Imagine sitting through 120 minutes of torture — a torture that is so cerebral that one would not mind the agony of some physical discomfort if only it acts as a distraction. Why would anybody choose to make such a pitiable film and tout it as a psychological thriller is beyond one’s imagination, especially when there is nothing psychological or thrilling about it. In fact, you probably need a disprin after it to provide some relief from the inane agony that is The Game - 90 Ghanta.

This Swapan Ghosh production and Sougata Ray Barman and Sushanta Pal Choudhury co-directed film had been making the right noises, about wanting to experiment with a different genre and making mature films, moving away from the girl meets boy romance. Yet, this film is perhaps the best example of how noble intentions need not always translate into good films. Ghosh, who has previously produced films like Kaantatar and Abhinetri has unfortunately gone wrong this time, right from the pitiable acting by the lead actors to the shoddy direction. Rishin (Jishu Sengupta) and Mayuri (Swastika Mukherjee) are a couple (either married or living together, the film never makes it clear). Rishin is a rich bored businessman wanting some thrill with his life and Mayuri is a crime reporter, whose ex-boyfriend George (Tota Roychoudhury) is a hit-man. Longing for some excitement Rishin hires George to kill him, and George is now torn between his duty as a killer and a genuine admiration for his client/victim. The catch however is that the plan must be executed within 90-hours. So starts the game. Or as the directors would like us to believe, since there really isn't any.

The first half of the film, where Jishu tries hard to play a schizophrenic and Swastika his doting partner is a drag, where the actors ham on and on about nothing. The main story actually starts post-interval, when the two male protagonists finally meet. So what is the first half about? About the characters trying to justify their sorry existence. While Jishu plays the I-am-bored-with-my-life role, Tota tries hard to play the violin-playing gangster. And honestly violin never sounded so bad. As for Swastika, will some one actually ask her to take a sabbatical and attend an acting school. When the plot actually unfolds in the second half, it’s jarred by loud music and bizzare situation and yet more over-the top acting.