Name that movie: people gambling life and limb on games of luck?

November 30, 2004 11:58 AM

What's That Movie?!?!?! So my girlfriend is trying to remember the title of this movie that she's seen. It was released within the last few years, and essentially deals with people playing games that rely purely on luck, and if they succeed they win prizes, and if they don't, then they die, or lose limbs, or something like that.

The best clue we have to go on is that she remembers the final scene being set in the woods, and people are released to run blindfolded through the woods, and hope that they don't smack into trees, and the first one to make it out wins, or something along those lines. If anyone can tell us what it is, it's Metafilter!
posted by The Michael The to Media & Arts (15 answers total)

Best answer: It's Intacto, the scene in the woods isn't at the end though.
posted by biffa at 12:04 PM on November 30, 2004

Response by poster: Six minutes. Amazing. Thanks, biffa.
posted by The Michael The at 12:06 PM on November 30, 2004

Which brings us to the next question: Is it any good? The IMDB blurb looks mildly intriguing. Should I watch it?
posted by fvw at 12:17 PM on November 30, 2004

Mildly intruiging is about right. Max von Sudow is always good, but otherwise it's just a wee bit contrived.
posted by muckster at 12:21 PM on November 30, 2004

I was coming in to answer the question but was too late. I really liked it. I never understood the 'contrived' objections. It takes place in a sort of alternate universe where "luck" is actually a force or talent that a select few have enormous amounts of. Once you accept that premise, the movie follows it to its logical conclusions including, as mentioned above, Luck contests involving death-defying stunts.

I love the movie's opening scenes which introduces us to the reigning King of Luck, who of course owns a casino.
posted by vacapinta at 12:28 PM on November 30, 2004

It's one of those movies that divides audiences, either you love it or hate it. I loved it, and would recommend it. And congrats, biffa...
posted by keijo at 12:32 PM on November 30, 2004

Intacto is one of the best films I've seen this year!
posted by Juicylicious at 12:33 PM on November 30, 2004

Intacto is a great movie, indeed. If you liked the premise, you might enjoy William H. Macy in The Cooler. It's definitely not of the same caliber as Intacto, but still entertaining.
posted by majcher at 12:47 PM on November 30, 2004

it's not amazing, but it's entertaining enough to be worth watching.
posted by juv3nal at 12:48 PM on November 30, 2004

It's very slick and stylish. The cinematography is nice. I thought it was a bit contrived too, but enjoyed it anyway. I'd recommend it, although it's not one of those films I'd watch twice in the same weekend.
posted by Shane at 12:49 PM on November 30, 2004

Intacto.
posted by orange clock at 2:10 PM on November 30, 2004

no it's not, its Intacto.
posted by docpops at 5:50 PM on November 30, 2004

Compacto
posted by docpops at 5:51 PM on November 30, 2004

Premier Impacto
posted by anomie at 8:42 PM on November 30, 2004

Well I thought it was pretty good, an original idea properly followed through, nicely shot and Max von Sydow is great. I would say 4 out of 5.
The Cooler is also worth a look, same general area, maybe a bit more of a character study, not as good as Intacto but you get to bullshit about the upswing in Alec Baldwin's career and performances since he returned as a character actor.
posted by biffa at 3:37 AM on December 1, 2004