Play the Game (2009)

Paul (David Mitchell) thinks he has the rules of courting women down pat. With a good deal of success up to this point, it appears he is correct. A car salesman who really doesn't like his job, he nevertheless earns a sufficient salary to look the part of a swinging bachelor. Paul also goes to visit his widowed grandfather, Joe (Andy Griffith) at the retirement home, where Joe's fondest wish is to find a woman to "hold hands and conversation with". Therefore, Paul tries to school G-Pa Joe on the "modern" way to get women, including arranging future situations with a bit of deception. However, its not really Joe's style but the older man is soon going out with several ladies. Meanwhile, Paul agrees to play a touch football game with his co-workers from the dealership, where he meets an opposing player, a FEMALE, Julie (Marla Sokoloff). Instantly, Paul sees that he wants to use his back of tricks to get her attention. Yet, at every turn, Julie does the unexpected, making him work even harder to turn her head in his direction. Will the ultimate player be successful in wooing a fair maid's hand? This was a fun film about the gamesmanship of many relationships and the tried and true methods of an older generation's courtship. Mitchell, Griffith, Doris Roberts, Sokoloff and the rest of the cast are quite comical and engaging. Sets, costumes, script and direction have some good qualities, too. Yes, there is a bit of risqué material, as Grandpa discovers viagra and more. But, if you want a nice little romcom for a Saturday night in, this fits the bill.

While very predictable, and done in a formulaic manner, (i.e. boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy gets girl), I thought this was a very enjoyable movie overall. You can read the story lines in other reviews, but I was impressed that this film tackled real life issues of generation gaps and similarities, the overall search by all humanity to love and be loved, and even the more difficult issues of senior sexual relationships, in a very forthright and truthful way. Andy Griffith was spectacular in his role as Grandpa Joe, and all actors were competent in their parts. This is a good old fashioned feel good movie. It reminded me of something my grandmother once said to me, when I was 21 and she was 83. She said, "you kids aren't doing anything that hasn't been done for ages". This movie brings that concept together beautifully! Sit back and enjoy the ride.

These reviews are a little harsh. The story is pretty cute. It has it's funny parts, but I didn't go in expecting much. It's a very basic plot that with some editing would be really good, but I think it is worth a watch.I am a big fan of Indie films but they can be hit or miss. I thought it was a hit for originality in the story. I can agree with other reviews that it was rather annoying cutting back and forth between the two stories right when you get hooked. It has a feel good ending with a fun twist. I do think the preview for the film is a little misleading. It is a lot more sexual than you would think, but I found it entertaining. Don't take it too literal or you won't have fun with it. There are some parts that might be considered offensive to ages 60 and up. I could see how the movie isn't for everybody. It's definitely aimed at young adults who are still maturing emotionally.

Not having high expectation for a film that literally had no p & A so that people would even know that it's in theaters, I was pleasantly surprised by the story. I wanted this film to be good because I know that the writer/director worked for about nine years to get this film made.It was a great idea. However, it was very poorly executed. About a third of the way into the film, I got settled in, ready to enjoy this film. Suddenly, the story line stopped as they cut to another Andy scene, and then started again. Stopped again, and then started.We were all rooting for our protagonist to get her girl but every time we were hooked on wanting Campbell to find his girl, it diverted our attention back to the other story. It went right back to Andy doing and/or saying the same thing he said in a previous scene. By the time we were half way through the film; I looked around and could tell that the audience was getting restless. We talked with a group of viewers after the show and they all had the same comment. What this film needed most was a great editor!! And for all the money that they put into getting this film in the theaters, they could have taken that money, gone a distributor and made a deal to use that money for the p & a. At least that's what I would have done. Nice try, but no cigar.