One would never expect a superficial jerk to actually turn into a respectable father like Joe Kingman, played by the Rock, in “The Game Plan”. The transformation is hilarious and the result is heart-wrenching. The Game plan is a great movie for the entire family with its superb acting, gut busting comedy, and the life lessons hidden throughout the movie.

The stars of the film, the Rock and Madison Pettis, do a great job as Joe Kingman and Peyton. The dynamic duo draws the viewer in and by the end of the movie, the viewers have connected with the characters; they laugh with them and they cry with them. From the beginning, Joe Kingman displays every characteristic that a new father would display, especially if they had to grow into the role within a month. His daughter, however, does not make it easy for him, but does make him a better man.

Throughout this journey of becoming a loving father, there are many events which keep the viewer laughing the entire time. The comedy ranges from the predictability of a football star being so into himself to the shock of finding out he is a father to ridiculous things his new found daughter puts him through. One incident that may stand out in the viewers mind would be the bedazzled football. Just looking at the football provokes giggles. Add in the circumstances surrounding the time that Joe Kingman finds the football and the look on his face and the viewer will be rolling on the floor holding their belly. The humor in “The Game Plan” is very funny and targets every type of person that may watch the film whether they be big macho men, bubbly teenagers, or little girls in tutus.

Even though “The Game Plan” is predominantly a comedy, one also gets a Lifetime movie feeling about it. There are many lessons hidden throughout this movie. The biggest one of all would be what qualifies as a family. Joe Kingman may have biologically been Peyton’s father, but he wasn’t truly her father until he met her and had the chance to raise her. Another way one sees this in the movie is by watching how the entire football team becomes a part of Peyton’s life. A football team is a family in itself, but the way they all take on a paternal role in Peyton’s life shows how they support each other on and off the field.

The growing love of a father and daughter is shown beautifully and comically in the movie “The Game Plan”. While most fathers have years to learn how to be a good father, Joe Kingman is expected to be almost immediately a good father. Through trial and error he finally achieves this status and drops the self-absorbed NFL star image. By the end of the movie, the viewer will be rooting on Joe Kingman’s side on and off the field.