With absolutely no marketing, “Play the Game,” written and directed by Marc Fienberg, quietly slipped into a few Los Angelestheaters this weekend. Truly an oddball comedy, “Play the Game” is part romantic comedy and part bawdy romp and the pleasure in watching this movie is seeing Andy Griffith ‘do his thing.’ Although be aware that some of the humor can be uncomfortably blunt. David (Paul Campbell) sees himself as a ‘player’ when it comes to women and he wants to share his expertise with his widowed granddad, Joe (Griffith), hoping to give Joe a new social life. When Joe discovers the miracle of Viagra, he becomes the Don Juan of his retirement community. Meanwhile David has met someone who might fit his grandfather’s definition of love, but Julie (Marla Sokoloff) is not falling for his charms or his schemes.
“Play the Game” is definitely Andy Griffith’s movie and it’s a pleasure watching him ham it up as a senior looking for love in all the wrong places. Campbell and Sokoloff are effective as the youthful couple while the rest of the ensemble cast has more fun with the slapstick, especially Liz Sheridan (who played Seinfeld’s mother) who introduces Joe to Viagra. “Play the Game” is a bit naughty and plenty sweet and you should catch it soon before it disappears. 4/19/09
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