P&G has another film in their Family Movie Night Series called Game of Your Life. Game of Your Life premieres on Friday, December 2 on NBC at 8pm ET/7pm CT. Lea Thompson is a favorite actress of mine so I had a feeling I’d enjoy this movie a little bit more with her in it, and while that’s true, I found the movie enjoyable overall.
When industrious high school gamer Zach Taylor lands a prized scholarship to the prestigious Digital Institute of Game Design (DIGD), his future breaks wide open. The opportunity to study under gaming legend Marcus Bentton and alongside the country’s most creative minds will certainly propel him into a successful career as a video game designer. That is, if he can pass the infamous freshman project that eliminates more than half of the class within the first three months.
Paired with brilliant yet socially awkward teammates Phillip and Donald, the trio persuades Sara Ramirez – a determined and striking team leader with whom Zach has a history (and possibly a future) – to join their team. Working off-campus in the teched-out Lincoln Alley loft, the four set out to involve the entire campus in a quirky new social interactive game. But as the group becomes entrenched in the project, Zach learns that his father Billy, a widower, is facing growing financial woes at home. To help out, Zach accepts an opportunity to work directly with Marcus Bentton on a secretive side project that seems too good to be true. The effort requires nearly all of Zach’s time and energy, which he should be devoting to the project. Struggling to keep it together, Zach is torn between his responsibility to his team, his admiration for Bentton and a chance to help his father.
Everything comes to a breaking point when Zach’s team threatens to remove him from the group and the deceptive truth behind Bentton’s project comes to light. With the guidance of Professor Abbie Lambert, Zach must make a decision that not only affects his future, but the lives and livelihoods of the people around him as well. It’s a revealing story that recognizes the magnitude behind the choices we make and the importance loyalty plays in making good decisions.
Aside from the obvious lessons in the film, what stands out to me about this movie- and the others in this series- is how up to date the topics are. I feel like the folks creating these films are really in tune with what matters to teens- and in turn, their families- but gaming is such a huge part of live in today’s world, and having gaming be such a large part of the film is a great way to engage younger family members – which opens things up for some potentially great family conversations both during and after the movie. It’s nice to see the “gamers” face the same tough decisions as the jocks and homecoming queens – I think that also reinforces the idea that we all face challenges and tough decisions, which should unify us and not separate us. This is a nice film and one day, when my own kids are old enough, I am sure I will watch with them.
Doing things together as a family does so much good for all involved. So this Friday, pop some popcorn, put on some comfy loungewear, and head to the family room for 8pm ET and watch Game Of Your Life on NBC. See if you agree with me!
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“I wrote this review while participating in a campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of P&G and received a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate.”