Leatherheads (2008)

O Masterpiece
O Excellent
O Good
X OK
O Mediocrity
O Avoid

Review by Jason Pyles / April 22, 2008

The best word to describe “Leatherheads” would be “goofy,” much like “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” (2000), which also stars George Clooney. There is a comment on the Internet Movie Database that mirrors my sentiments about the movie: “I tried so hard to like it, but could not … “ “Leatherheads” is more a comedy than a football movie. And it’s not a very funny comedy.

The year is 1925. Football, particularly professional football, is beginning to develop into the American pastime as we know it. “Dodge” Connelly (George Clooney) plays for (and I think manages) the Duluth Bulldogs, a wily team of mischievous cheaters. Dodge’s team (and many other teams) plays the game for the sheer love of it.

But money is important, too. And due to a lack of fans and therefore funds, many professional teams are folding, including the Duluth Bulldogs. But there is a remarkable young football phenomenon named Carter “The Bullet” Rutherford (John Krasinski, “The Office”) who packs his college stadium full of fans. Carter also happens to be a nationally recognized war hero and veteran of World War I.

Naturally, the crafty Dodge recruits Carter to play professional ball for his Bulldogs, thus remedying Duluth’s fan shortage. But Carter’s high profile attracts Lexie Littleton (Renée Zellweger), a bulldog-of-a-reporter for the Chicago Tribune whose editor suspects that the football superstar-war hero isn’t as perfect as he seems.

As Lexie snoops and digs into Carter’s past with her feminine charms, both Dodge and The Bullet fall for her, leading to a classic romantic comedy love triangle.

“Leatherheads” doesn’t have any real conviction besides its silliness. If it were truly about the beginnings of professional football, or committed to being a full-blown comedy, or romantic comedy, then it might work better. As it is, “Leatherheads” spreads itself too thin, having no particular focus and no specific strengths. Somehow, this movie calls to mind the phrase “Jack of all trades, master of none.”

Directed by George Clooney
George Clooney / Renée Zellweger / John Krasinski
Comedy / Sports 114 min.
MPAA: PG-13 (for brief strong language)

U.S. Release Date: April 4, 2008
Copyright 2008: 274