Columbo: It's All in the Game

"It's All In The Game" is another superior modern Columbo that easily ranks alongside the best 70s episodes. This is a timeless episode. All the elements of vintage Columbo are in place, with a few added twists.

The main attraction of this episode is the undercurrent between Columbo and murderess, played brilliantly by Faye Dunaway. As she says, you're never quite sure what Columbo is thinking. So you have conversations that work on different levels - superficially both Columbo and Dunawaye's character Lauren are flirting with each other and looking halfway to getting romantically involved, but under the surface they are basically just playing each other. That doesn't mean there isn't a genuine spark between the two, it's just a complicated mixture of head and heart. And with Columbo, his head always rules his heart - no matter how much he likes a murderer, he will never fail in his job to put them behind bars.

In this case the murderess has an accomplice, and Columbo goes so far as to spare her from arrest in return for Lauren's confession. The murder is a straightforward shooting, no trained dogs or magic markers balanced on record players. The relative simplicity of the case means that the episode can focus more on the dialogue and characterisation than an elaborate plot.

All in all this is a real classy episode that manages to be sophisticated and upmarket without ever becoming dreary in the process. The whole show was virtually single-handedly created by Peter Falk (well maybe that's a bit of an exaggeration) but it seems the more involvement he had in an episode, the better. He of all people knew how to get the best from Columbo.

Finally, no I don't think Columbo was ever remotely tempted to take his relationship with Lauren any further. The title explains everything: the flirting, the gentle frissons of romance are ultimately nothing more than Columbo's way of playing the game...

Out of the many "Columbo" TV episodes and movies, this one ranks among the best. Dunaway (who took home an Emmy for this) is sensational as a wealthy woman involved in the killing of her gambling, slimy younger boyfriend. She and Peter Falk play a game of cat and mouse with him constantly trying to get to the truth and her distracting him with offhand romantic comments and gestures. The chemistry between these very different actors is extraordinary. It sounds impossible that the queen of glamour would have any rapport with this rumpled, cross-eyed detective, but their relationship is fascinating. Falk's blushing at the interest from Dunaway is very charming and her adoration of him softens her sometimes severe edges. The convoluted story keeps viewers guessing as well, but the fun is in watching the stars bounce off each other. She is a monument to make-up and hairspray while he barely runs a comb through his hair, but they are a delight. WATCH THIS!

Omg. Finally a guest star worthy of playing a Columbo villain. Fay Dunaway brings an intensity to her role usually reserved for only the very best villains on vintage Columbo. Here the villain is very likable. Fay Dunaway brings class and her great acting chops to the role. Fabulous edge of your seat drama. The story wastes no time getting right to it which is sometimes a problem with the later columbo movies. Too much filler. Here not a minute is wasted !! Fabulous chemistry between Fay and Peter Falk. Columbo really feels for her and knows he has to do what he must, but reluctantly. Superb.

Best moment : Fay buys a tie for Columbo and plants one on him. A kiss that is.

This has got to be one of the best written Columbo episodes. Not that it's more clever than others (but it's not stupid either) but it's just more layered. Because of this, this Columbo movie entry can also be seen as one that doesn't stick necessarily purely just to the usual formula.

It's a surprising thing that this episode was written by Peter Falk himself. Amazing since he had never written a screenplay in his life before (at least not one that got turned into a movie) and it as of yet is also the last and only one he ever penned down. I guess starring in so many Columbo movies makes you an expert on police thrillers and Peter Falk one day decided to write down some of his own ideas. The result is a more personal Columbo movie, in which we get to see a more personal side (do we?) of the Lieutenant when he apparently falls for the charms of a young(er) beautiful woman, who however also happens to be the suspect in a murder case.

It's perhaps also a movie that moves along a bit slower than the usual Columbo movie entry. This is because the movie also focuses more on its characters, instead of just purely its murder plot. Still the movie itself also features some nice twists and other clever detective movie aspects. The lover of this genre will surely enjoy this movie even if that one isn't familiar with 'Columbo'.

Another nice thing about this movie is that is stars Faye Dunaway, who of course is a big star, especially back in those days. She plays a good role. We as the viewers knows what she is doing and that she is manipulating but yet we still care for- and appreciate the character, which is really thanks to Dunaway's performance. It's great to see her in the sequences together with Peter Falk. There was some good movie chemistry there.

A better- and slightly different than usual Columbo movie.

8/10

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It's All in the Game is one of the more fascinating of the latter-day Columbo movies for three reasons: 1. Peter Falk wrote this episode. 2. Faye Dunaway plays a character who flirts with the Leutenant in order to distract him from his suspicions. 3. Columbo almost seems to fall for her. As another poster mentioned, I did see some kind of lesbian subtext in an early scene between Dunaway's character and that of Claudia Christian's in the latter's apartment before the big reveal at the end. Also appearing were Bill Macy as the building super and Shelley Morrison, years before playing Karen's maid in Will and Grace, as the murdered victim's maid who is amusing showing Falk how she cleans the refrigerator. So the Leutenant likes peanut butter and raisins. O-k-a-y! Highly amusing and suspenseful and Ms. Dunaway deserved her Emmy. Definitely recommended for Columbo fans.