MOVIE REVIEW - Leatherheads

George Clooney generally makes good movies. He is Hollywood's biggest star and is in an enviable position to pursue projects that are interesting to him. Leatherheads is his latest movie.

Leatherheads is a fictional story about a non-fictional event, the advent of Pro Football. It's hard to imagine, but in 1925 Pro Football was seen as unsavory, and low-life. The college game was far more popular and legitimate. This is the story of the Duluth Bulldogs and Dodge Connolly (Clooney.) They successfully steal away one of college footballs biggest stars, Carter Rutherford (John Krasinski) to give the professional game a boost. All while being reported by a female reporter Lexie Littleton (Renee Zellweger) which was unheard of at the time. Side plots a plenty, and a budding love story ensue too as I'm sure you can imagine.

Leatherheads does a few things very well. It does carry you back to 1925, and does capture the era quite well. Leatherheads has a snappy soundtrack that's fun. Clooney who not only stars in the movie also directs it and he's always a good time. Should be noted too there are several references to Akron in the movie. There are moments of fun and wit, and it is not a bad night at the movies.

Hang on though, there is a down side. Leatherheads starts out strong but loses momentum as the 2 hour flick rolls on. Sadly, Zellweger is terribly cast, and her performance borders on the horrible. Her character is so crucial to the movies ultimate success, and she falls flat on her face. I'm still having a tough time understanding how the movie producers didn't see this. Leatherheads falls short of really being great, and she has a large hand in it. Leatherheads also looks a lot funnier in the trailers that it really is. But if you love Clooney, then Leatherheads is for you.

Leatherheads should have been much better. Clooney is a true Hollywood star and it's a shame that it's not better. The idea is good, the story really hasn't been told before and the movie looks great cinematically. But the good idea can't save it from being just OK. I just want to know what leatherhead cast Renee Zellweger.