GLOBAL — In the romantic comedy Playing for Keeps, George (Gerard Butler) is a retired soccer player, has a nine-year-old son Lewis (Noah Lomax), no job and an ex-wife, Stacie (Jessica Biel), who is about to marry her well-to-do boyfriend of three years. Yes, I summed it up in one sentence. But don’t let that scare you away. Besides everyone in the film looking aged and Jessica Biel who’s, um, a bit matronly – the film is kind of funny.
I thought this film would be a tear-jerker, surprisingly, it was more funny than sad (thankfully). I was excited to see Jessica Biel in her first film since becoming Mrs. Timberlake, but the real scene stealer was Butler as a former philanderer who seems to be a magnet for all the divorcée moms (some married too) of the soccer team he’s been convinced to coach. It’s a recipe for disaster, especially if there’s any chance of George winning the heart of his ex Stacie.
What I liked most about this film is the chemistry between George and Lewis. You can’t help but route for a reunion, not for George and Stacie, but for George and Lewis. The relationship starts off fragile but grows stronger. We witness how the bond of a father and son can help heal the relationship of the parents. Sure, it’s a fairytale we could only dream of, divorced parents rekindling their lost love, but it’s just the kind of thing that warms the heart during the holidays. It did mine!
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kq6OwEY8bcM[/youtube]
Jessica Biel and Gerard Butler’s red carpet looks at the New York premiere.
Chicly Yours,
The Chic Spy
(Image courtesy of Film District)
