Rotten Tomatoes
Cancel Movies Tv shows RT App News Showtimes

Playing for Keeps

Play trailer Poster for Playing for Keeps PG-13 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

Where to Watch

Playing for Keeps

Playing for Keeps

What to Know

Critics Consensus

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

Read Critics Reviews

Critics Reviews

View More
Noah Berlatsky The Atlantic 08/28/2019
Playing for Keeps recycles tired, flawed lessons about masculinity. Go to Full Review Derek Malcolm London Evening Standard 01/04/2013
2/5
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. Go to Full Review Anna Smith Time Out 12/26/2012
2/5
Everyone involved deserves a script with more wit, originality and sense of purpose. Go to Full Review Eddie Harrison film-authority.com 06/24/2023
3/5
…a flawed movie that’s still an agreeable enough watch for those who dig Butler’s brand of charm… Go to Full Review Richard Propes TheIndependentCritic.com 09/20/2020
1.0/4.0
Biel, despite being left with insipid material and dialogue, at least tries to keep things afloat. Go to Full Review Micheal Compton Bowling Green Daily News 04/11/2019
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. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View More
thiago s @Thiagostone Aug 19 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 See more eliza H May 11 Sinks to new lows - appalling waste of film reel. And as you might say: there's two hours I won't get back. See more Lexicomane 11/21/2023 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. See more Huid H 02/26/2023 Boring.. Whith such talented actors you'd expect more. After five minutes you know the plot See more 04/21/2021 Not the best story, but it was entertaining. I’ve been wanting to watch it again See more 02/11/2021 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. See more Read all reviews
Playing for Keeps

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW

Cast & Crew

View All

Gabriele Muccino

Director

Gerard Butler

George

Jessica Biel

Stacie

Uma Thurman

Patti

Catherine Zeta-Jones

Denise

Dennis Quaid

Carl

More Like This

View All
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
View All

Playing for Keeps

View more photos

Movie Info

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