Reindeer Games - 3 stars out of 10

Reindeer Games - 3 stars out of 10

“Reindeer Games” is about what you would expect from a Christmas-themed thriller starring Ben Affleck.  I wouldn’t call the movie bad, but it certainly is not good.  The story had interesting potential, as a freed convict enters into a relationship with his dead inmate’s mail-correspondence-girlfriend, only to find himself forced into a crime due to his new false identity.  Each of the film’s twists progressively grow in shock value until the final twist will have you floored.  So what is wrong with “Reindeer Games”?  It is boring.  Charlize Theron was enchanting and Gary Sinise was sleazy, but the story just kind of plodded along between its great surprises.  The realism is also spoiled by such a motley crew of criminals who don’t know anything about crime.  The ending is also pretty bad and could have had a more satisfactory conclusion.  If you insist on watching this film because you are a Ben Affleck film (wait, do those exist?) or because the title brings about Christmas cheer, you will enjoy the few surprises but be left with an overall dissatisfied taste in your mouth.