Eddie Harrison film-authority.com Jun 24, 2023 3/5

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

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Richard Propes TheIndependentCritic.com Sep 20, 2020 1.0/4.0

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

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Noah Berlatsky The Atlantic Aug 28, 2019

Playing for Keeps recycles tired, flawed lessons about masculinity.

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Micheal Compton Bowling Green Daily News Apr 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.

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Debbie Baldwin Ladue News Nov 7, 2018 3/10

Quite simply, what we have here is a romantic comedy that is neither.

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Sarah Gopaul Digital Journal Oct 22, 2018

Most of the film is predictable, from the reaction of the women to George's relationship with his son to the heartwarming conclusion. Still, it's a relatively entertaining piece of fluff, but equally forgettable after leaving the theatre.

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Debashine Thangevelo Independent Online (South Africa) Mar 28, 2016 2/5

Sadly, a smattering of heart-warming moments fails to redeem what is ultimately a disastrous offside shot at a rom-com.

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Sean Burns Philadelphia Weekly May 3, 2015

Someone maybe should've told this guy if you want to rekindle a romance with a woman, you probably shouldn't start by sleeping with all her friends.

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Victoria Luxford The National (UAE) Oct 18, 2013 2/5

a celluloid own goal.

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Eric D. Snider eFilmCritic.com Jul 28, 2013

No matter what kind of drab, derivative fluff you prefer, this exceptionally toothless comedy has something to offer.

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Sara Maria Vizcarrondo Movies With Butter Mar 18, 2013

All the characters and their motivations are banal at best and half drawn at worst, leading to the question: why didn't this end up on The Hallmark Channel starring TV's hot-tail of the moment?

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Todd Jorgenson Cinemalogue Mar 5, 2013

... a half-hearted comedy about the perils of former professional athletes that unsuccessfully tries to force together elements of domestic melodrama and romantic farce.

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Brian Gibson Vue Weekly (Edmonton, Alberta) Jan 29, 2013

An own-goal shambles of bland characterization, comic shtick, exes-still-in-love clichs and lazy implausibilities, Playing For Keeps plays down to the ugliest American stereotype of soccer-dull to the point of brain-death.

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Ed Whitfield The Ooh Tray Jan 6, 2013

Did Gerard really leave the UK and a guaranteed pundit spot on Match of the Day for an automatous son and callous wife? Playing for Keeps asks difficult questions like these but provides no satisfying answers.

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Derek Malcolm London Evening Standard Jan 4, 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.

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David Aldridge Radio Times Jan 3, 2013 2/5

Even the usually reliable Dennis Quaid flounders as a fellow parent in a film that is at least slickly put together but is ultimately a sheer waste of talent.

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Christopher Tookey Daily Mail (UK) Jan 3, 2013 0/5

In the long, ignoble tradition of naff romcoms starring Butler, this stands alongside The Ugly Truth and The Bounty Hunter as the worst of its kind.

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Jennifer Tate ViewLondon Jan 3, 2013 1/5

Sadly wastes its star-studded cast and has very little to offer in the way of laughs and touching moments.

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Graham Young Birmingham Post Jan 3, 2013 2/5

Even an actor as capable as Dennis Quaid is incapable of wading in to save it.

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Anna Smith Time Out Dec 26, 2012 2/5

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

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