Andy Griffith from the beloved television show ‘Andy of Mayberry’ stars in this unique film that centers on what it is like to pursue a girlfriend while living in a retirement home. Griffith plays Grandpa Joe whose grandson Dave, (Paul Campbell) is a bona fide ladies man who helps grandpa with techniques to court the gal of his dreams.

Liz Sheridan from ‘The Jerry Seinfeld Show’ plays Edna, a resident at the home and Joe’s eventual girlfriend. Rose, Doris Roberts, from ‘Everybody Loves Raymond’ is another gal of Joe’s pursuits. Dave's eventual girlfriend, Julie is played by Marla Sokoloff of the TV show ‘The Practice.’ Julie is also Rose’s granddaughter.

The story begins in the city of Chicago where we are introduced to Dave’s slick world of being an excellent car salesman. Dave’s dad is played by Mervin Howard and he owns the dealership and is ever so difficult to work for. Let’s just say that one can clearly see why Dave prefers to hang out with his grandpa instead of his dad.

Writer and director Marc Fienberg based the character, Grandpa Joe on his own grandpa who was widowed after 56 years of marriage and very lonely. Joe has also lost the love of his life and is forlorn and sad most of the time. Dave’s solution is to get his grandpa back in the game and start dating again.

Dave prides himself in his methods for chatting with the ladies and he takes grandpa out to his favorite hot spot to show him the ropes. His first lesson is that of the approach and he shows Joe how that works. Next, the scene is back at the retirement home where grandpa is reenacting his lessons with the ladies. These scenes are very comical and Andy Griffith is delightful to watch.

Joe ends up with a friendly lady at the home named Edna and they decide to spend some time together. One such evening results in a bedroom scene in which Edna seduces Joe by the help of a commonly known aid called Viagra. Edna’s also wearing a floor length red hot nightgown and is she ever ‘ready to rumble.’ Poor Joe, you can’t help but feel sorry for him as he’s shocked and delighted at the same time. Eventually, he decides to follow through with his plan and it does involve bedroom time with Edna.

In my interview with Marc Friedberg, he told me that Griffith wanted to be in the film after he’d read the script because so many of the scripts he receives are much smaller parts and he usually dies in the end.  For example, in the film, “Waitress” he plays another character named Joe and he dies. Griffith’s wife in real life is in her 50s and the couple still enjoys a full and active life.

A parallel storyline that plays out is the dating scenes between Dave and Julie. Julie plays hard-to-get and doesn’t fall for any of Dave’s tricks. She’s actually a big puzzle for Dave as she doesn’t fit into any of the molds he’s had all these years. He soon finds himself falling madly in love with her.

Chicagoans will notice the references to Hyde Park and Rodgers Park and of course the Chicago Bears football jersey that Julie wears during a touch football game. The city looks fabulous as many great shots can be seen.

I found this film to be refreshing, heartwarming, comical and touching. I especially loved the scenes between Dave and his grandpa. Dave spends time with grandpa and these scenes have important messages. Julie and Grandma Rose also spend time together. Our elderly are too often forgotten in the film industry and if they are seen onscreen, Andy Griffith is right, the film usually centers on some illness or huge emotional problem. Elderly folks still need companionship and if they’d like to have sex to be a part of that relationship, then fine, go for it!

Play the Game is a fun-loving film about relationships both with the elderly and young adults.

Sarah Adamson © August 2009