Play the Game (2009) User Reviews

Enjoyable Movie

[dickklip · 7/10 · 31 January 2011]

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.

Good, entertaining, cute movie

[kelseypartyof5 · 7/10 · 20 December 2010]

I was pleasantly surprised at how entertaining and "cute" this movie was. I had never heard of it, but love Andy Griffith. In regards to the other reviews, my only negative is that the movie could've toned down some of the sexual stuff. However, I know people who unfortunately express themselves that way in normal conversations. So, it's not too far off. As far as some comments about Andy's portrayal and dialogue, I'm guessing they've only seen him on TAGS and Matlock. Before TAGS he played a real selfish jerk (and wonderfully so) in A Face In The Crowd with Walter Matthau and Patricia Neal. Also, he was great as a vengeful, murderous grandfather in Gramps with John Ritter from the 1990's I believe. Anyway, he's great as usual, and the young actress is very believable as well. Enjoyable overall, and the ending was a surprise that was great...

Solid film

[jbalog3 · 7/10 · 4 November 2010]

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.

Surprisingly not bad date movie

[nuhc · 6/10 · 7 February 2011]

My wife downloaded this on Netflix. We'd never heard of it before, but she liked the description so we watched it. The story line is of a young player who's out trying to score with women who visits his grandfather (Andy Griffith) in the retirement community. Apparently his grandmother recently passed away, and his grandfather made a promise to her that he would date again after she died. He tries to teach his grandfather all the tricks of getting women, and meanwhile meets a girl he really falls for. In a twist, the young player becomes a one-woman man, while his one-woman grandfather becomes quite the player.

This movie was surprisingly good for not having a lot of name brand talent (other than Andy Griffith and Doris Roberts). The younger actors in this movie tend to act a little stiff and it's as if their characters weren't completely fleshed out, but nonetheless the movie seems to come together in the end, even though the ending tends to be somewhat predictable. The funny parts though are the older actors discussing sex, like you wouldn't want to hear your grandparents talk about getting it on. And then a funny plot twist in the end makes this movie just a little bit better.

I thought the movie portrayed Andy Griffith's character as too naive in a lot of ways.

[obxparadise · 6/10 · 14 August 2012]

I enjoyed the characters David and Julie...and I loved the "twist" at the end - where she'd been playing the game too. I was not at all happy with Andy Griffith's character....at first it made "Joe" seem unusually simple for a man of his 84 years. Even if he'd only been with one woman all his life, he was bound to know more than he claimed to know. Then, it got a little uncomfortable when he started talking his "sex" talk and he appeared to be a dirty old man. It disappointed me, because that's just not Andy Griffith's style. (RIP). There were some truly funny scenes in the movie, though, most of them by David. I don't know why they chose the woman they did for Edna. She was definitely not an attractive OR sexy older woman. The sex scene between she and Joe literally turned me off...they could have done without that. Anyway, I did enjoy most of the movie, but I'm disappointed in Mr. Griffith's role in this movie.

Pretty good story line, but you should never watch it

[jeremyregerfacebook · 23 July 2011]

Great movie, and story line. But Andy Griffith being a sick old man, it just goes over the edge. I cannot believe Andy Griffith would be so desperate for money to agree to this act.. He says horny, erection, sucks, talks about oral sex, its disgusting.

The story line is great though, talking about relationships, and "game" landing "chicks" all that, is funny, but its a pretty terrible movie.

I don't really know what else to say.

The story ends well, but I wont spoil it.

I just cannot believe any of these actors would really do this because it is so disgusting.

Its almost a creepy type movie

Awkwardly Amusing

[lisab61367 · 6/10 · 26 May 2020]

This movie was not at all what I expected. A lot of well known and respected actors could have brought much more with better writing. I felt it lacked in key areas. Left me expecting more than what was delivered.

Bad Writing + Mediocre Acting = Play the Game

[chameleonz85 · 1/10 · 11 March 2012]

My wife and I were looking for a good romantic comedy to fill our afternoon. We stumbled across this film on Netflix saw that it had 3.2 stars out of five and said, "Hey, why not?" I soon wished I would have read more reviews as the movie quickly advanced into awkward scenes of old people sex, bad advice, bad acting, and multiple montages that happened so frequently I could have told the story in half the time and saved a lot of time and money. Most of the scenes felt awkward in that the shots were to long and many times it felt that the actors were waiting to just say their lines. After reading the synopsis I thought it would be a clever smart story but the writing just felt stupid and unrealistic like a "just friends" meets any Ben Stiller movie where he does not play a psycho...

The Cinematography was great, well lit, good shots, bright colors, but why did you have to show me old people having sex and then pushing the dialog to a point where it got so repetitive that I could quote the movie before I had even seen it!?

All that to say I regretfully watched this film and am giving it 1 star...

