Stuffed with lame jokes and saccharine dialogue, The Game Plan is a syrupy family drama about father-and-daughter relationship that not even the tender performance of its male lead can save.
Directed by Andy Fickman, the Disney production stars wrestler-turned-actor Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson. Playing American football ace Joe Kingman, Johnson's portrayal of a helpless father proves he has more to offer than his chiselled looks and toned body.
Unfortunately, the film is let down by predictable twists and feeble jokes, as muscle-bound Joe is forced out of his bachelor bliss upon learning he has a young daughter.
Peyton (Madison Pettis) is a precocious, ballet-loving eight-year-old. While Joe is invincible on the pitch, parenthood presents a steep learning curve.
In the evolution from self-centred millionaire to loving father, the film rolls out the cliches. Contrived scenes about father-daughter clashes - macho footballer taking up ballet, daughter messing up his bachelor pad and dates - abound.
To make matters worse, cardboard characters abound - Joe's shrill agent (Kyra Sedgwick) and his cloyingly sweet daughter. As if to compensate, the camera often pans to Joe's tutu-wearing bulldog. Instead of being a saving grace, the mutt gags only add to the soppiness.