Play the Game: A Movie Review

Play the Game (opens August 28) starring Paul Campbell, Andy Griffith, Doris Roberts, Marla Sokoloff and Liz Sheridan is a sweet trifle about a devoted grandson who tries to help his grandfather fulfill grandma's dying wish that he find another woman to love.

The movie is structured around a pair of December-December and May-May romances as the twenty-eight year old car salesman grandson tries to teach Grandpa dating tricks plucked straight out of his sleazy trade. The opening scenes set in a local bar are a little strained as grandpa does some rather farfetched things like adding Metamucil to his tutor's beer, but it picks up steam from there.

Grandpa Joe (Andy Griffith) repeatedly approaches likely candidates and is shot down in flames until, at the advice of his grandson, he sets his sights a tad lower and picks up Edna, a worldly lady who is good to go. Edna teaches this sheltered widower, who has been faithful to his first and only love, the ways of the world, and it is she, more than grandson, who restores his joie de vive and gets him back in the game.

Meanwhile, Grandson David (Paul Campbell) is having problems of his own. Beautiful Julie (Marla Sokoloff) from his softball game is leading him on a merry chase. He has been deserted by his wing-man Rob (Geoffrey Owens), as Rob's angry wife Carrie (Juliette Jeffers), "cuts off his balls" and snips his wings by informing him that he can't be a married man and bachelor at the same time.

Things are even getting a little tense at work where grandson's fruitless chasing after distant prize Julie is beginning to affect his ability to move the metal. The relationship between the star salesman and previously abandoned son and his reptilian father, (Clint Howard), the aptly named Dick, cools down a few degrees..

Meanwhile, in a mysterious coincidence, David learns that his Julie is the granddaughter of Rose, (Doris Roberts) the beautiful women that Grandpa Joe had given up wooing after being warned off repeatedly by her fist-shaking boyfriend.

And Grandpa Joe has just received devastating news. Edna's granddaughter has taken matters into her own hands after Don Juan Grandpa Joe's sexual prowess has put granny at death's door. Of course, his reputation is made and a path is opened for many new affairs.

Will Grandpa Joe win his true love Rose? Will Grandson David find happiness with Julie? Natch.
Using a formula invented by Shakespeare, it all works out.

Although not Oscar material, this sweet-natured movie is a fine way to spend some quality time in a cool theater during the dog days of summer. Andy Griffith plays the transformation from sad sack to Romeo with classic ease, while Paul Campbell as David pulls off his change from manipulative car salesman to earnest lover with comic brio. Female leads Doris Roberts, Marla Sokoloff and Liz Sheridan all do an excellent job whipping their men into shape.