Leatherheads (Widescreen)
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Movie Reviews of Leatherheads (Widescreen)
Movie Review: Like the first years of pro football, this one's all over the map but always watchable
Summary: 3 Stars
This engaging tale of the early days of professional football has two or three strong points going for it, namely gorgeous cinematography (I'm mainly thinking of all the burnished autumnal colors that were beautifully lit) and a nice fable-like quality, not unlike Robert Redford's "The Natural". On that second point, though, I liked that the storybook quality is diluted a little with some grit and humor, so the whole mythic feel isn't laid on too thick (as it was perhaps in the Redford film). Also, the acting is very good, both the individual performances by George Clooney, Renee Zellweger, and John Krasinski, and the cute way the performances bounce off each other.
Not fatal but less successful is the story, which starts off well but then splinters off into a variety of subplots, themes, and plot points, so after a while one asks "what is this movie exactly about?" Make no mistake, we're not talking messy and incoherent, just a lack of focus. And what focus there was sometimes seemed misplaced. For example, an investigation into the truth of the Krasinski character's war record by Zellweger's reporter character took up a lot of time in the second half but didn't deliver narrative rewards or even entertaining plot developments. It was just sort of there.
Despite those shortcomings, I'd definitely recommend "Leatherheads" for at least a viewing, primarily for the reasons stated at the outset. Also, as far as modern movies are concerned, it was fun to see a film set in an underutilized era (the 1920's) about an underutilized subject (sports history). So you see things you haven't seen in the movies a thousand times before.
The DVD offers top-notch picture and sound, which more than does justice to the original film's excellent cinematography. Featurettes in the special features section are only a few minutes each, but there are a nice handful of them. Paricularly interesting were the featurettes showing where special effects were applied to create crowds, stadiums that no longer actually exist, and other visual requirements. Special effects aren't just about spaceships and monsters anymore; the most normal and mundane background scenes are now routinely created via digital wizardry.
For decent evening's entertainment, one can do worse than this DVD.
Movie Review: Beautiful cinematography, but...
Summary: 3 Stars
I'm not really a football fan, but I am a Clooney fan and decided to check Leatherheads out. The movie is basically a screwball comedy dealing with aging football jock Dodge Connelly[played by George Clooney]who is desperate to keep his pro-football team alive.This is 1925, and pro-football is more of a joke than serious business. He decides to bring on a young, war hero/college football superstar Carter Rutherford [John Krasinski] and approaches his manager C.C. Frazier [Jonathan Pryce].Before long, Carter is playing for the Duluth Bulldogs and bringing in the crowds and money.But, things are not all smooth-sailing, as newspaper journalist, Lexie Littleton [Renee Zellweger] tags along for the ride, trying her best to uncover the real truth behind Carter's war hero story, whilst engaging in active verbal sparring with Dodge [Clooney].
I felt that the storyline itself wasn't anything unique - and to add to that, this wasn't really a true sports movie. Sure, it tries to provide an interesting backstory as to the genesis of pro-football, but doesn't really address this topic with any depth. The screwball comedy part is also half-baked - there are some laughs, but not many.
What I enjoyed [hence the three-star rating] was the beautiful cinematography and the attention to period details, evoking the 1920s with some measure of credibility. Also, I loved the witty banter between Clooney and Zellwegger, and the dialogue between them was the highlight of the movie for me. Though their verbal sparring was well-done, there did seem to be something lacking in their chemistry with each other. I just felt that Renee Zellwegger didn't seem a suitable match for Clooney in this role, there was just something lacking and I can't explain it. I felt they were both trying too hard to conjure famous screen couples of the past [the 1940s to be exact, like Bogart-Bacall, or Hepburn-Tracy] and just didn't quite manage to pull it off.
Anyway, that's how I felt as I sat through this movie. It's not a bad movie, and definitely worth a watch, but it wasn't exactly memorable either. Final verdict: an average romantic comedy.
Movie Review: Enjoyable 1920s Football Comedy
Summary: 3 Stars
Most of the movie is snappy comedy and old-time romance. The football scenes toward the end drag but overall a fun movie to watch and enjoy.
The early 1920's is when Leatherheads takes place. Leatherheads title comes from the helmets they wore at the time - hardly protecting the player's heads, but much about football has changed since then. Professional football was laughable. It showed the early team playing in a farm field with a cow chewing grass and looking mildly irritated her field was full of crazy men running back and forth. Few fans were around.
