AllMovie

The Only Game in Town failed quickly as a stage play, but for some reason was given a very high-budget film version, which was an even bigger commercial failure. Game is not as bad as all that leads one to believe, but neither is it a particularly good film. Frank D. Gilroy's screenplay is surprisingly inconsequential, the kind of thing that turned up frequently as a "TV movie of the week" a few years later. It wants to be a romantic comedy that also has something to say about the way people interact, but what it has to say is facile and predictable. Gilroy also has contributed some unintentionally funny dialogue that, one supposes, is meant to be sensitive and meaningful. George Stevens' direction is too heavy and poorly paced, although he does manage to make a few key scenes "land" effectively. The fact that this ultra-Las Vegas story was filmed in Paris doesn't help matters; more problematic is Elizabeth Taylor, looking beautiful (if a bit heavy) but totally miscast. Physically, she's the exact opposite of what a Vegas showgirl should be, as well as at least ten years too old; but her persona is all wrong, as well. No one can really buy Taylor as the kind of working-class girl she's supposed to be -- especially when her wardrobe clearly cost a pretty penny. Warren Beatty is much better in a patented ladies' man role, and he brings a nice touch of pathos to the proceedings. It's not a great performance, but it's more than respectable, and it helps keep this Game going longer than it deserves.