"Leatherheads" *** (out of ****)
"Leatherheads" is a throwback to the romantic comedies of the 1930s and the college sports movies of the 1920s and 30s. It is directed by George Clooney, whose previous film, "Goodnight and Good Luck", was also a period piece. The 1950s in that movie's case.
Clooney might be the only actor today who is capable of pulling off these kind of roles. The kind of roles Cary Grant would have played 60 years ago. There is something about his looks and his personality where he can get away it. There are times he has hints of Grant's suave, smooth style. The Coen Brothers like to take advantage of that. Watch him in "Intolerable Cruelty" or "Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?".
In "Leatherheads" Clooney plays the Cary Grant part again as Dodge Connelly. A 40-ish year old football player trying to make it in the pro league. The film takes place in 1925. Pro football is not the way we know it today. There are no rules and regulations which we have today. "Leatherheads" wants to be the story of how football transformed into the game we know it as today. At least that is part of the story.
The more interesting part of the film is the throwback to a forgotten era. I've never been shy to admit my love of films of the 1920s-1940s. Every once in a while Hollywood wants to attempt to make films in that vain. Earlier this year I reviewed "Miss Pettigrew Lives for A Day". Another wannabe 1930s comedy.
I usually like when Hollywood tries to go back to its roots but sadly the films are never quite as good. There just doesn't seem to be the same level of talent anymore. Are the Coen Brothers this generation's next Preston Sturges or Ernst Lubitsch?
A lot of critics and some of the public were pretty harsh on this film. I think I know why. Films such as these (Miss Pettigrew, Being Julia) are taking us back to a time most movie fans know nothing about. There is nothing for them to relate to. These movies work for me because I'm familiar with what the director is trying to do. I know the films they are paying homage to. I have a certain nostalgia for the era and its films. Critics today, who also know those old movies, criticize the films because they follow the rule, if something was made today it can't be good. It's better to say everything today is bad when compared to the films of yesteryear. Sometimes that is true. But sometimes you have to stop being a snob and admit when something good does actually come out.
What really makes this film special for me is the chemistry between Renee Zellweger and Clooney. Zellweger plays Lexie Littleton a Chicago Tribune reporter sent on a special assignment to follow a college football superstar and war hero, who single handedly captured a dozen German soldiers, Carter Rutherford (John Krasinski). It turns out Carter's story may not be true. Lexis is sent in the hopes she can seduce the truth out of Carter. But Lexie has managed to catch Dodge's eye, despite the two's constant arguing.
Zellweger was a good choice for the part. It is her second time back in the roaring 20s. If you remember she was in "Chicago" as Roxie Hart. Zellweger has a Rosalind Russell quality to her. Just the idea of Zellweger playing a reporter made me think of "His Girl Friday". She and Clooney have a sort of Grant/Russell banter to their speech.
John Krasinski some may know from the Robin Williams comedy "License to Wed". He played the non-religious boyfriend of Mandy Moore. He was a bit annoying in that movie and he's a bit annoying here too but I think his non-likable personality is more suited here because he's playing a liar and a cheat. So it works in his favor.
One has to admit though that the film does leave some things to be desired. Some people may complain the film doesn't dwell deep enough into the characters. It doesn't allow enough of a set-up to show Dodge and Lexie falling for each other. Not all of the jokes work. In fact more miss than hit. And the film's climax is an absolute disgrace and an insult to cinema. It is anti-climatic. It should have been rewritten. It is a football match which has no suspense. There are no laughs either. Think of the "big game" in other college sport films such as "The Freshman" with Harold Lloyd or "Horse Feathers" with the Marx Brothers. That is what "Leatherheads" should have been aiming for.
But good points about the film is Clooney and Zellweger have enough star power and likability to carry a film. They have chemistry together and deliver some good lines at each other. I also liked the musical score which was written by Randy Newman (he has a cameo has a piano player in a bar who gets involved in a bar fight). But some real songs make their way in the movie such as Gershwin's "The Man I Love".
Will everyone enjoy this movie? Of course not! But those you like old-fashion comedies will. Luckily I do!
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