 David (Paul Campbell), determined to help his lonely, widowed grandfather Joe (Andy Griffith) get back into dating, decides to teach him his “secrets of succeeding” with the opposite sex, while using them to meet Julie (Marla Sokoloff), the woman of his dreams. While David's techniques appear to be off their mark with Julie, they work for Grandpa Joe, as he becomes the “player” of the retirement community. As it turns out, Grandpa Joe teaches David the best way to “Play the Game” of love!
Stories based on real people or true events most often are those compelling movies that have that sense of authenticity. Writer/director Marc Fienberg said the character of Grandpa Joe in “Play the Game” is based on his grandfather! Marc gives me some insight on how it all came about...
 Stan: How where you able to assemble such a talented group of veteran actors for “Play the Game”!
Marc: It was my script! The actors I offered the roles to, haven’t been offered those kinds of parts in quite sometime. Andy (Griffith) told me he took the role for two main reasons, one, he got to have a bedroom scene, and two, he didn’t die at the end of the movie! The theme of “Play the Game” is about living life, a full and passionate life, and celebrating the life of a senior with all of its positive aspects.
Stan: “Play the Game” appealed to me on the level of relating to two generations, the seniors and the younger generation, simultaneously.
Marc: The story is universal; it applies whether you’re 18 or 80. A lot of the story is based on my own grandfather! He started dating again when he was 89 years old and when I saw him going through a lot of the same things that younger people go through, I realized it doesn’t matter how old you are, its still scary, still nerve racking, sometimes upsetting, and rewarding as well. I didn’t really appreciate that until I started to really hangout with grandpa and that was the message I really wanted to bring to the story!
Stan: Those stories are based on your grandfather, how cool is that!
Marc: Most of the stories are his, out of his life, his friends, I started hanging out with them and there are some great stories! For some reason, when the stories are coming from someone in their 80’s, rather than someone in their teens, it’s a lot more refreshing! And not to give anything away, the ending lets everyone know that life is about living and relationships!
Stan: The ending is the perfect twist; I didn’t see it coming! I won’t give it away either, I’ll just urge our readers to go on a date, young or old, and see “Play the Game”, it’s the perfect date movie for couples of any age!
“Play the Game”, starring Paul Campbell, Andy Griffith, Doris Roberts, Liz Sheridan and Marla Sokoloff.
Written and Directed by Marc Fienberg; Rated PG-13 for sexual content and language; Slowhand Cinema Releasing Runtime: 103 minutes. |
