The Game Plan

Rating: PG

Starring: Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Kyra Sedgwick, Roselyn Sanchez, Morris Chestnut, Madison Pettis, Gordon Clapp

Director: Andy Fickman

Distributor: Walt Disney Pictures

Genre: Comedy, Kids, Family

Violence: Minor

Profanity: None

Sex/Nudity: Minor

Recommended for: Dads and Daughters

Age Groups: 8+

Release Date: September 28, 2007

Run Time: 1 hr. 50 min.

If you are looking for a moving dad and daughter story, The Game Plan is for you. The movie is about quarterback Joe Kingman (Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson) who is so full of himself that he has no time for any relationships in his life. His apartment is full of pictures and football memorabilia focused only on him and his accomplishments. He declares in an interview, “Football is my life. Beyond that, nothing else matters.”

Joe’s life is thrown into chaos when his eight-year-old daughter Peyton Kelly (Madison Pettis) shows up. She claims to be the child he never knew he had. A birth certificate with Joe’s name on it convinces him that Peyton is really his daughter.

As the story unfolds, it brings home a lesson of love and friendship. Dads are led to realize that there’s more to life than their favorite game or their career. Life is about building loving relationships.

The movie goes on to show how the dad finally changes his focus from his football and career to admit, “There’s nothing I love more than my daughter.” There’s no question about where the movie is headed, but the trip Disney takes you on is well worth the price of admission.

Some things you may want to discuss with children after the movie include the lies and deception used by some of the characters. The film has almost no nudity. Some women’s cleavage is seen, but mostly in the background. The language in the entire movie is inoffensive; though the term, “pain in the butt” occurs once or twice.

Dads and sons would enjoy the football related theme. However, the few rough and tough football scenes may not be enough to keep little boys riveted. This movie is mainly for dads and their daughters. Dads beware, you may need to take plenty of tissues, and be ready to find a way to say, “I love you,” to your kids.