VDT VIEW

By Adann-Kennn Alexxandar
VDT View

“Play the Game” (Romantic Comedy); Starring: Andy Griffith, Paul Campbell, Doris Roberts, Marla Sokoloff and Liz Sheridan; Director: Marc Fienberg; Rated: PG-13 (Strong language and sexual innuendo)
Movie Review: Years ago, Andy Griffith made audiences laugh as the young small-town sheriff of the folksy Mayberry on “The Andy Griffith Show.” Later, he dazzled us as the Southern, gentlemanly attorney Ben “Matlock.” Now, he is Grandpa Joe, a cantankerous widower who provides plenty of laughs. Joe’s only joy in life is visits from his grandson, David Mitchell (Campbell). Joe and David have something in common. They both desire the companionship of a lady. David is a playboy at heart but finds the one woman who tames him, Julie Larabee (Sokoloff), except he is unsure she likes him. Meanwhile, Grandpa Joe just wants to find that one woman that can be his companion as his wife was. Joe meets Rose Sherman (Roberts), Julie’s grandmother, and the adventure starts. The lovers find themselves playing the game, the game of love.
A key reason to watch this piece is Griffith. He still has chops for comedy. The cast is a group of players, and each is trying to find the perfect mate. They do so by toying with each other’s affections. The fun of this film is figuring out who is playing whom in the game of love.
Grade: B (See the “Game.”)