GAME PLAN: THE MOVIE
GAME PLAN (2007)
This film stars Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson as a professional football player. He’s the quarterback and quite the local celebrity, as well as having “copped” some front page spreads in sports magazines, etc. He got some loot stashed and plans to earn more. He has a nice pad with lots of gadgets. Life is good!
There were scenes purporting to describe actual game conditions. What they seem to indicate to me is that The Rock is not a natural football player, and, get this! not even a good athlete! Now, the film history is filled with actors playing athletes, such as boxers, baseball players, and football players. Ronald Reagan, the late President, is famed for his portrayal of “The Gipper.” Whatever Dwayne Johnson may lack as an athlete, he is tall and has a suspiciously well-developed upper torso. Further, in the “game” scenes, he appears to be very vertical and lean. You don’t sense muascular strength. When he runs, he does so like he is fearful of getting “hit” by a linebacker, safety or such. I witnessed his “jumping” another player in a sort of “traipsing leap.” If The Rock can’t pull off a convincing run, then it is time for a “body double.” The football gear makes a “body double” easier than for most other kinds of characters. There are a boatload of athletes that would enjoy the opportunity. Why not use them?
Or, it may be conjectured, given the targeted audience and their own limited athletic skills, there may have been no consideration of perception from this group that warranted undue attention to actual demonstration of athleticism.
The moviegoer soon grasps that The Rock is a fan of the late Elvis “The Pelvis” Presley. Well, so what? Even the present leader of North Korea is an Elvis Presley impersonator, part time. [Parenthetically, just how bad can he be, if he's an Elvis fan? Sounds like "W" has gone over the deep end on this subject.]
There are several likenesses of Elvis in The Rock’s pad. Also, simulated Elvis performances by The Rock. Well, you get the picture.
There are three members of his team that he is likely to “hang” with. The moviegoer is treated to some “pros at play” scenes. It’s all foreplay, if you’ll excuse the term. Other than free food & drink, one wonders why else they gather. There are some hijinx displayed of the “tricks on teammate” sort to “liven up” the doings. Really, they are all just crazy athletes working out their non-gameday energies.
Especially utilized as a source of humor is the mouth-open display of partially devoured foods. This is apparently aimed at the adolescent crowd, who seem to be the filmmaker’s primary target. Boys who worship professional athletes will find this film has something for them. Myself, I don’t dig this humor.
Into this self-centered world of the celebrity athlete marches a stately little girl; quote the girl: You’re my Dad!
This appearance shakes the preamble’s code of the athlete to its roots. [Please note: there is one pro who is the designated "mature guy."]
This little girl is very cute, endearing, winning, and not altogether honest “doctor of change,” who will cause a Dwayne “makeover.” This film is not the first one that introduces a cute kid into the life of an adult for the betterment of all. But the little girl who played this role was quite good; hence, she, more than a little, got this movie beyond the “throwaway pass” mode. Further, she was indispensable as a foil to The Rock.
The Rock seemed to play the self-centered athlete with considerable relish. His enthusiasm, as it were, proved infectious, and this film was a fairly decent satire of this sort of personalty.
A sort of mythic Mom, or Mom figure, lurked as a presence, heard, felt but only fleetingly glimpsed. There was discussion of the relationship here and there, but the truth of things not certainly grasped.
It was an interesting film to share with others. I noticed adolescent types laughing and cavorting, while adult women could be seen sniffling. Actually, it was the sort of boldfaced tale with heart on sleeve that may affect more quickly than better plotted stories. Again, the interaction of The Rock and the little girl was crucial. Although not always well executed, their numerous scenes provided enough to put this movie over. And it wrapped up nicely, leaving the moviegoer with the sense that “all’s well that ends well.” The Rock, as a man, may, indeed, become a rock.
This is passable entertainment, especially when not approached with great expectations. The little girl was good enough that, along with The Rock’s infectious conceit, these two actors may keep this film percolating for years.
