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Playing for Keeps
An ambitious trio of inner-city high school grads tries to hit the big time by turning a run-down country hotel into a rock & roll resort with around-the-clock music and live entertainment. Standing in their way are fearful townsfolk, unscrupulous businessmen and the tax collector, all threatening to bring the curtain down on the teens' aspirations. But this is one threesome who refuses to give up on their lifelong goal without a fight — and a song.
| Release : | 1986 |
| Rating : | 4.4 |
| Studio : | Miramax, Playing for Keeps Inc., |
| Crew : | Art Direction, Production Design, |
| Cast : | Leon W. Grant Mary B. Ward Marisa Tomei Jimmy Baio Harold Gould |
| Genre : | Comedy |
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Reviews
Too much of everything
How sad is this?
Good concept, poorly executed.
This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.
Come on its great 80s fun. Teens dressing up as boy-scouts to earn money, convincing friends to help with a dream. The smartest little sister on the screen I just cant help but Love the game they play. Try it if your in the mood for something silly and fun. Hey,Its a Weinstein (think Scream, Emma, Addicted to Love and Kate and Leopold) film one of the firsts. You get to see young actors trying to make their way (Marisa Tomei is in it way before she got famous or won an award.) and some older ones (Harold Gould) helping them out. Now I certainly hope that is enough of a reason to try this film. Hey if nothing else, you get watch Eighties Hair and listen to some good eighties music.
...in September 1986 when I was 13 and caught it on opening weekend - the only weekend it appeared at a theater - because it sucked so bad no one saw it besides me and some others that barely helped it crack that weekend's top 10 grossing film. Just glancing at this IMDb page reminded me that it remains one of the WORST movies I've ever seen. Don't torture friends or family with this stinker unless you don't want to associate with them anymore. Where do I start? The trailer with the exploding toilet received heavy exposure on MTV, where I suppose the Weinstein brothers got a favor thrown their way for advertising this bomb of bombs, or the horrible acting and non-existent script. If you're looking for good 1980s flicks marketed towards younger moviegoers, anything is better than this with the exception of "St. Elmo's Fire". Find "Fast Times At Ridgemont High," "The Breakfast Club," "Ferris Bueller's Day Off," "Say Anything," "Heathers" or "The River's Edge" - just don't go near "Playing For Keeps."
I rented this movie last week because I love 80's teen movies (License To Drive, Can't Buy Me Love, Don't Tell Her It's Me, etc.) I read the reviews (which were pretty negative), but decided to give "Playing For Keeps" a chance anyway. My conclusion: YOU GUYS WE'RE RIGHT! This movie is LOUSY! I tried so hard to like it, but I couldn't. I won't bother explaining the reasons why (because there are so many reasons). Just trust me, and all the other reviewers. Don't bother.
When I first looked at the LaserDisc jacket, I thought this movie was going to be a bomb, but was instead pleasantly surprised. Better than below average 80's Teen Adventures (like Kevin Bacon's often cheezy Quicksilver '86), this fun movie included a very young Marisa Tomei and super cute Mary B. Ward. Worth a watch.
