Playing for Keeps

Name: Playing for Keeps
Genre: Drama, Sport, Comedy, Romance
Released: December 7, 2012
Duration: 105 min
Rating: 27
Cast: Dennis Quaid, Gerard Butler, Jessica Biel

2012

METASCORE

Generally unfavorable reviews based on 26 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 46 Ratings

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5.8

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5.8	User Score Mixed or average reviews based on 46 Ratings

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Playing For Keeps

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Movie Details & Credits

FilmDistrict | Release Date: December 7, 2012 | PG-13

Starring: Dennis Quaid, Gerard Butler, Jessica Biel

Summary: A former professional athlete with a weak past tries to redeem himself by coaching his son's soccer team, only to find himself unable to resist when in scoring position with his players' restless and gorgeous moms.

Director: Gabriele Muccino

Genre(s): Drama, Sport, Comedy, Romance

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 105 min

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Critic Reviews

Liam Lacey

Dec 6, 2012

Though the script takes pains to paint George as a passive boy-man, there's just not enough lovable here and too much of the thoughtless lout. Butler beware: In acting as in soccer, if you keep taking dives, sooner or later you pay the penalty. Read full review

Betsy Sharkey

Dec 6, 2012

At some point you hope the actor (Butler) will find a movie that will give him the right material to make hearts truly beat faster. Until then, it appears we'll have to settle for films with more flaws than his characters. Read full review

A.O. Scott

Dec 6, 2012

Sometimes the movie swerves toward farce, sometimes into the zone of smiley family comedy and at other times into full-on weepiness. None of it is especially credible or engaging. Read full review

Carrie Rickey

Dec 6, 2012

This saga of a former soccer star coaching his son's team in order to worm his way back into the heart of his ex-wife aims to be warm and funny. Alas, it is mechanical and exhausting, like a windup toy of a monkey crashing together cymbals for 106 minutes while incrementally winding down. Read full review

Mark Jenkins

Dec 7, 2012

Style can be a risky thing in a movie like this, which aspires above all to inoffensiveness. Originally titled "Playing the Field," which was deemed too racy, this rom-com would have been more aptly renamed "Running Out the Clock." Read full review

Rene Rodriguez

Dec 6, 2012

There isn't a moment in the entire picture in which you will recognize an element of your own life. Read full review

Peter Travers

Dec 10, 2012

Just stay away. It's awful. Read full review

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User Reviews

margezoto

Dec 7, 2012

This is a heartwarming film showing the main character who from a life of stardom as a popular soccer player bedomews a has been. He still has name recognition, but he is down and out. He reconnects with his 11 year old son after 7 yearsof absence and unwittingly becomes a coach for hisThis is a heartwarming film showing the main character who from a life of stardom as a popular soccer player bedomews a has been. He still has name recognition, but he is down and out. He reconnects with his 11 year old son after 7 yearsof absence and unwittingly becomes a coach for his son's team.

I am sorry that the critics gave it a poor review. It is worth seeing.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

Manmadepie4ste

Jul 1, 2020

I understand why people don't love this film but i can't help but enjoy it one of the only films i can come back to time and time again

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

hfairlamb

Jul 12, 2018

This film has problems, but it also has some strengths. Unfortunately, the main problem is the tension between the family-restoration -- which has some seriously poignant moments -- and the desperate housewives thread -- which is farcical. Oil and water. But Butler wears the farce lightly,This film has problems, but it also has some strengths. Unfortunately, the main problem is the tension between the family-restoration -- which has some seriously poignant moments -- and the desperate housewives thread -- which is farcical. Oil and water. But Butler wears the farce lightly, and Biel puts real heart into the family/marriage restoration. Their best moments are an amazingly delicate dance. If you can appreciate those moments, it is an effective film, although not as funny as it wants to be.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

python2000

Aug 28, 2013

A very cheesy romance movie with King Leonidas as the main who's name I have already forgotten. Every cast member acts terribly and not a one point in the movie was I even the slightest bit interesting. Playing For Keeps is a boring soppy romance which women and men will hate.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

GreatMartin

Dec 7, 2012

Image This reviewer is a sucker for romantic comedies and even more of a pushover for

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

hoops2448

Apr 22, 2013

Football films and cinema have never really meshed, they just don't translate well. To combat this Playing for Keeps keeps to the sidelines, looking at the supporters and the kids inspired by the game. However judging by the film I just watched, it's surprising that any part of the sport isFootball films and cinema have never really meshed, they just don't translate well. To combat this Playing for Keeps keeps to the sidelines, looking at the supporters and the kids inspired by the game. However judging by the film I just watched, it's surprising that any part of the sport is inspiring, especially for the kids.
George (Gerard Butler plays a screw up ex footballer who is perpetually feeling sorry for himself. When he is forced to coach his sons team by his ex wife Stacie (jessica Biel) he is given an opportunity to prove himself the man he thinks he is, not the child everyone else does.
Now I know the word reprehensible is a little extreme but this film really is. I mean it doesn't compare to the horror of Die Hard 5 but Playing for Keeps is dreadful none the less. The script is awful, the characters interact in the most unnatural ways, the women behave like neanderthals for comedy's sake and rarely eliciting more than a chuckle. Bulter is a likable idiot but he only really entertains when playing the game and not talking. Dennis Quaid pops in and out of the film to annoy the viewer with his over the top business man father, a slimebag who is more alien than human. Biel is actually surprisingly good for once in her career but she can't stop the ship from sinking. In fact there are few acting problems, except for Quaid and Uma Thurman, whose shrillness makes her scenes unbearable. The problem is that the film has no direction,a message it never convincingly delivers and because of this, Playing for Keeps is nowhere near the inspirational story of a mans comeback into something so unbearably crass. Overall the film gives you characters you don't like, sets a tone that makes you think Farelly brothers instead of touching family drama and fails to convey why the game is so important to George and the kids that he coaches and fails to inspire.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

CountryPetInn

Dec 7, 2012

OMG if you loved GIGLI you might like this! (Vomits in the corner)...BOO! More crap from Hollywood. The money would have been better spent on underprivileged kids soccer camp.

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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