Kate and Leopold (PG-13)

Some nice moments but overall not a total success.

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Movie details

Studio: Miramax
Directed By: James Mangold
Cast: Hugh Jackman, Meg Ryan, Liev Schreiber
Running Time: 121 minutes
Release Date: 12/21/2001
Video/DVD Release Date: 06/11/2002
Genre: Drama
MPAA Rating: PG-13
MPAA Explanation: brief language

Parents need to know

Parents need to know that this movie has brief strong language and a joke about modern-day pooper-scooper laws. Characters drink and smoke. A supervisor's behavior could be considered predatory, even sexual harassment.

Families can talk about how bad experiences can make some people cynical. Why is Kate's job important in telling us something about her and about the themes of the movie? If you could go back in time, where would you go and who would you like to meet? Which customs of olden days would you like to bring back?

Message
Violence
Sex
Language

Message

Social Behavior:

Consumerism:

Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:

Characters drink, sometimes too much.

Violence

Mild peril.

Sex

Mild (one reference to "getting laid").

Language

Brief mild language including one "f--k."

Common Sense says

What's the story?

Reviewed by Nell Minow

In KATE AND LEOPOLD, New York executive Kate McKay (Meg Ryan) is in for a big surprise when she encounters Leopold (Hugh Jackman), a down-and-out nineteenth century duke who has been transported to the present day. Despite their differences – Leo’s chivalrous chap who has never seen modern technology but who stands up when Kate leaves the dinner table, while Kate is independent and liberated – the two begin to fall for each other. There’s just one problem – Leopold can’t remain in the future forever.

Is it any good?

This is a perfectly pleasant date movie with a cute premise and attractive stars, but it never quite works because (1) it is very predictable and (2) it is not very believable. Ryan's character, Kate, is just so brittle and charmless that it takes every smidgen of Ryan's considerable adorableness quotient and every smidgen of Hugh Jackman's considerable acting ability to help us believe that Leopold is swept away by her. They make it work, but just barely.

The movie has some nice moments by a first-rate group of sidekicks and supporting actors, including Breckin Meyer as Kate's actor brother (the lessons he gets from Leopold on women on are delightful), Natasha Lyonne as Kate's assistant, Bradley Whitford as Kate's boss, and Liev Schrieber as Kate's ex-boyfriend.