Posted by
Emmett of the Unblinking Eye on Wednesday, September 26, 2007 2:40:27 PM
Okay, I'm trying to get back in the saddle again after a long layoff. Let's see how I do.
If the goal of "The Game Plan" is to generate big box office, it may well be successful -- at least the first weekend. Unfortunately, this is a mind-numbingly bad movie in virtually every respect. It is derivative, manipulative, confusing, poorly directed, poorly acted, and with a rather bizarre view of weather in the Northeast (at least as I know it) that undermines most of the film.
Duane "the Rock" Johnson stars as Joe Kingman, a selfish and self-centered pro football quarterback with a bizarre fascination with Elvis Presley. The night following a wild party at his home -- which, amazingly, is spotlessly clean as soon as he shoos out the last guest -- he receives a visit from his 8 year old daughter (Madison Petty, one of the more grating child actors currently working), whom he has never met, and who is, remarkably, even more selfish and self-centered as he is. The remainder of the movie deals with their efforts do deal with each other's obnoxious foibles, which are numerous.
What particularly grated on me -- and this is simply one of my personal foibles -- is that this film is set in Boston, in January. Now, I've never been to Boston in January (and frankly can't understand why anyone would be in Boston in January), but I'm pretty sure that nobody is running around outside in bright sunshine in short sleeves and light jackets without any evidence of snow.
Of course, the movie is not entirely bad. The juxtaposition between football workouts and ballet workouts was nicely done, and the ballet recital and crowd reaction to it are nicely done. And I did enjoy the signing montage over the credits at the end (or I may have just been glad it was over). But when the best acting in the movie is (arguably) by Kingman's pet bulldog -- who, unlike nearly everyone else, fails to over-act -- not even these worthwhile scenes are enough to save it.
I have no doubt that the movie will reach its intended audience, kids under ten. And they will enjoy it. And their parents, who will be dragged to it, will not want to tear their eyes out half-way through. But they might consider it.