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Home > Archive > Apr 10, 2008

‘Leatherheads’ Takes Audience Back in Time
By Ann Staples
If you like the old school movies from the likes of Cary Grant or Katherine Hepburn you will like this throw back to the good old movie times with “Leatherheads,” rated PG-13.
The year is 1925 and the game of football is not like it is today. The guys played for the love of the game, not for the absurd paycheck or the fame in the gossip rags.
College football was the main event. Huge crowds filled the stadiums and the young players were the stars.  Professional football took a backseat and was at a crisis point of going out of business altogether.
Since Mr. Grant is no longer with us, only Oscar winner George Clooney could save the day and get the girl at the same time. “Leatherheads” is not just a sports movie, but it is more of a romantic comedy with wonderful Oscar-winner Renee Zellweger.
Clooney not only stars in this piece of pure entertainment, but he takes his third big screen seat in the director’s chair.
Pro player Dodge Connolly (Clooney) is struggling with keeping his team afloat. He won’t give in to defeat so he comes up with an idea to keep his team alive and get the professional football organization back in the game for success.
He figures out a way to grab the college football standout that also happens to be a recent war hero. A newspaper finds a story that needs to be brought to the surface about the popular college player (John Krasinski from the TV hit show “The Office”) who may not be the decorated war hero that everybody thought he was.
The reporter is the smart and beautiful Miss Lexie Littleton (Zellweger) who is on the move up the corporate ladder and ready for the challenge. Oh boy!  Did she ever ask for it!
The football organization needs help, the college and war hero tries to save face, the go-to-gal journalist falls for both handsome athletes, and Dodge must figure it all out and convince everybody fast!
The time period is portrayed in an authentic way. It is a wonder that pro ball made it and became what it is today! The scenes, costumes, cars and mannerisms are portrayed so well to represent that era.
I loved Lexie’s look. Ms. Zellweger is not only a talented actress, but she embodies the spirit of the time and looks fabulous in her costumes!
The best part of this movie is the banter between Clooney and Zellweger. It is so much like the movies of yesteryear. The tricky part is that we are no longer trained to expect a show like this. It is witty, fun, and pretty clean for the rating.
Clooney and Zellweger’s fast back and forth zingers remind me so much of what Cary Grant or Katharine Hepburn, or Spencer Tracy would have done. How great is it that George Clooney appreciates that style of movie and was willing to bring it to us in 2008?
Seriously, the chemistry and fast paced one-liners between the two leads is worth seeing. I wish we could have more of these old fashioned movies made! 
The nay sayers to “Leatherheads” need to chill out and relax with some oldie goldie flicks that have other favorite stars like Doris Day, Rock Hudson, Clark Gable, Audrey Hepburn, etc. These types of movies, and “Leatherheads”, are just simple silly shows and are made for fun!
It was great to see a night out for the seniors who came to the theater to remember the days gone by and enjoy this nod to the past with current stars. It is also a perfect date night movie! Little ones won’t appreciate the amusing chitchat dialog, but it is entertaining for everyone else.
Stay through the credits to see a short follow up shown in photographs to show you what happened to the characters after the movie ends. Oscar-winner songwriter Randy Newman did the original music here, along with a quick cameo appearance.
I left the theater with a smile on my face and it looked to me like most of the audience did too! There are just a few little fumbles, but otherwise “Leatherheads” makes a touchdown and scores an “A-“ with me. Until next time … Save me a seat!
Ann Staples is a St. George resident who has reviewed movies for KCSG, KONY 99.9 FM, and KDXU 890 AM. She is the former host of local lifestyle and entertainment TV shows "KCSG Today" and "So Utah." Ann is married to dentist Larry Staples and has three children, four step-children, and 11 grandchildren.

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