Eye Candy #236 - "Leatherheads"

Leatherheads:  An ode to the bygone era of the early days of professional football, before big money, shoulder pads, and face masks, an era of gimmick plays, small crowds, and little money.  George Clooney is Dodge Connally, manager/player for the Duluth Bulldogs (based on the real Duluth Eskimos and player “Blood” McNally) who, to help save the team financially, hires a young WW1 war hero “The Bullet” Rutherford (John Krasinski) to help boost attendance at the games in the fledgling professional league.  Throw into the mix a reporter (Renee Zellwegger) who is trying to get the scoop on the young war hero, and the ensuing love triangle that ensues, and you have the makings of a nice enough comedy that has a hard time deciding if it wants to be farce or sports-driven.  Some good, snappy dialogue in the script, particularly for Zellwegger, which I appreciate.  I almost thought for a moment that it sounded like  a Coen Bros. movie (except with y’know, the obligatory murder).  Some good supporting actors here, including my hero Stephen Root and Jonathan Pryce.  However, when the sum of its parts are brought together, this is very much a middle-of-the-road picture in terms of quality and entertainment.  Not enough faults to completely bash it, but not enough pluses to make it a truly exceptional film.  Still, if you’re a football fan, you may enjoy this.   Woodchuck sez, “You may like this. You may not.”