Sunday, April 6, 2008

by Ari

Leatherheads is light, old-fashioned fun. The critics have been way too harsh on Clooney's loving tribute to classic Hollywood comedies in the same way they were too harsh on Soderbergh's The Good German in late 2006. Leatherheads isn't a great film, but it's still charming and funny and filled with classy directorial touches. The performances are great by everyone involved, the romantic triangle works for what it is, the affection for the old days of sports is sweet and funny, and the period production values are beautifully done.

If you like this type comedy then you'll probably enjoy the film, if you don't like quick-fire exchanges and slapstick physical comedy then you'll probably find it slow and boring. I guess some people would say it's a film for a specific audience, but I think it's the most entertaining and accessible movie Clooney has directed. The humor doesn't always work as well as it would like to, but in the end it doesn't really matter. Clooney is great and he makes it work. Give it a chance.