dicks all over the screen. Cinematically, I must admit that the freewheeling style and amusing situations were a blast for me to watch. Unlike crap such as Survivor or Temptation Island, there’s an honesty in Games People Play that eliminates the contrivance that permeates the television shows. I actually believed that these folks were doing these things. Can’t say the same about any reality TV show that I’ve seen…

That being said, what particularly interested me about Games People Play was the heart behind it. Beneath the sexcapadic surface, there’s a touching look at inhibitions, where they come from, and how to conquer them. Wild sequences are intercut with powerful confessions about traumatic and sad personal experiences. Among them are rapes and masochistic abuse with drugs and sharp objects. They’re not pleasant to watch, but they’re also not glorifying, and make the viewer contemplate and pity the extremes that these people went to. Considering the large number of intense personal demons, it’s no wonder that the contestants (and wannabe contestants) were willing to bare it all. It’s an outlet for their suffering and frustration, and these convictions come across strongly enough to make Games People Play a rewarding, if difficult, experience.

There are times where Games People Play overstays its welcome and becomes repetitive, but it’s normally snappy enough to overcome these glitches. More troublesome is that there’s apparently a sequel in the works, set in Hollywood. As an individual film, Games People Play is an impressive accomplishment that conquers the normal problems of reality entertainment. As a franchise, however, these same problems will inevitably crop up and much of what makes the film work will totally crumble Don’t do it, James! Until then, though, give Games People Play a twirl if you’re not offended by multitudes of sexual organs. I can’t guarantee enjoyment and there’ll be the normal slew of critics—and viewers—who find anything with bare skin or severe situations gratuitous by default, but take my word for it. It’s not.