Play the Game (2009)

 A young ladies' man teaches his dating tricks to his lonely, widowed grandfather, and plays his best mind games to meet the woman of his dreams.

Director: Marc Fienberg
Writer: Marc Fienberg
Stars: Paul Campbell, Andy Griffith, Doris Roberts | See full cast and crew »

Storyline

David sells cars at his father's dealership and, from time to time, visits his grandpa, Joe, at a retirement home. David's a great salesman and he's successful attracting women, one after another. Joe, meanwhile, misses his deceased wife and is done with life. David gives Joe advice on how to get women's attention at the care center, and Joe gives David advice on how to find a lifelong companion. Each dismisses the other's words, then tries them out - David with Julie, a women he met playing football, and Joe with Edna and with Rose. Failures follow success. Can either figure out how to enjoy life and be themselves?

Movie Reviews

Marc Fienberg's 'Play the Game' has an original concept and it's even funny in places but for me the biggest problem was the pacing. The film really drags in places especially in some of Paul Campbell's scenes (not to blame the actor) and feels repetitive (scenes with Andy Griffith). It is quite charming in places but good editing was desperately required. Andy Griffith and Liz Sheridan are hilarious. Doris Roberts has her funny moments too. Marla Sokoloff is vivacious and Paul Campbell does a decent enough job. Some of the dialogues are funny enough but, as mentioned earlier, tend to be repetitive and sometimes borders on cliché. There's a fun interesting twist at the end but due to the slowness of the film, it's intended effect may be lost. Fienberg's effort is appreciated. It's a good concept, with good acting but this is an example of how lack of proper editing can inhibit ones appreciation of what could be an otherwise fun movie.

Categories: Play the Game (2009)