Released: April 4th, 2008
Runtime: 1 hr. 54 min.
Ticket Price: $9.50
Refreshments: Red Vines
Starring: George Clooney, Renée Zellweger, John Krasinski & Stephen Root
Director: George Clooney
Rating: Worth a Full Price Ticket
Synopsis: It is 1925 and a charming football hero wants to take his team from fighting in bars to playing before large stadium crowds. But, the league is on the verge of collapse and the team has lost its sponsor. So, it is up to him to save the day. He sets out to recruit a college football star to play for them, thus getting the recognition his sport deserves. The new golden boy seems to be too good to be true and a local journalist sets out to show that is exactly the case. While she digs into his story, he and his teammate that recruited him vie for her affections.
Review: It is always nice to leave the movies being pleasantly surprised, as was the case with Leatherheads. After watching the commercials and trailers, the movie looked kind of cheesy. While trailers usually make movies look better than they are, it turned out not to be the case here, as it was completely the other way around. Leatherheads is much better than you might be led to believe.
George Clooney (Michael Clayton, Ocean’s Eleven), as director, has put together a thoroughly enjoyable film, from opening with the vintage Universal Pictures logo to the classic riding off into the sunset type ending. As actor, he is so versatile, in this he just looks like a guy from the 1920s.
What made the movie for me was the interaction between Clooney and co-star Renée Zellweger (Cinderella Man, Bridget Jone’s Diary). The back-and-forth banter was reminiscent of classic screwball romcoms from the 1930s and 40s, something in the vein of a His Girl Friday
Another things was the score and music put together by Randy Newman
There are many scenes that will make you laugh out loud. Not smile or chuckle, laugh out loud. It has been a while since I have been to a movie where so many seemed to be having a good time. I overheard many leaving the theater rating it as an A, as a small survey had passed out to moviegoers on their way in.
Overall, Leatherheads is well worth seeing, even at full price. It is the funniest movie I have seen so far this year and hopefully points to better things ahead, cause an end to the this period of mostly garbage that has filled theaters since the year began is long over due.
Well, let us know what you thought of Leatherheads.
