Leatherheads (2008)

Director:

George Clooney

Writers (WGA):

Duncan Brantley (written by) &
Rick Reilly (written by)

Release Date:

4 April 2008 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Romance | Sport

Tagline:

In the beginning, the rules were simple. There weren't any.

Plot:

A romantic comedy set in the world of 1920s football, where the owner of a professional team drafts a strait-laced college sensation, only to watch his new coach fall for his fiancée.

Plot Keywords:

Reporter | Athlete | Press Conference | War Hero | Brawl

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

George Clooney	...	Jimmy 'Dodge' Connelly
Renée Zellweger	...	Lexie Littleton
John Krasinski	...	Carter Rutherford
Jonathan Pryce	...	C.C. Frazier
Stephen Root	...	Suds
Wayne Duvall	...	Coach Frank Ferguson
Keith Loneker	...	Big Gus Schiller
Malcolm Goodwin	...	Bakes
Matt Bushell	...	Curly
Tommy Hinkley	...	Hardleg
Tim Griffin	...	Ralph
Robert Baker	...	Stump
Nick Paonessa	...	Zoom
Nicholas Bourdages	...	Bug
Jack Thompson	...	Harvey

Also Known As:

Verlockendes Spiel, Ein (Germany)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for brief strong language.

Runtime:

114 min

Country:

USA | Germany

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

SDDS | DTS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

Germany:6 | South Korea:12 | UK:PG | Singapore:PG | Finland:K-11 | Australia:PG | Netherlands:6 | USA:PG-13 (certificate #44052) | Canada:PG (Alberta/British Columbia/Ontario) | Ireland:PG | Canada:G (Manitoba/Quebec) | Argentina:13

Filming Locations:

Anderson, South Carolina, USA

Company:

Casey Silver Productions

Trivia:

George Clooney watched many old Screwball-comedies in preparation for this movie.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: In the scene where they are being chased through the building after leaving the speakeasy, a glass and blue lit modern "exit" sign was clearly visible above the doorway. Also, modern fire sprinklers where seen in the ceiling of the same shot.

Quotes:

Jimmy 'Dodge' Connelly: So here we are.
Lexie Littleton: Not sure what the next move is.
Jimmy 'Dodge' Connelly: It happens.
Lexie Littleton: It's the first time for me.
Jimmy 'Dodge' Connelly: They all say that.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Siskel & Ebert & the Movies: (2008-04-05)" (2008)

I tried SO hard to like it, but could not....

I saw an advance screening of Leatherheads at NYU Movies101 last night.

I was so excited when it was announced that this movie was being shown.

I settled in my seat ready to enjoy another great movie that George Clooney directs and acts in.

All during the film, I thought to myself "Is it just me, or is this movie going nowhere?". I was trying SO hard to like it.

Well, it wasn't just me. I was surprised to see about ¾ of the full house of people I saw it with feel the same way, even the hosting professor.

As discussed after the screening, it had Top-Notch Scenic Design, Sound Track (by Randy Newman), Editing, Acting (Renee Zellweger was fabulous), Directing, Costumes, and Cinematography. It did not have a good story, and that is what made it fail. The script was written in the 1980's by two sports writers. Clooney has been carrying it around with him for over 2 decades. I suspect that the script was pretty much left the script alone from its origin.

The concept of the story is great, but the writing was horrible. Maybe George Clooney thought that the concept and grandeur would "carry" the film? It was disappointing to see George Clooney in a movie that did not compliment him in anyway. He does do comedy well, as he did in "O Brother, Where Art Thou?". How can you act well with terrible material? George's Directing was great.