 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Leatherheads
- Review Date: April 1, 2008
- PG-13
- Genre: Comedy
- 2008
Common Sense Media says
Clooney's football comedy isn't quite a touchdown.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that older tweens and teens may be drawn to this 1920s-set romantic comedy by stars George Clooney, Renee Zellweger, and John Krasinski (one of the stars of The Office). It's a fun, fairly tame screwball movie, but it's worth noting that it's set in a time when women were treated as if they weren't equal to men and kids were put to work like adults (and acted like them, too). Also in the name of period accuracy, characters smoke, drink, and swear ("s--t" is the strongest word used). It's all treated with a light touch -- maybe almost too much so; it's frothy and fun, but there's not as much of a bite as it first promises.
What's the story?
If there was ever a doubt that George Clooney is an actor straight out of the Cary Grant playbook, LEATHERHEADS banishes it forever. As Dodge Connolly, a pro footballer back in the day when the game played second banana to its more refined, civilized collegiate counterpart, Clooney (who also directed) is winning. When his scrappy, beloved team, the Duluth Bulldogs, is disbanded, its members scattered to the mines and the fields, Dodge hatches a plan to save the league by recruiting war hero/college football legend Carter Rutherford (John Krasinski). His plan is a success: The fans descend in droves. But ace reporter Lexie Littleton (Renee Zellweger) is out to prove Rutherford a fraud, and pro football's ascent may prove its undoing, after all. That leaves Dodge -- who's falling in love with the fiery Lexie, whom Carter fancies, too -- in a pickle. What's a guy to do?
Is it any good?
Krasinski, whom fans probably know best as The Office's sardonic Jim, steps into Carter's cleats with ease. Who knew he could hold his own with the impossibly debonair Clooney (who, even when he's rumpled, still looks suave)?. Zellweger pursues success with a panther-like zeal and ably trades barbs with Clooney, and they do have chemistry, though she's no Nora to his Nick.
Clearly, Leatherheads is a fun way to pass the time. The art direction is fantastic, it makes football history compelling, and it brings up interesting, still-relevant points about how the press shapes public figures and how those public figures allow half-truths to go uncorrected. And kudos to Randy Newman for the lively soundtrack. But somewhere along the way, you get a sense of promise unfulfilled. A small twist in the end that saves the day feels rushed, and the witty banter, while engaging, isn't really all that clever. Though you expect the movie to wrap up nicely, as movies of this genre do, it becomes clear that Leatherheads is more of an homage than a true original.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about how Carter's image was shaped. How does Lexie -- and by extension, the media -- change it? Or doesn't she? Who manipulates whom? Can you think of any other press-public figure relationships in the movie that seem distorted? Families can also discuss how football is treated in the movie. Why was college ball so revered but pro football not? Did "classing up" the game ruin it? Last but not least, how does this film seem different from prototypical Hollywood comedies/romantic comedies? How is it similar to them?
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AGE
Is Leatherheads okay for the whole family?
This movie is a cute, comical, looney, comedy about old-time football in the year of 1925. There are a few swear words(the d-word), a kissing scene(nothing more), a fighting scene with fists(no blood), and bar scene(they get drunk). The rest of the movie is a realistic cartoon. I would definitly recommend Leatherheads as a nice Friday Night movie for the whole family.
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AGE
Lighten Up!
This is not an art film, it isn't a social commentary on the equality of women. It certainly isn't a film on sports safety since these guys cream each other (and did back in the day).It is a light-hearted film meant to be fun and it is! Go, laugh, have a good time.
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AGE
Misleading Review for Christians
I previously read the Common Sense Review of this Film, and because it appeared fairly harmless with regard to sex, nudity, and language content my friend and I decided to go and see the movie this evening. I was very surprised to learn as I viewed the movie, that the words God-Da** were spoken by the main characters over 10 different times, interspersed with Jesus, and Christ used at varying intervals. While others may not find this offensive, I was shocked since it was not referred to in any of the Reviews provided as being language to expect, as well as my personal Faith prohibits the use of such language. I would not have chosen to see this film had I known in advance.
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AGE
An okay movie, not that greatm not that movie, some funny parts in it.
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AGE
Fun, good acting
The good acting lifts this movie, the plot is nothing special. There is some foul language, but it's not too strong and it's not constant.
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AGE
Clooney is witty and fun, worth watching
The dialogue was very witty and layered, which made for some very intelligent jokes that you miss if you're not paying attention. Great acting from Clooney and Zellweger, and Krasinski did a pretty good job too. Even the cinematography was very well done. Storytelling could be a bit stronger, but other qualities made up for it in my book. Use of language was a little too frequent for my taste, but was fairly indicative of the time period. Enjoyable film filled with subtle and overt humor.
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| Studio: | Universal Pictures |
| Director: | George Clooney |
| Cast: | George Clooney, John Krasinski, Renee Zellweger |
| Genre: | Comedy |
| Run time: | 113 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | April 2, 2008 |
| DVD release date: | September 22, 2008 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | brief strong language. |
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