“The only thing Playing for Keeps teaches us is: Guys, forget the bars and nightclubs. Soccer moms are where the action is.” Rene Rodriguez, Miami Herald

“A father-son heart-tugger wrapped around a mushy reconciliation rom-com sprinkled with tinsel of shiny Hollywood supporting stars acting like they’re in another movie entirely.” Neil Pond, American Profile

“A sloppy, poorly focused comedy that wants to be about the relationship between a father and his 9-year old son but ends up being about nearly everything else.” James Berardinelli, ReelViews

“One of those movies that comes ‘straight from the heart’—the heart of the hack screenwriter’s manual that pushes formulaic structure to cover up a lack of compelling characters, genuine emotion or actual humor.” Kyle Smith, New York Post

“There’s a lot of poorly-conceived plot crammed into this film, and it never actually decides what it wants to be, emerging as a disjointed story suffering from severe ADHD.” Kevin Carr, 7M Pictures

“This is modern movie stardom, and it’s depressing: the romantic lead who could also be selling us body spray.” Wesley Morris, Boston Globe

“A modestly affecting reconciliation drama wrapped in a so-so sports movie by way of a misogynistic romantic comedy, Playing for Keeps can’t stop tripping all over itself.” Justin Chang, Variety

“Is it a heartwarming romantic drama? Or a cynical sex and sports comedy? There is no wrong answer, dear ticket buyer.” Mark Jenkins, NPR

“Butler beware: In acting as in soccer, if you keep taking dives, sooner or later you pay the penalty.” Liam Lacey, Globe and Mail