Dodge Connelly (George Clooney) is an older player (45 years old) and does not want his team, the Duluth Bulldogs, to fold - like other teams are across the United States. College football is doing better than the weak professional teams. Dodge latches onto a top player Carter Ruthford (John Kasinski) who is also a national hero of the First World War. Carter is young, smart and is talked into playing for the Bulldogs for $5,000 of the gate receipts. He brings in the fans, the reporters and money. The Bulldogs are on a gravy train with him - he helps pack in the fans and get bigger professional stadium.
Lexie Littleton (Renee Zellweger) is the cute Chicago Newspaper reporter (also the romantic interest of Dodge and Carter) who wants a "big" story to make her editor of a newspaper. She is ambitious, full of moxie and knows how to handle herself in a man's world of sports. The drama starts when Carter falls for her and confesses that his heroics in capturing a group of German Soldiers was sheer luck (although I thought he should still get credit). She has some guilt but prints the story and then the movie gets complicated and a little off kilter. The story line gets a bit goofy and off the point.
However the movie meanders, it was fun and enjoyable - Dodge and Lexie are played in the spirit of the 1930's romantic comedies and many laughs throughout.
Movie Review: "It's 1925, There Are No Rules"
Summary: 3 Stars
The '08 film `Leatherheads' is a perfect example of a good concept left unrealized. Attempting to tap into the American sports psyche and our innate fondness for things nostalgic, a film about the 1920's and the birth of professional football certainly sounded like the beginnings of an entertaining storyline. Complimented by a strong cast consisting of such talents as; George Clooney, Renee Zellweger and John Krasinski (The Office) things appeared to be starting out on a positive note and the viewing audience had no reason to suspect anything other than success for this production.
Unfortunately from my personal perspective things simply didn't go as planned. While the film successfully captures a `20's ambiance in set design, costumes and soundtrack, the film is otherwise flat, listless and lacking in soul. There are no special memorable moments in this movie whether they be romantic, comedic, athletic or otherwise. Thus the audience is left with a rather tired, glad-the-movies-over feel.
Furthermore, the love/hate relationship between George Clooney and Renee Zellwegger doesn't work at all. There dialogue may come across as crisp and witty but there's not chemistry between them, or personal attachment in their banter. Not only that, they don't come across as particularly likeable people so the viewer doesn't really care if they eventually end up together or not. I did enjoy the performance of John Krasinski, his youthful, boyish charm provided the few bright moments in the film.
Bottom Line, `Leatherheads' is one of those inexplicable films that seemed to have all the right components that somehow just didn't come together. Who knows why?
Movie Review: By the Numbers with a Coen Brothers Style and Supporting Cast
Summary: 3 Stars
"Director and Leading Man" George Clooney Paints by the numbers in the period gridiron classic. What is good is that the detail, color and impeccable; so we know that George knows how to paint within the lines, but that is all. The charactors are given limited redemption, and the story is less than compelling in it's development. George borrows from the wonderful Coen brothers in style and from in the excellent "Oh Brother Were Art Thou". George feels also he must use token African Armericans in roles that are historically incorrect. This is not a bad thing from an inculsion standpoint, but it shows a knee jerk reaction of a Hollywierd Liberal attempting to redefine history and keep the film from being an all white folks affair. The tallented and beautiful Renee Zellweger models her role leaning somewhat on Jennifer Jason Leigh's fast talkin street smart gal reporter in the Hudsucker Proxy. Even one of her potential love interests resembles Tim Robbins charactor in the Hudsucker Proxy... Clooney has a wonderful tallent for comedy. He has wonderful repoire with the other actors. I feel Mr. Clooney is best served sticking to acting as his primary craft. He should dable less in directing and politics. I don't care for either one of them when he is involved. Overall I say that this is an ok way to pass a rainy night. I don't suggest buying this film unless you are a diehard Clooney fan. I borrowed mine from the library and feel vindicated. I originally wanted to see this film in the theather, but did not. I didn't miss anything. I also recommend George Clooney in "Oh Brother Where Art Thou", and "Intolerable Cruelty". He is very entertaining in both of these Coen Brothers films.