Movie review: Play the Game

by John P. Meyer

David Mitchell (Paul Campbell) is a good-looking, personable, twenty-something car salesman whose approach to dating is the same as his strategy for selling cars: It's all about gamesmanship. Thus the title of Marc Fienberg's sweet, unpretentious little romcom (with a senior sex subplot twist), Play the Game.

David selects his mark, gets a read on her vulnerabilities, and employs all manner of misdirection and mind-frack to get the job done (i.e., selling the car or seducing the lady). His conquests (on both fronts) are a continual source of amazement and amusement to his married friend and co-worker, Rob (Geoffrey Owens), who accompanies David to the singles bar just for the vicarious thrill factor.

Rob's wife Carrie (Juliette Jeffers) works at the retirement home where David's grandfather Joe (Andy Griffith, feisty as ever) resides. It's Grandpa Joe who lately stands to benefit from David's smooth moves, thanks to a promise that both grandfather and grandson made to Joe's wife, deceased for three years: They promised that Joe would date again.

Which is likely to prove a tall order, because: a) Pickings are slim in the post-70-ish age category, if one sets the bar above the basics (ambulatory and clear-headed); and b) Joe has a certain virility-related condition which might prove to be a deal-killer when it comes to the gray-haired damsels. David nevertheless sets out to help.

In the midst of his coaching of dear old Granddad, David makes the acquaintance of a pretty, perky, seemingly disinterested (and therefore irresistible) lass named Julie (Marla Sokoloff). He tries all his usual ploys on Julie, only to find them deflected deftly back on him. The player appears to be in danger of being played; even the old "I ran out of gas" trick backfires on him ... although it does lead to a satisfying short-term payoff.

What's most enjoyable about Play the Game are on-the-mark performances from its lead actors. Campbell (who played a small but regular part on Battlestar Gallactica -- Syfy version) is confident and likable as a ladies man who knows less about love than he thinks; and Griffith, though visibly long in the tooth (and bent in the back), still knows how to deliver a line and raise a calculated eyebrow (or two) -- though I wish to God he would have left his clothes on. Sokoloff is indeed irresistible while playing semi-hard to get, and does a good job of camouflaging the big reveal -- which nevertheless can come as no surprise to anyone who hasn't just fallen off the fresh produce pushcart.

Notable in supporting roles are Clint Howard (as David's car lot manager dad); Doris Roberts (as the unattainable object of Joe's affections, Rose); and especially Liz Sheridan as septuagenarian seductress Edna, who teaches Joe a thing or two about modern pharmaceuticals. (And stuff.)

What's unfortunate about the film mostly has to do with it being WAY too long. At 105 minutes, it seems to last forever. Even though there are plenty of laugh-out-loud (or at least snicker knowingly) episodes, they are separated by loads of narrative padding that might have been better dispensed with. Plus, just when you think it's over, the fat lady simply refuses to sing.

Oh, and as for old people sex? Best left to the imagination, IMHO.