Loved It, Andy's Best since Waitress

[mmagick · 9/10 · 25 August 2009]

As a guest of FilmMetro.com I had the wonderful pleasure of seeing this movie on 8-25-2009. Here is Phoenix this film will open on Friday the 28th. As Grandpa Joe, Andy Griffith is just wonderful and plays the 84 year old in a role he was born to play. Mr. Griffith played a character known as Old Joe in Waitress a few years back and was very good in that role but even better here as a retirement home widower learning how to pick up women from his grandson, a "player" car salesman with all the right moves. This film is a comedy gem that keeps delivering the laughs from start to finish. Hard to believe Grandpa Joe is getting more action than his grandson. I highly recommend this for all ages. Lots of comedy, lots of laughs and just the right amount of love and romance with a cute twist at the end.

Players sometimes get played, don't they? A fun film, with a touch of risqué material

[inkblot11 · 7/10 · 16 March 2011]

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.

Andy Griffith As You've Never Seen Him Before - And You'll Wish You Hadn't Seen Him Like This Now!

[sddavis63 · 2/10 · 16 October 2010]

If you think it's funny or entertaining to listen to Andy Griffith talk in some degree of unnecessary detail about the erections he gets while taking Viagra then settle in and get ready - because you'll love this. Andy plays Joe, a lonely widower in a nursing home who gets taught how to "get the girls" by his grandson David (Paul Campbell.) Just as Joe (who had only been with David's grandmother through his entire life to this point) starts to enjoy playing the field, though, David (who wouldn't know commitment if it hit him with a car) meets someone he wants to settle down with (Julie, played by the very cute Marla Sokoloff) but who turns him down.

Once you get over the impossible to avoid distaste at watching Griffith (who generally plays pretty wholesome roles) discuss over and over again the state of his male anatomy, you have to decide which of the two story lines is more dull: watching Joe playing the field at the nursing home, or watching David pursue Julie to what you know from the start is going to be the inevitable "happily ever after" moment. The role reversal involved with the two characters struck me as incredibly "who cares?" and neither of the stories are either interesting or funny in particular. To the extent that there are laughs, I suppose Joe's story offers a few chuckles from time to time - and Sokoloff is adorably cute! On the whole, though, this movie is a train wreck.

Loved it

[mgarciber · 9/10 · 17 September 2013]

I really liked this movie. It has a little of everything, romance, comedy and a twist at the end that I did not see it coming. When I saw the cover of the movie I was like " na... It is a movie of a nursing home". But it was 9pm and I did not want to see an action, horror, thriller movie because sometimes I cannot sleep with those movies because I suffer from anxiety.

So I told my husband it had good reviews and he said lets go for it. I laughed during all the movie especially with the role of the grandpa. But as a girl I love to see those movies in which those macho guys that think they have everything figured out with girls end up finding the real love. But what really caught my heart of the movie is the final part. I thought that all the movie was about him and at the end we learn all the movie was about her with that final twist.

Thoroughly enjoyable!

[willandcharlenebrown · 7/10 · 24 November 2023]

What a treat! My wife and I turned this on for something that works have a hallmark feel and got way more than we bargained for. It has a fun message and and great classic cast that carry the younger actors and the movie. The scene and lines that follow the viagra are priceless. Absolutely priceless! Please Check this move out. You will not be disappointed. I promise!

What a treat! My wife and I turned this on for something that works have a hallmark feel and got way more than we bargained for. It has a fun message and and great classic cast that carry the younger actors and the movie. The scene and lines that follow the viagra are priceless. Absolutely priceless! Please Check this move out. You will not be disappointed. I promise!

NOT family friendly!

[bbj1969 · 1/10 · 25 October 2010]

We rented this because Andy Griffith was in it. We were disgusted! I thought Andy Griffith professed to be a believer in the Lord, Jesus Christ. I saw quite the opposite with this movie. If you are looking for Andy Taylor, you will NOT find him in this movie. As a parent I am angry that my children were exposed to a degree of porn. "Grandpa's horny and he wants to have some fun." Direct quote from Andy in the movie, and it only goes downhill from there.

If you want your children to respect sex with multiple partners before marriage, oral sex, and did I mention sex, then by all means watch it. But, if you care about morals, and what your children see then please stay away from Play The Game.

No exaggerations!

Adorably Hilarious

[nerdypeaches · 7/10 · 18 September 2021]

Andy Griffith's final movie and he prefers to be called a "chick magnet". LOL Its got all the romantic movie cliches w/ Hallmark movie actor (Paul Campbell ) and 90s Teen Queen Marla Sokoloff attached - but thats what makes it worth the watch.

Fluff. Sort of cute.

[beburgner · 4/10 · 31 December 2010]

There were some cute parts to this film and it really could have been funny if it was better written and better acted. Andy Griffiths role is over the top. His character would be much better played if it was more subtle and less crude.

