Playing for Keeps

Play trailer

Playing for Keeps

PG-13

Released Dec 7, 2012

1h 45m

Romance

Comedy

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

6%

Tomatometer

89 Reviews

41%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

Long past his soccer-playing heyday, George Dryer (Gerard Butler) is struggling financially and failing in his attempt to reconcile with his ex-wife, Stacie (Jessica Biel), and young son, Lewis (Noah Lomax). When Lewis' soccer team has an opening for a coach, George steps up. Not only is George a big hit with the children, but he also attracts lots of attention from some of the players' single and unhappily married mothers (Uma Thurman, Catherine Zeta-Jones).

Watch on Fandango at Home

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

Witless, unfocused, and arguably misogynistic, Playing for Keeps is a dispiriting, lowest-common-denominator Hollywood rom-com.

Read Critics Reviews

Noah Berlatsky

The Atlantic

Playing for Keeps recycles tired, flawed lessons about masculinity.

Aug 28, 2019

Full Review

Derek Malcolm

London Evening Standard

The comedy has its moments but they are few, and a high-powered cast, which also includes Judy Greer and Dennis Quaid, give mostly low-powered performances.

Rated: 2/5

Jan 4, 2013

Full Review

Anna Smith

Time Out

Everyone involved deserves a script with more wit, originality and sense of purpose.

Rated: 2/5

Dec 26, 2012

Full Review

Eddie Harrison

film-authority.com

…a flawed movie that’s still an agreeable enough watch for those who dig Butler’s brand of charm…

Rated: 3/5

Jun 24, 2023

Full Review

Richard Propes

TheIndependentCritic.com

Biel, despite being left with insipid material and dialogue, at least tries to keep things afloat.

Rated: 1.0/4.0

Sep 20, 2020

Full Review

Micheal Compton

Bowling Green Daily News

Despite a cast full of recognizable -- and in some cases talented -- people, this is a predictable piece of romantic comedy fluff that just goes through the motions. There is not one moment that you can't see coming well in advance.

Apr 11, 2019

Full Review

Read all reviews

thiago s

Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

08/19/25

Full Review

eliza H

Sinks to new lows - appalling waste of film reel. And as you might say: there's two hours I won't get back.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

05/11/25

Full Review

Facetiouslyinsolent

This movie was not made to win awards, it's a Rom-com. Does it check all the boxes for the reason it was made, absolutely. I'm a movie lover and think the so called "Critics" are pathetic. They give the StepUp movie a 45% and this movie a 5%. Do yourself a favor and give the movie your own review by watching it and deciding for yourself. I'm a Gerard Butler fan and think his performance in this was believable. It's a realistic story for the most part and if you want to have fun with a (Chick-flick) give this one a try.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/28/23

Full Review

Huid H

Boring.. Whith such talented actors you'd expect more. After five minutes you know the plot

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

02/26/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Not the best story, but it was entertaining. I’ve been wanting to watch it again

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

04/21/21

Full Review

Audience Member

Playing for keeps has a great cast and a few laughs but overall it’s a predictable by the book romantic comedy. It’s a little over long and except for a few jokes the dialogue just isn’t there. The story doesn’t really go anywhere. Performances are pretty much phoned in. There’s a lot of talent behind the camera but it’s a waste it on something so forgettable.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/13/21

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Gabriele Muccino

Director

Gerard Butler

George

Jessica Biel

Stacie

Uma Thurman

Patti

Catherine Zeta-Jones

Denise

Dennis Quaid

Carl

Crazy, Stupid, Love.

80%

78%

Crazy, Stupid, Love.

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Crazy, Stupid, Love.

Just Go With It

19%

59%

Just Go With It

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Just Go With It

Larry Crowne

35%

41%

Larry Crowne

Watchlist

Love Hurts

29%

32%

Love Hurts

Watchlist

Much Ado About Nothing

87%

77%

Much Ado About Nothing

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Critics Consensus: Playing for Keeps Misses the Mark

Parental Guidance: Playing for Keeps and The Dark Knight Rises

Red Carpet Roundup with Gerard Butler, Jessica Biel, and More

View more photos

Synopsis

Long past his soccer-playing heyday, George Dryer (Gerard Butler) is struggling financially and failing in his attempt to reconcile with his ex-wife, Stacie (Jessica Biel), and young son, Lewis (Noah Lomax). When Lewis' soccer team has an opening for a coach, George steps up. Not only is George a big hit with the children, but he also attracts lots of attention from some of the players' single and unhappily married mothers (Uma Thurman, Catherine Zeta-Jones).

Director: Gabriele Muccino
Producer: Jonathan Mostow, Kevin Misher, Gerard Butler, Alan Siegel, Heidi Jo Markel, John Thompson
Screenwriter: Robbie Fox
Distributor: FilmDistrict
Production Co: Millenium Media Group, Eclectic Pictures, Nu Image, York Square Productions, Misher Films, Gerard Butler Alan Siegel Entertainment
Rating: PG-13 (Language|A Brief Intense Image|Some Sexual Situations)
Genre: Romance, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 7, 2012, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 5, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $13.1M
Runtime: 1h 45m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital

Most Popular at Home Now