Joe Mantegna Is Best Known For The Simpsons And Criminal Minds, But He’s Also In One Of The Best Movies Of The ’80s

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If you ask most people about the greatest movies from the 1980s, they’ll likely mention classics like Ghostbusters, E.T., and Scarface.

I agree those films are excellent – especially Scarface, which remains a truly iconic gangster movie. However, I believe one of the best movies from the 1980s is often overlooked: the 1987 neo-noir film House of Games, starring Lindsay Crouse and Joe Mantegna, who you might also know from Criminal Minds and The Simpsons.

David Mamet’s first film as director, House of Games, is a fantastic movie from the 1980s that many people haven’t discovered – and I think that should change.

It’s Probably The Best Movie You’ll Ever Watch About Con Men

Do you know what “a confidence man” is? It’s actually an archaic term for “con” man, and I know you know what that is. Well, House of Games is centered around the world of con men (or, “confidence” men), and it’s a world that I knew very little about until I watched this film. It even goes into what is called the “long con.”

Let’s be real, most of us probably think we know a good long con thanks to The Sting. And honestly, it could use a refresh! But while that’s a classic example, it doesn’t quite feel like Paul Newman and Robert Redford are truly the villains. Robert Shaw’s character is the real bad guy, and we’re rooting for the charming duo the whole time. They make conning seem almost…okay, especially given the backdrop of the Great Depression. It feels less malicious and more like they’re just trying to get by, which makes it easy to sympathize with them.

What really struck me about House of Games is how realistically it portrays con artists. It doesn’t shy away from showing their genuinely manipulative side. The film makes it clear that their charm isn’t genuine—it’s a tool to gain your trust, to make you feel comfortable enough to fall for their schemes. It’s unsettling, because you realize just how calculating and morally bankrupt these people are beneath the surface.

This movie is not only exciting, but it also serves as a warning about dangerous people who are out to steal everything from you. Be careful and don’t let them succeed.

You Yourself Feel Like You’ve Been Conned About Midway Through

I’ve focused a lot on how believable the scammers are in this movie, but I haven’t yet explained what the film is actually about. The story centers around a psychiatrist, Margaret Ford (played by Crouse), who is treating a patient threatening suicide due to overwhelming debt and a dangerous person he owes money to. She manages to talk him out of it—not by physically stopping him, but by convincing him to put down his gun and trust that she’ll speak to the creditor later that evening.

The intimidating figure is actually a man named Mike, portrayed by Mantegna. He offers to forgive a debt if Margaret joins him at a poker game, where he teaches her how to spot bluffs. She tries to help him, but he loses and is forced to hand over a large amount of money at gunpoint. Margaret offers to cover the debt herself, but then realizes the gun is a fake – she’s been scammed. Surprisingly, she isn’t angry; instead, she’s fascinated by the con artists and continues to spend time with them.

What’s so great about this movie is that it keeps you guessing. You follow the characters, thinking you know what’s happening, and then you realize you’ve been tricked. I don’t want to give away how, but it’s a brilliantly executed twist.

It’s amazing how the story manages to stay ahead of the viewer. You’re so caught up in the events that you don’t notice you’re being led along – it’s really something to see when you watch it!

Joe Mantegna Is So Alluring In This Role

I’m a huge fan of The Simpsons, and while Homer and Bart are great, I think Lisa is actually the best character. One of my favorites, though, is Fat Tony, voiced perfectly by Joe Mantegna. He’s a much funnier criminal than the character in House of Games. Even though the guy in that movie is charming, you always suspect he’s up to no good.

Despite everything, he doesn’t come across as malicious. Actually, when he offers to explain his methods to Crouse’s character, it’s clear he takes pride in his ability to con people. Though what he does is wrong, he seems to genuinely enjoy it, and that’s strangely fascinating – he’s proud of his skills, and that shines through.

What makes Mike so interesting is that he’s unlike a typical criminal. Someone like Fat Tony, or the targets on shows like Criminal Minds, acts with clear malicious intent. But Mike doesn’t see his actions as wrong, because he believes his clients enjoyed the experience, even if they lost money. He feels he provided a service they willingly participated in, assuming they understood the risks. After all, why would they work with him if they didn’t know what he did?

The character is intricate, requiring both intelligence and charisma, and Mantegna portrays them brilliantly, making us root for them. That leads me to my final thought.

By The End Of It, You Probably Don’t Know How You Feel About The Protagonist

I don’t want to give anything away about the movie, but I was left feeling conflicted about the main character. She gets swept up in a wild and thrilling adventure, but her eventual actions felt questionable – not necessarily cruel, but definitely wrong and perhaps without a good reason.

One of the things I appreciated most about this film is that it evoked a lot of complex feelings – something I personally enjoy, even though it’s not for everyone. I remained neutral throughout most of the story, simply observing what happened. However, the dialogue near the end really made me reconsider everything I’d seen, offering a new perspective on the events.

I’m a huge David Mamet fan. While I especially love Glengarry Glen Ross, I admire his writing across the board – things like Oleanna, The Verdict, and The Untouchables. He’s a master at creating compelling characters, and I think this movie showcases some of his finest work in that regard.

Have you seen House of Games? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

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2025-12-08 15:10