I get how you can make it but "not playing the game" isn't something that you or I may do.

I agree. I don't think any of us have an honest choice in the matter because there's a large level of coercion behind social expectations. I should have used a different word than "choose," but I actually think your insight makes my reading stronger.

Even if he did "choose" not to play, the movie doesn't present a positive outcome for doing this.

Also, I love Tolkien, but his writing is full of analogies lol.