Watch Playing for Keeps
- PG-13
- 1986
- 1 hr 42 min
-
4.4 (756)
Playing for Keeps is a lighthearted comedy that tells the story of Frank (Daniel Jordano), a carefree Italian-American teenager who lives in Brooklyn with his parents and spends most of his time hanging out with his best friends and chasing girls. However, Frank's life takes an unexpected turn when he falls in love with a beautiful and sophisticated college student named Allison (Mary B. Ward).
Despite the fact that Allison comes from a very different background than Frank and seems to be out of his league, he is determined to win her over. To impress her, Frank starts taking college classes, which leads to him adopting a more serious and studious attitude towards life. However, his new look and behavior are not well received by his friends and family, who accuse him of being inauthentic and abandoning his roots.
As Frank tries to balance his old and new lifestyles, he also has to navigate the challenges of Allison's disapproving father, who thinks Frank is not good enough for his daughter. Meanwhile, his friends and family try to push him back into his old ways, which creates tension and conflict in his relationships.
Along the way, Frank learns important lessons about love, identity, and loyalty. He realizes that being true to oneself is essential, but also that growth and change are inevitable and necessary for personal development. Ultimately, Frank finds a way to reconcile his new and old selves and win Allison's heart in the process.
The movie is a fun and nostalgic exploration of coming-of-age in 1980s New York City, and features a great cast, including Matthew Penn as Frank's best friend and Leon W. Grant as his tough but loving father. The soundtrack is also a highlight, with catchy tunes from artists like Huey Lewis and the News, Madness, and Elvis Costello.
Overall, Playing for Keeps is a charming and relatable movie that will appeal to anyone who has ever had to navigate the complexities of relationships and self-discovery. It has elements of romance, comedy, and drama, and offers a unique glimpse into a bygone era of American culture.