PLAYING FOR KEEPS (1986)

Cast: Daniel Jordano, Matthew Penn, Leon W. Grant, Mary B. Ward, Harold Gould, Marisa Tomei, Raymond J. Barry

Directed By: Bob Weinstein & Harvey Weinstein
Written By: Harvey Weinstein & Bob Weinstein & Jeremy Leven
Cinematography By: Eric Van Haren Norman
Editor: Gary Karr & Sharyn L. Ross

This movie is one I remember watching a lot as a kid. A teen movie about a couple of kids from Brooklyn who try to open up a rock N’ Roll hotel in a small town. The type of film that was popular to be made in the 80’s usually playing on cable ikept renting this form the library.

This film is just what you would expect the small town doesn’t accept them there is a clash of cultures the evil greedy small town government that is working against them which I’m guessing is supposed to represent the man, the evil empire that the young kids are rebelling against to try and make it and still keep there integrity. Even if in the end they have to use there old Brooklyn street smarts and ingenuity to succeed. Though everything is solved in a Scooby doo type way. Also I don’t know if a hotel exclusive for teenagers would fly where would they get the money plus if under 18 wouldn’t you need parents permission I could see it more as a youth hotel. Everyone gets to live out there dream.

There is still even the popular music montage that is supposed to represent that a certain amount of time has gone by. In this world there is a multicultural mix of kids working together which means Italian, Jewish and one black guy.

The film is note worthy for two reasons it’s one of the first starring roles of Marisa tomei. Who is cute and perky here showing a fraction of the talent she would show in future roles. The second is that this film was directed by Harvey and bob Weinstein yes the same Weinstein brothers who ran both Miramax films and dimension films. And who now run the Weinstein brothers film company. Which is funny considering that now they release oscar winning films.

All in all this film isn’t horrible it’s pretty entertaining it’s not aged well but it follows sort of the same path of the show northern exposure a fish out of water scenario. Just like that show this film probably would have played better as a pilot for a tv show where you could follow there adventures running this hotel and the many different characters clashing with the townfolk or make it like fantasy island and have the characters mix with guest stars who come to stay at the hotel.

In the end it’s a cute film worth renting but only if your really into 80’s films


GRADE: C+