The Pickup Game

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source: The Pickup Game

I was lucky enough to get the last ticket to this at a sold out festival screening in New York and was completely blown away! As a woman, the pick up world is something I have always been interested in but this took me in further and deeper than I had ever imagined. It was one of the hyped films of the festival and I'd heard a few people talk about it but it's rare that a movie can surpass (or let's face it even live up to) the hype and expectations around it. Needless to say I was not disappointed. It's a film that kept turning over and over in my mind for days. And one that I discussed with friends for some time afterwards. Stunning in every aspect, and exceeds all hype and expectation... Can't wait to watch it again!

The best documentaries capture your attention and don't let it go. The Pickup Game is one of those. This is a film where you spend a large part of it thinking "How did they get THAT on camera?!" The documentary focuses on a group of modern day seduction coaches (if you can call it that) and their students, girlfriends and the secret underground business they have built. Another review said it is "Everything you ever wanted to know about the seduction industry but were afraid to ask." That pretty much sums it up. Definitely one to watch.

This film intrigued me for several reasons: I had read Neil Strauss's book The Game when it was released (probably like everybody else of my generation) and knew a few friends who had dabbled in this scene. So I was curious to check it out. Without revealing any spoilers, I will just say that no one could have scripted an investigative film that would have had as much impact as this documentary does. It's intense and very disturbing. But for all the darkness in the movie, it actually feels quite balanced and fair. A lot of the material comes across in a unique and un-obvious way. Certainly not how you would expect it to from the title. This thing is tight though -- and fascinating, and frightening. One to watch and one I have recommended to everyone I've discussed it with.

The documentary is quite entertaining and points out some dangerous pitfalls you want to watch out for if you're a man who needs help meeting women. I was one of those men, and I've studied quite a bit of pickup material. What struck me while watching the documentary was that it did not include many of the most popular coaches who happen to focus on a thing called "inner game", i.e. becoming more confident, centered and happy. For example, Owen Cook aka RSDTyler is the co-founder of Real Social Dynamics and probably the most popular pickup coach ever. He is briefly mentioned in the documentary, but what he teaches is not mentioned at all. I would say that most of his newer teachings (since The Blueprint De-Coded from 2008) are very healthy and help a lot of people. Another top dating/pickup coach who isn't mentioned is Eben Pagan aka David DeAngelo, who founded Double Your Dating. Pretty healthy teachings too, at least his inner game content such as the "Deep Inner Game" program with Dr Paul Dobransky. I hope viewers remember that the guy on the street (e.g. the guy in documentary who isn't a dating coach) is not necessarily as narcissistic and manipulative as the pickup coaches in this documentary. Maybe he's just a shy guy trying to become less shy by overcoming his fear of talking to women although there is a good deal of narcissistic people in the "game". I recommend that people actually go on YouTube and watch some videos by some pickup guys. It's not all toxic.

Caught a preview screening at Hot Docs earlier this year and this was without a doubt the most unsettling theatre experience of the festival. I didn't know much about the pick-up world before watching this documentary and all I can say is this film leaves no stone unturned. It begins innocently enough, with the origins of the pick up ideology back in the 1980s before moving onto the subculture as it is today. And by all accounts the industry is everywhere. In every major city across the world, it is now a billion dollar business. The film shows the ideology taught by many of these pickup schools as well as the students that sign up to the courses before diving head first into the darker sides of the culture. An extremely powerful film. Brilliantly structured, tragic and cinematic. More than worth your time.

This haunting, heartbreaking and disturbing film takes us into the hidden world of pick-up artists and the seduction schools they run. We get a close up of how these schools work, the kind of things they teach and how these teachings are put into practice. I'm sure other women will recognize some of the tactics that are shown in this film. I know I did. Forewarned is forearmed as they say. And yet, as much as I was appalled by the behavior of many of the people in it, there were aspects of it I could relate to. And this is what makes the film such a challenging viewing experience. Almost as if it's trying to remind us of our humanity. I couldn't help but feel for the shy, socially awkward men that get caught up in this world. Clearly some of them come into it with the best intentions. Although it doesn't necessarily stay that way. The Pickup Game is a tough watch, but it feels essential, not just for its vivid picture of a fascinating, deeply troubled crisis of masculine identity, but also for its wider significance: as a plea for people to stop being so horribly selfish and transactional. Almost as if it's a call for us to return to our basic humanity and rediscover genuine connection with each other.

Where EVER you are, who ever you are, protect yourselves by watching now! Disturbing thinking exposed! Dangerous "courses" uncovered!! Protect your family by learning what to look FOR! Gut wrenching.

Years after we all heard about pickup artists some men decided to mansplain it to us. This film SCREAMS "I showed my girl this so she'd think I'm a feminist". Do yourself a favour and skip the film. Google pickup artists and read about it if you're actually interested.