Play the Game is a 2009 romantic comedy film starring Andy Griffith, Paul Campbell, Liz Sheridan, Doris Roberts, and Marla Sokoloff, written and directed by Marc Fienberg. This was Andy Griffith's last film credit; he died on July 3, 2012. The film received attention for containing a sex scene between Sheridan and Griffith.
Play the Game tells the story of a young , David, who teaches his lonely, widowed grandfather how to play the dating game, while playing his best games to win over Julie, the girl of his dreams. But as David's "foolproof" techniques prove to be anything but in his pursuit of Julie, the same techniques quickly transform Grandpa into the Don Juan of the retirement community. Slowly, the teacher becomes the student, and Grandpa must teach David how to win back the love of his life.
Marc Fienberg, the director and producer of the film, was born in Chicago, Illinois on May 31st, 1970. He moved to Santa Monica with his wife, the co-producer, Eva Gordon where they have four kids: Casey, Lilah, Abby, and Ari. Other works of Fienberg include his script of the movie Altitude which he sold and is currently being produced, as well as being the author of his own book, "Dad's Great Advice for Teens."
Play the Game had a theatrical release. In its opening weekend, it grossed $51,197. Play the Game grossed at total of $659,483.
On August 28, 2009, Play the Game was released on DVD by E1 Entertainment.
The review aggregator website Metacritic gave the film 35 out of 100 indicating generally unfavorable reviews.
Dennis Harvey of Variety wrote in his review: "The comedyâÂÂs broad perfs, predictable story beats and pro but characterless packaging have a smallscreen feel." Roger Ebert wrote in his review: "ItâÂÂs The Andy Griffith Show meets Seinfeld in the sack in Play the Game, which shows Andy is not too old to star in a sex comedy, I guess."
The Associated Press in its review via The Hollywood Reporter wrote: "Griffith certainly gives it his all, and itâÂÂs a novel experience listening to him deliver lines like "GrandpaâÂÂs horny and he wants to have fun!" But despite the veteran actorâÂÂs good-humored willingness to have fun, the role comes as a real letdown after his fine work in the recent Waitress. Rachel Saslow of The Washington Post wrote in her review: "Andy's definitely not in Mayberry anymore." Shaula Clark of The Phoenix wrote in her review: "This is the kind of movie you stagger out of in a stunned trance. Actually, it's the kind of movie that must've been conceived and financed in a stunned trance as well."