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

3 wins.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Paul Campbell	...	David Mitchell
Andy Griffith	...	Grandpa Joe
Doris Roberts	...	Rose Sherman
Marla Sokoloff	...	Julie Larabee
Liz Sheridan	...	Edna Gordon
Clint Howard	...	Dick Mitchell
Rance Howard	...	Mervin Lavine
Geoffrey Owens	...	Rob Marcus
Juliette Jeffers	...	Carrie Marcus
Marie Caldare	...	Rebecca
Bunny Levine	...	Claire Cranston
Monica Garcia	...	Gillian
Sergio Enrique	...	Sergio
Michelle Pierce	...	Susan
Mario Di Donato	...	Flame Car Buyer

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?

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Plot Keywords:

grandfather grandson relationship | 2000s | widower | rose | retirement home | 

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Taglines:

Andy Griffith like you have never seen him before

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Genres:

Comedy | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for sexual content and language

Did You Know?

Trivia

Andy Griffith co-stars in this film with Rance and Clint Howard. They are (respectively) the father and brother of Ron Howard, who was Griffith's co-star on The Andy Griffith Show (1960).

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Quotes

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

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Crazy Credits

During the credits, around where it starts to list the songs used in the movie, a dancing Andy Griffith comes on the screen.

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Connections

References The Brady Bunch (1969)

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Soundtracks

Gorgeous Behaviour
Written by Jacob Lind and Erik Sunbring
Performed by Marching Band
Courtesy of U & L Records

User Reviews

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.

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

28 August 2009 (USA)

Also Known As:

Jocul iubirii

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$1,100,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$51,197, 1 March 2009

Gross USA:

$659,483

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$659,483

Company Credits

Production Co:

Story Films

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1