Leatherheads (2008)

“I got a new play. It’s called the Sergeant York.” – Jimmy ‘Dodge’ Connelly

Number of Times Seen – Twice (23 Jun 2008 and 6 Apr 2021)

Brief Synopsis –During the 1920’s a professional Football players trues to create a serious league for the sport in order for them to start taking in real revenue from their games.

My Take on it – Fascinating premise for a film that doesn’t work at all.

George Clooney both stars and directed in this film and it comes across as more of a farce than a serious pseudo-biographical story.

The story is presented in the manner that Screwball comedies were done in the 30’s and 40′. yet neither Clooney or Renee Zellweger manage to captivate the audience with their back and forth romance here.

The football scenes are presented well, but the fact that the stakes are always so low doesn’t help elevate the ideas or the sport along the way.

The methods that they use to try and lure spectators to the game is fun to watch, but ultimately feels a bit too inconsequential along the way.

The movie could have been so much more enjoyable, but it lacks any true feeling in the way it all comes across and that is quite problematic with a film like this one.

MovieRob’s Favorite Trivia – Actor and director George Clooney claimed that he had re-written all but two scenes, and had asked the WGA for credit. When they denied his request, he removed himself as a voting member and changed his status to “Financial Core Member”. (From IMDB)

Rating – BAFTA Worthy (5/10)