Parents' Guide to

Kate and Leopold

By Nell Minow, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 13+

Some nice moments but overall not a total success.

Movie PG-13 2001 121 minutes
Kate and Leopold Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

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age 12+

Based on 2 parent reviews

doctora
doctora Parent of 6-year-old
July 31, 2022
age 13+

A big fat mess, with few bright spots

This film from the jump is a big mess. Tonally it starts off all over the place and it just continues from there.The three co-leads feel like they are all acting in a different film. Just what is Schreiber's character doing? Why does Ryan's character not want to be in the film for half of it? Why is she so angry? The only reason I gave it two stars is because Jackman is just so darn charming. He definitely comes off as debonair and gallant. But there are so many other characters and there is not much chemistry between the co-leads, it all feels a bit slapdash and just not believable...on any level. Bradley Whitford doesn't disappoint though, soooo there's that.
John Lang
John Lang Parent of 15 and 17-year-old
December 18, 2014
age 10+

Fun and lighthearted

Our family really, really enjoyed Kate & Leopold. At no point are you expected to actually believe the storyline - but that is fine; there are so many sweet moments, so much to laugh at, such fine acting, that you end up just liking the whole movie. As an adult I found a bit of a message it the way Leopold treated ladies - gentlemen, remember to treat your ladies as ladies...

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
See all 2 parent reviews

What's the Story?

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?

Our review:
Parents say (2):
Kids say (4):

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.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • 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?

Movie Details

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