• Release CalendarDVD & Blu-ray ReleasesTop Rated MoviesMost Popular MoviesBrowse Movies by GenreTop Box OfficeShowtimes & TicketsShowtimes & TicketsIn TheatersComing SoonComing SoonMovie NewsIndia Movie Spotlight
      What's on TV & StreamingWhat's on TV & StreamingTop Rated ShowsMost Popular ShowsBrowse TV Shows by GenreTV NewsIndia TV Spotlight
      What to WatchLatest TrailersIMDb TVIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb Podcasts
      OscarsBest Picture WinnersBest Picture WinnersGolden GlobesEmmysLGBTQ+ Pride MonthSTARmeter AwardsSan Diego Comic-ConNew York Comic-ConSundance Film FestivalToronto Int'l Film FestivalAwards CentralFestival CentralAll Events
      Born TodayMost Popular CelebsMost Popular CelebsCelebrity News
      Help CenterContributor ZonePolls
    For Industry Professionals
      AllTitlesTV EpisodesCelebsCompaniesKeywords
    • Advanced Search
    Watchlist
    Sign In
    Welcome to the new version of this page.
    Learn more
    Report an issue

    Play the Game

    • 20092009
    • PG-13PG-13
    • 1h 45min
    IMDb RATING
    6.4/10
    2.6K
    YOUR RATING
    • Cast & crew
    • User reviews
    • Trivia
    • IMDbPro
    Andy Griffith in Play the Game (2009)
    Trailer for Play The Game
    Trailer2:35
    2 Videos
    15 Photos
    ComedyRomance

    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.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.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.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.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
    Top credits
    • Director
      • Marc Fienberg
    • Writer
      • Marc Fienberg
    • Stars
      • Paul Campbell
      • Andy Griffith
      • Doris Roberts
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 23User reviews
    • 17Critic reviews
    • 35Metascore
  • See production, box office & company info
    • Awards
      • 3 wins

    Videos2

    Play The Game
    Trailer 2:35
    Play The Game
    Play The Game
    Trailer 2:30
    Play The Game

    Photos15

    Andy Griffith in Play the Game (2009)
    Andy Griffith in Play the Game (2009)
    Andy Griffith in Play the Game (2009)
    Andy Griffith in Play the Game (2009)
    Andy Griffith in Play the Game (2009)
    Play the Game (2009)
    Play the Game (2009)
    Play the Game (2009)
    Doris Roberts and Andy Griffith in Play the Game (2009)
    Play the Game (2009)
    Andy Griffith in Play the Game (2009)
    Andy Griffith in Play the Game (2009)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Paul Campbell
    Paul Campbell
    • David Mitchellas David Mitchell
    Andy Griffith
    Andy Griffith
    • Grandpa Joeas Grandpa Joe
    Doris Roberts
    Doris Roberts
    • Rose Shermanas Rose Sherman
    Marla Sokoloff
    Marla Sokoloff
    • Julie Larabeeas Julie Larabee
    Liz Sheridan
    Liz Sheridan
    • Edna Gordonas Edna Gordon
    Clint Howard
    Clint Howard
    • Dick Mitchellas Dick Mitchell
    Rance Howard
    Rance Howard
    • Mervin Lavineas Mervin Lavine
    Geoffrey Owens
    Geoffrey Owens
    • Rob Marcusas Rob Marcus
    Juliette Jeffers
    Juliette Jeffers
    • Carrie Marcusas Carrie Marcus
    Marie Caldare
    Marie Caldare
    • Rebeccaas Rebecca
    Bunny Levine
    Bunny Levine
    • Claire Cranstonas Claire Cranston
    Monica Garcia
    Monica Garcia
    • Gillianas Gillian
    Sergio Enrique
    Sergio Enrique
    • Sergioas Sergio
    Michelle Pierce
    Michelle Pierce
    • Susanas Susan
    Mario Di Donato
    • Flame Car Buyeras Flame Car Buyer
    Robert A. Johnson
    Robert A. Johnson
    • Refereeas Referee
    Omar Adam
    Omar Adam
    • Jamesas James
    Betty McGuire
    Betty McGuire
    • Mahjong Ladyas Mahjong Lady
    • Director
      • Marc Fienberg
    • Writer
      • Marc Fienberg
    • All cast & crew
    See production, box office, & company info

    More like this

    Betting on the Bride
    5.6
    Betting on the Bride
    The Charm of Love
    5.7
    The Charm of Love
    Murder, She Baked
    7.7
    Murder, She Baked
    Home by Spring
    6.2
    Home by Spring
    The Irresistible Blueberry Farm
    7.0
    The Irresistible Blueberry Farm
    5.5
    Ron Howard's Call to Action
    Christmas in Boston
    6.2
    Christmas in Boston
    Trading Christmas
    7.0
    Trading Christmas
    Santa's Boots
    6.3
    Santa's Boots
    The Mighty Macs
    6.5
    The Mighty Macs
    Holiday Engagement
    6.0
    Holiday Engagement
    Accidentally Engaged
    5.8
    Accidentally Engaged

    Storyline

    Edit
    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 woman 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? —<jhailey@hotmail.com>
    grandfather grandson relationship2000swidowerroseretirement home24 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Taglines
      • Andy Griffith like you have never seen him before
    • Genres
      • Comedy
      • Romance
    • Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
      • Rated PG-13 for sexual content and language
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The last movie or television role for Andy Griffith.
    • Quotes

      Grandpa Joe: You either know it when you meet her, or know it when you lose her.

    • Crazy credits
      After the end credits, there is a short scene of Andy Griffith in bed.
    • Connections
      References Bonnie and Clyde (1967)
    • Soundtracks
      East Coast Leaves
      Written by Marty Wereski

      Performed by The JL Quartet

      Courtesy of Mar-Tune Music

    User reviews23

    Review
    Top review
    Slow & Repetitive, The Importance of Editing, Otherwise Decent Game
    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.
    helpful•0
    0
    • Chrysanthepop
    • Jul 18, 2013

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 28, 2009 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Official site
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Сыграем в игру
    • Filming locations
      • Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Story Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $1,100,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $659,483
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $51,197
      • Mar 1, 2009
    • Gross worldwide
      • $659,483
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 45min
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.78 : 1

    Related news

    Power Book II: Ghost Spoilers For Season 1, September 20, 2020 Episode 3 Revealed
    Power Book II: Ghost Spoilers For Season 1, September 20, 2020 Episode 3 Revealed
    Sep 14OnTheFlix
    Rock Hall 2020: Welcome to the Machines
    Rock Hall 2020: Welcome to the Machines
    Jan 15Rollingstone.com

    Contribute to this page

    Edit page
    • Getting started
    • Contributor Zone

    More to explore

    View list
    List
    IMDb's Summer Movie Preview
    See the full list
    Image caption not available
    3:42
    Here's What to Watch in June
    Watch the video

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb App
    • Get the IMDb App
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • IMDb TV
    • Box Office Mojo
    • IMDb Developer
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Interest-Based Ads

    © 1990-2021 by IMDb.com, Inc.