Leatherheads...

So, it's a Monday night. Clover has class, I have nothing to do, and so, I decide to go to the movies. Then I have a debate...21, or Leatherheads. So, I decide to go with Leatherheads...I like Georgey boy, Zellwegger is kind of hot in a model-who-just-ate-a-lemon way, and I am a pretty big sports fan. Now, the big question is, was it worth my time?Leatherheads is the story of football hero Dodge Connolly whose team has just gone under. One day, he hears about a young hotshot Princeton student who is a huge star, and war hero. He decides to go out and meet the guy. When he gets to the hotel he is meeting him at, he looks upon a stunning young journalist who is out to make a name for herself by bringing down the allegedly war heroes story. Now, when these two cross paths, the chemistry flies. Dodge offers the star, Carter Rutherford a spot on his fledgling team. He says yes and off they go. With a new governing body in football, a mystery into Carter's past, and a romantic triangle, this is a plot that, if you let it, will let you fall right into its web. Is that a good thing though?

For about 2/3rds of the flick, it definitely was. There are a lot of things good about this film. First off, Clooney and Zellwegger have truly amazing chemistry. There interchanges are really fun to watch. It's almost noir-esque, and it really works for this film that's set in mid 20's Chicago. It's almost like a solid prequel to the Cohen’s O' Brother Where Art Thou. Clooney's character is a carbon copy of his character from that also great film. The script deserves a lot of this credit. It's also written by amazing sports journalist Rick Reilly who always does the back page of SI, and it's a pretty solid first outing. The cinematography is also pretty good. It's all in the sepia sort of colors, a very autumnal color scheme, which is perfect for this fall sport flick. The supporting cast also gives stellar performances. The biggest thing is that this shows that Clooney is indeed a good director. If you didn’t know that from his two previous amazing efforts, Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, and Good Night and Good Luck, than this should cover it. It’s not even close to those other two flicks, but it is indeed solid, although there are a couple of problems.

I simply have two problems with this movie. First off, the performances from John Krasinski and his agent played by Jonathan Pryce are simply laughable. There tone is just so off, and this film really had almost a split personality. For one second it wants to talk about the glorification and necessity that the U.S. has with its war heroes, and then it wants to almost be a commentary on government with the discussion of the instillation of a new governing body and new rules in pro football, and it all just seemed a little heavy handed. Finally, and least importantly, the second act did kind of drag, and it really got me checking my watch, but then Clooney and Zellweger got back on screen, and I got back in the movie. This is one that you should definitely try and get out to. At least worth a rental in 3 months. I give it 8/10 or 3.5 out of 5 stars.

Go see something good!