Common Sense Media Review
By S. Jhoanna Robledo
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Ho-hum sports romcom lacks both laughs and chemistry.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Playing for Keeps
What's the Story?
George (Gerard Butler) was once an international soccer star, but in PLAYING FOR KEEPS, he's barely getting by and is relocating to suburban Virginia to rekindle his relationship with his 9-year-old son, Lewis (Noah Lomax). George ends up coaching Lewis' soccer team and quickly catches the eye of a few romance-starved soccer moms (Uma Thurman, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Judy Greer). They pursue him aggressively (and he doesn't always fight them off), but he soon realizes that he still has feelings for Lewis's mom, Stacie (Jessica Biel) -- but she's moved on with her life and is about to get married.
Is It Any Good?
A movie should have personality; otherwise, why call it entertainment? Some of the worst ones can at least find comfort in having a point of view. But to be, well, "meh?" Why bother? Playing for Keeps is about as formulaic as a romantic comedy can get, and goes light on both the laughs and spark. Thurman, Zeta-Jones, and Greer give it the old college try, but the story doesn't require them to do much more than look Butler up and down and then wait for a chance to pounce. Biel has a little bit more to work with, and her efforts are deeply felt, but it's almost a shame because it creates dissonance from the rest of this ho-hum film.
There's no momentum, no surprises, no energy. It's not awful, but it's not terribly good, either. It's just there. Since there's little here that's refreshing -- aside from Lomax's work as Lewis -- it's not hard to guess how things will turn out between George and Stacie. But it's not easy to see why we should sit in the audience, either.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Playing for Keeps portrays George as a dad. What do you think of his parenting? What does he learn during the film? How does he compare to other movie/TV dads?
How does the movie depict the women in George's life? Is it fair/accurate? What about the men?
Why do you think George and Stacie originally broke up? Should they get back together?
Movie Details
- In theaters : December 7, 2012
- On DVD or streaming : March 5, 2013
- Cast : Catherine Zeta-Jones , Gerard Butler , Jessica Biel
- Director : Gabriele Muccino
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : FilmDistrict
- Genre : Comedy
- Run time : 106 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : some sexual situations, language and a brief intense image
- Last updated : August 14, 2021
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