The Game Plan (2007); family comedy film review

Poster artwork for the family comedy film The Game Plan.

Musclehead Turns Marshmallow by Linh

Former wrestling champion Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson shows he can be soft as a marshmallow on the inside while maintaining his tough exterior with his latest film The Game Plan.

In typical Disney style, The Game Plan consists of the usual formula of children, animals, frazzled adults, and a lesson or two to be learned. There's even American Football, ballet plus shameless product placement and advertising as part of the script.

Dwayne Johnson stars as the self-absorbed, popular and charming quarterback for the Boston Rebels, Joe Kingman, whose well-structured life is thrown off balance when he meets the eight year old daughter he never knew he had. His daughter, Peyton, informs him that her mother is unreachable as she's in Sudan saving lives, so it's his responsibility to care for his daughter. Joe Kingman relunctantly agrees, as he couldn't resist the big, brown innocent eyes of his little girl. Yet she is not as sweet and innocent as he thinks.

Dwayne Johnson is unexpectedly very funny and entertaining to watch as the bachelor learning to be a father. Dwayne Johnson does very well in playing a role against type, a huge change from his other heroic tough guy roles. Joe Kingman is a devoted Elvis Presley fan and fills his life with Elvis memorabilia and actions, which gives Dwayne Johnson the opportunity to sing a stirring rendition of Are You Lonesome Tonight while playing his Elvis Presley labelled guitar.

Madison Pettis is a natural talent as the observant and patient Peyton who sees her father as a challenge but accepts his character flaws with a mature attitude compared to Joe Kingman's childishness and "It's all about me, it's mine" personality. Madison Pettis delivers a very believable performance as the young girl searching for a father figure in Joe Kingman and her ballet scenes with Joe are inspiring.

Kyra Sedgwick is delightfully pushy yet well-meaning as Stella Peck, Joe's very demanding and money-hungry agent whose attempts to secure lucrative sponsorship deals for Joe Kingman are placed in doubt as Joe commits to his Daddy duties. Kyra Sedgwick plays it too straight-faced and serious as she tries to babysit Peyton, but ends up hiring a nanny.

Roselyn Sanchez plays Peyton's ballet teacher, Monique Vasquez whose professionalism and skills at ballet equal Joe Kingman's football playing abilities. Yet the two clash on their first meeting, until she recruits Joe as an integral part of her ballet production. Roselyn Sanchez is dainty and glamourous in her ballet attire, who also provides the strong-willed female mentor Peyton seeks, as a teacher and friend.

The Game Plan is a reminder of the importance of family and learning to balance work with family commitments. A thoroughly enjoyable and satisfying two hours of family comedy, much better than other similar Disney films.

FATHER FIGURE: Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson as Joe Kingman and Madison Pettis as Peyton in a scene from 'The Game Plan'.

Image: Ron Philips/Disney Enterprises.

Director: Andy Fickman

Writers: Kathryn Price (screenplay), Nichole Millard (screenplay)

Cast: Dwayne Johnson, Madison Pettis, Kyra Sedgwick, Roselyn Sanchez, Morris Chestnut, Hayes MacArthur, Brian J. White, Paige Turco, Jamal Duff

Producers: Mark Ciardi, Gordon Gray

Cinematographer: Greg Gardiner

Original Music Composer: Nathan Wang

Film Editor: Michael Jablow

Running Time: 1 hour and 50 minutes