Paul Campbell VIII, Andy Griffith, Marla Sokoloff

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.

Flixster Users

60% liked it

10,611 ratings

Critics

29% liked it

28 critics

PG-13, 1 hr. 45 min.

Directed by: Marc Fienberg

Release Date: August 28, 2009

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DVD Release Date: January 29, 2010

Stats: 60 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (60)


  • September 3, 2009
    Play the Game is the type of movie for which you don't know what to expect. Very little publicity, a shaky premise about a grandfather-grandson relationship that seems implausible, and a cast that isn't quite a stellar -- or even a recognizable -- amalgamation of talent.

    David (...( read more)Paul Mitchell) is a ladies' man of the most arrogant and calculating kind. When he comes across a girl he can't have so easily (Sokoloff), he goes into panic mode because his usual tricks aren't working. Meanwhile, his grandfather (Andy Griffith) is the lonely old man at the retirement home who is, as opposed to his grandchild, a wallflower in search of companionship.

    Now, each man (grandson/grand father) must help the other in order to help themselves achieve their goals of securing themselves a woman to be with. As it turns out, though, in playing the dangerous game of love, their roles suddenly become reversed and one is looking for long-term love, while the other is miraculously in need of instant gratification. You guess what happens next...

    The movie starts off quite shakily because of its preposterous plot and initial devises which are used to induce humor (including a horribly un-funny scene with grandpa at the club.) But the movie, slowly, manages to lose its uneasiness as the script begins to deliver some tender and genuinely funny moments via its patriarchal character; grandpa Andy Griffith.

    The film's execution is rather crude and choppy, and its soundtrack is incredibly sappy (with cues being brought in after almost every line of dialogue.) These erroroneous decisions often make the film seem like an after-school special or made-for-television movie that's supposed to teach you the value of family and being "tight."

    The film manages to overcome its sappy trappings thanks, single-handedly, to Andy Griffith and his earnest and endearing performance as the meek old man-turned sex maniac.

    Additionally, a plot twist seemingly thrown in during the final minutes was cute and made for a slightly interesting revisiting of earlier events that had transpired in the film; but was ultimately unnesessary. It really didn't pay off, considering the movie was one whose self-awareness was already well pronounced and still failed to completely rise above its own attempt at wittiness. Kudos for Griffith, though!
  • August 27, 2009
    This movie is great!! I love Andy Griffith, and have since first seeing him as a youngster on Mayberry! Also love Doris Roberts from Everyone loves Raymond! They picked two of the best to play these parts!! A + in my book!! Patricia Groman (Trish)
  • August 24, 2009
    just another comedy movie, nothings special
  • August 24, 2009
    The story was painfully predictable, and the humor was a little too contrived at times, but this was still a cute, fun flick. Good movie to watch with your parents.

    Roger Dodger is definitely the better flick though.
  • August 24, 2009
    Seems Funny and entertaining
  • August 23, 2009
    men are funny when it comes to playing the dating game!
  • August 21, 2009
    Absolutely adorable. Certainly lives up to its billing as "Andy Griffith like you've never seen him before!" A "ladies man" Andy Griffith... never thought I'd see that! Loved it.
  • February 27, 2009
    A young ladies' man named David Mitchell (Paul Campbell) teaches his dating tricks to his lonely, widowed Grandfather Joe (Andy Griffith) are playing his best mind games.

    David meets Julie Larabee (Marla Sokoloff) is the woman of his dream. Grandpa Joe teaches David the best wa...( read more)y to win the game of love is not to play games at all. David & his Grandpa Joe may have met their match.

Critic Reviews


August 27, 2009
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

It's The Andy Griffith Show meets Seinfeld in the sack in Play the Game, which shows Andy is not too old to star in a sex comedy, I guess. full review

View more Play The Game reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments


  • bgwmktg
    August 22, 2009
    Win Tickets to "Play The Game" or a Call with Jerry Seinfeld's Mom

    Enter here: http://bit.ly/RYDIw for a chance to win free tickets to the movie “Play the Game” or a phone call with Jerry Seinfeld’s mom and leading lady, Liz Sheridan! The movie is an original comedy featuring Andy Griffith, Doris Roberts & Liz Sheridan like you’ve never seen them before.

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