  Playing for Keeps also known as “Playing the Field”MPAA Rating:
 for some sexual situations, language and a brief intense image._____
Moviemaking Quality:
Primary Audience:
Adults
Genre:
Romance Comedy Sports Drama
Length:
1 hr. 45 min.
Year of Release:
2012
USA Release:
December 7, 2012 (wide—2,700+ theaters)
 
Relevant Issues
troubled father trying to make up for lost time with his son
TRUE LOVE—What is true love and how do you know when you have found it? Answer
“This holiday season, what do you really want?” Producer’s synopsis: “A troubled father trying to make up for lost time by coaching his son's team - but who finds himself in hot water after some of the local mothers take a little too much of a shine to him (and he to them).”
volunteer reviewer needed for this movie—Request this assignment See list of Relevant Issues—questions-and-answers.   Movie Critics
…A modestly affecting reconciliation drama wrapped in a so-so sports movie by way of a misogynistic romantic comedy, “Playing for Keeps” can’t stop tripping all over itself. Returning to Hollywood filmmaking after his 2010 Italian laffer “Kiss Me Again,” helmer Gabriele Muccino doesn’t go as spectacularly astray as he did in 2008’s “Seven Pounds,” but this cluttered tale of a past-his-prime soccer player trying to win back his ex-wife and son still hits too many false notes to realize its core emotional potential.… …an all-over-the-place script (by Robbie Fox)… uneven direction. Sometimes the movie swerves toward farce, sometimes into the zone of smiley family comedy and at other times into full-on weepiness. None of it is especially credible or engaging. …each of the actresses does her best with her one allotted character trait. But Playing for Keeps takes place in a tonally incoherent universe, constantly shifting between rom-com farce and mawkish family drama. The central question of the movie becomes: Can George triumph over his inability to stop hot women from throwing themselves at him? [C-] …a film that’s pretty much from the assembly line. [2/4] …Aiming to be warm and funny, “Playing for Keeps” misses mark… If Gerard Butler exudes rakish charm and Jessica Biel a charming flintiness, then why is Playing for Keeps so utterly charmless?… Gerard Butler’s leading man qualities can’t even save this contrived waste of time.… [1/4] …Playing for Keeps ends nicely. But getting there—well, it’s not all fun and games. Watching this all-too-predictable romantic comedy/drama, my overwhelming thought was this: Given all the great filmmakers and film projects that can’t find funding, how did this effort secure its reported $35 million for production?… Sorry, no other viewer comments received yet. If you have seen this movie and would like to share your observations and insights with others to be posted here, please contact us! |
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