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ENLARGE
George Clooney has taken a step back - not just in time, but also from being in a serious movie with social overtones.
Showing his versatility and having loads of fun in the process, Clooney not only stars but also directs the football odyssey called "Leatherheads."
The year is 1925, prohibition is in effect, and professional football, still in its infancy, isn't quite the draw that good college games are. The Roaring '20s are in full swing, and the Great Depression hasn't happened yet.
Clooney plays Jimmy "Dodge" Connelly, head of the Duluth Bulldogs football team back in the days when chinstraps and padding still were a long way off.
"Leatherheads" has all the trappings of a period piece, and the only thing missing was seeing this as a silent movie. After all, Charlie Chaplin, Harold Lloyd and even Laurel and Hardy were at the top of their game (though most of Laurel and Hardy's movies at this time were relegated to shorts and not yet features).
Dodge has lost his sponsorship and will do whatever it takes to keep his team from splitting up. He enlists the help of college football star Carter "The Bullet" Rutherford (John Krasinski from NBC's "The Office"), who, believe it or not, even has a manager (Jonathan Pryce). "The Bullet" is a PR dream, being not just a star athlete, but also a World War I hero. Although the story changes which each telling, for now let's go with the one that Carter has been sticking with: capturing a German regiment singlehandedly.
Showing his versatility and having loads of fun in the process, Clooney not only stars but also directs the football odyssey called "Leatherheads."
The year is 1925, prohibition is in effect, and professional football, still in its infancy, isn't quite the draw that good college games are. The Roaring '20s are in full swing, and the Great Depression hasn't happened yet.
Clooney plays Jimmy "Dodge" Connelly, head of the Duluth Bulldogs football team back in the days when chinstraps and padding still were a long way off.
"Leatherheads" has all the trappings of a period piece, and the only thing missing was seeing this as a silent movie. After all, Charlie Chaplin, Harold Lloyd and even Laurel and Hardy were at the top of their game (though most of Laurel and Hardy's movies at this time were relegated to shorts and not yet features).
Dodge has lost his sponsorship and will do whatever it takes to keep his team from splitting up. He enlists the help of college football star Carter "The Bullet" Rutherford (John Krasinski from NBC's "The Office"), who, believe it or not, even has a manager (Jonathan Pryce). "The Bullet" is a PR dream, being not just a star athlete, but also a World War I hero. Although the story changes which each telling, for now let's go with the one that Carter has been sticking with: capturing a German regiment singlehandedly.
The movie also co-stars Renèe Zellweger, who likes to squint whenever possible. She plays newswoman Lexie Littleton, ahead of her time and a woman who could be the direct descendant of Susan B. Anthony in the independent department.
She's doing a story on the too-good-to-be-true Carter to find any holes in his war story, and in the process a story that could help the Bulldogs and the burgeoning professional sport of football. As one might expect, Dodge and Lexie scrimmage throughout, but Dodge gets an unexpected clip from Carter, who wants to score six points and claim victory for himself. (Hey, where else can you toss a few phrases that parallel the movie?)
Clooney is like those classic actors of yesteryear in many ways, oozing charm and handsome good looks for the ladies, while giving off an everyman's persona that guys easily would want to emulate.
It's fun to see the metamorphosis of football, and one can't help but notice the lack of protection athletes wore back then, given all the high-tech equipment in today's game.
Cinematographer Newton Thomas Sigel captures the "look" of the era, and the cool music of that decade is a perfect complement. Oscar winner Randy Newman, who has scored more than his share of movies over the years - including two incredible sports epics, "Seabiscuit" and "The Natural" - provides the music.
She's doing a story on the too-good-to-be-true Carter to find any holes in his war story, and in the process a story that could help the Bulldogs and the burgeoning professional sport of football. As one might expect, Dodge and Lexie scrimmage throughout, but Dodge gets an unexpected clip from Carter, who wants to score six points and claim victory for himself. (Hey, where else can you toss a few phrases that parallel the movie?)
Clooney is like those classic actors of yesteryear in many ways, oozing charm and handsome good looks for the ladies, while giving off an everyman's persona that guys easily would want to emulate.
It's fun to see the metamorphosis of football, and one can't help but notice the lack of protection athletes wore back then, given all the high-tech equipment in today's game.
Cinematographer Newton Thomas Sigel captures the "look" of the era, and the cool music of that decade is a perfect complement. Oscar winner Randy Newman, who has scored more than his share of movies over the years - including two incredible sports epics, "Seabiscuit" and "The Natural" - provides the music.
Keepin' it reel:
<b>Now Playing:</b> "Leatherheads"
<b>Starring:</b> John Krasinski, George Clooney, Malcolm Goodwin, Matt Bushell, Tommy Hinkley, Tim Griffin, Robert Baker, Nick Paonessa, Stephen Root, Renée Zellweger, JD Cullum and Jonathan Pryce <b>Directed by:</b> George Clooney <b>Rated:</b> PG-13 for brief strong language <b>Running time:</b> 115 minutes <b>Howie gives it:</b> 3 out of 5 bagels |
That said, the movie tends to jump around from romantic comedy to slapstick, then back to being a romance movie with an obvious sports theme. There is no question when it comes to the accuracy on the gridiron, mainly because the scriptwriters are one-time Sports Illustrated colleagues Duncan Brantley and Rick Reilly.
The chemistry between Clooney and Zellweger is believable enough, and there's plenty for both the guys to and gals to enjoy equally here. Clooney has a much better track record than his counterpart when it comes to box-office receipts, so this movie should help Zellweger with the critics considerably - if she could just cool it with the squinting.
- Howie Nave is host/manager of The Improv comedy club inside Harveys and reviews films for seven radio stations throughout Northern California and Nevada, including Sirius Radio. He hosts "Howie's Morning Rush" on Tahoe's KRLT radio, and you can see his film reviews on RSN. For past reviews, blogs and audio clips, visit www.HowieNave.com.
The chemistry between Clooney and Zellweger is believable enough, and there's plenty for both the guys to and gals to enjoy equally here. Clooney has a much better track record than his counterpart when it comes to box-office receipts, so this movie should help Zellweger with the critics considerably - if she could just cool it with the squinting.
- Howie Nave is host/manager of The Improv comedy club inside Harveys and reviews films for seven radio stations throughout Northern California and Nevada, including Sirius Radio. He hosts "Howie's Morning Rush" on Tahoe's KRLT radio, and you can see his film reviews on RSN. For past reviews, blogs and audio clips, visit www.HowieNave.com.
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