One added note. I don't expect everything in a movie to be accurate, but it is important to note that senior citizens can and do give STD's to each other. In fact sexually transmitted diseases are high in many senior communities. This film clearly says that senior don't need to use protection. Big mistake. It would have not hurt the movie in any way to get this point right.

A must see movie for intergenerational understanding

[californean · 8/10 · 18 February 2013]

I can understand why some may find this movie to be coarse or scandalous. Getting famous celebrities such as Andy Griffith and Doris Roberts certainly bestows extra credibility to the movie, but the acting itself, the likable characters, and a story line that is seldom talked about are enough to elevate this movie to a must see movie. I found myself laughing with the script and rooting for the characters and their realizations. I think that seeing Andy Griffith in a role that's different than a type character makes me appreciate his youthful presence even more. His role as Grandpa Joe was funny, endearing, and thought provoking.

Not a Family Movie

[SnoopyDogswithChliandSlaw · 4/10 · 8 September 2018]

Short: Don't watch this movie with ... you fill in the blank

Just do a search (Ctrl F) in the reviews for family, crude, sleaze, and "dis" - and this will send you off to find something else to watch. Andy - what were you thinking when you accepted this role?

Really not bad

[Bgaynor100 · 8/10 · 22 January 2011]

I watched this movie with my family a few weeks ago. We thought it was just okay for the majority of the movie. The relationship seemed clichéd, but cute. The plot was nothing revolutionary, but it was still moderately enjoyable. I was rooting for the protagonist, David. Andy Griffith was the best grandpa... very funny and enjoyable. Come to think about it, all of the old people were great. Again though, it was nothing extraordinary. Marla Sokoloff was great, especially at the end, which is when my family and I decided that we really did like the movie. If you can last through the majority of the movie, the last 10 minutes rap it up so nicely, it will give you a chill, and maybe make you fall in love with the movie.

We all hated it

[caseyp57-770-942352 · 3/10 · 20 June 2010]

By 'all' I mean me, hubby and our 23 year old son. There were some cute scenes though, like the grandson and his love interest in the Laundromat, and a few good lessons learned. And Andy Griffeth was wonderful as always, as was Doris Roberts. Now onto some of the problems...

I thought the grandfather's character was a rather sleazy role, not worthy of Griffeth. Not only that but it was unbelievable, and perhaps demeaning to older folk. Two octogenarians calling a movie a 'talkie'? My parents used that as a joke, but of course neither they or the older characters in this movie would even have been part of the silent movie era. Just an example. My son also kept looking at the protagonist and saying 'no one likes you!'. ;) He thought Griffeth carried a bad plot though, but I think the premise could have worked, if they could have toned down the sleaze a bit. Sorry, I'm an old fashioned gal. Definitely not Christian values though, despite what some of the characters may learn in the movie. But back to the younger generation. When they make a main character too unlikable, it's hard for us to even want him to 'get the girl'. We really wanted to see if Griffeth 'got his girl' though--you can't make Griffeth unlikable, really--so we skipped a bunch of the movie and tuned in at the end. The general consensus was that we should have done that sooner.

Great story line, very good actors, but poorly executed and edited

[michaelzstuff · 5/10 · 30 August 2009]

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.

Play the Game

[KKrastinDavis · 9/10 · 11 January 2014]

A movie that everyone dating should see and decide whether you play the game with dating, or play the game at work. Loved seeing another side of Andy Griffith (Grandpa). It was nice seeing Doris Roberts (Rose), from Everyone Loves Raymond, banter with Grandpa. It created an nice look of age stereotyping on what is love and how we define what love will look like for each of us. Will we know love when it arrives?

There's definitely something to appeal to all ages watching this movie! Lots of laughter along the way!

I've seen this before too and never wrote the review back then, but I did so this time to make sure that you are encouraged to watch this.

Great date movie to watch and wonder in the end.. ?

Cute - maybe a little awkward at times,

[dianalynn-48568 · 8/10 · 29 June 2020]

Andy was in good form. Very cute confessing his age problems to Edna.

Under-rated Hilarious Comedy

[docm-32304 · 9/10 · 7 October 2021]

My wife and I took a chance on this movie and were not disapponted. I only wish my dad was still around to see this as he would have been killing himself laughing as we were. This is Andy Griffith as you've never seen him and anyone who has an father at this age can relate to much of the antics in this film. Great cast and a laugh all the way through.

Surprised me

[greskeneveland · 8/10 · 29 July 2018]

I watched this on a whim years ago thinking 'this looks cute... And I like Andy Griffith'. While it IS cute it is also quite funny and more involved than I expected. I will admit, as a kid who grew up with Mayberry and Matlock the racy humor tickled me. I watched it again recently to see if it still held up and I still enjoyed it thoroughly. I can't rate it a 9 or a 10 because truthfully it *is* very saccharin at times... But definitely worth the watch if you like silly but heartfelt rom-coms.