April 6, 2008 -- “Leatherheads” is a bit of throwback to the old screwball comedies made in the 1920s. The story is even set in the 1920s. It is so light and fluffy it really doesn't have any villains, no danger, no drama. It just breezes along without a care, dropping off a few puffball jokes now and then, just for fun. This light, breezy romantic sports comedy is all about having a good time. It isn't about art. It is entertainment, pure and simple.

George Clooney stars and directs this film about the early days of professional football. Clooney plays Jimmy 'Dodge' Connelly, roguish star of the Duluth Bulldogs, a down and out team near bankruptcy. The team is composed of a bunch of tough ex-miners and other refugees who would rather play football than work for a living (these same kinds of guys were a staple of college football in those days, too). They thrive in an environment where there are no rules. They get by on trick plays with names like “Crusty Bob,” “Pig in a poke” and “Rin Tin Tin.” I liked the “Rin Tin Tin” play, in which an offensive lineman begins barking loudly, disrupting the defense.

One of the football games in the movie takes place on a very muddy field in Chicago. One player is completely buried in mud in one play. The players jerseys get so dirty you can't tell which team is which. That is a key factor in one of the game's most memorable plays. The nature of pro football changes when Congress appoints a commissioner of pro football and standardized rules are adopted. The new commissioner warns Connelly that he won't tolerate any trick plays, even though that takes the fun out of the game. A new college player is recruited to attract bigger crowds, Carter “The Bullet” Rutherford (John Krasinski of “License to Wed”). The team starts running more college plays. The players start taking the game more seriously, cutting back on the liquor and late parties. Connelly is having less and less fun playing football.

Connelly and Rutherford get into fights over a pretty newspaper reporter, Lexie Littleton (Renée Zellweger of “Miss Potter”). She has her sights set on a bigger story, however, a story that becomes the center of a big controversy. Connelly is a pretty smart guy. He just might have some plans up his sleeve to win the big game and to win the heart of a pretty reporter. It isn't a great movie by any means, but it is fun. It rates a C+.

Click here for links to places to buy or rent this movie in video and/or DVD format, or to buy the soundtrack, posters, books, even used videos, games, electronics and lots of other stuff. I suggest you shop at least two of these places before buying anything. Prices seem to vary continuously. For more information on this film, click on this link to The Internet Movie Database. Type in the name of the movie in the search box and press enter. You will be able to find background information on the film, the actors, and links to much more information.

Copyright © 2008 Robert Roten. All rights reserved.
Reproduced with the permission of the copyright holder.

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