Film Review - 21

Cinema Release - April 08

 

It doesn't aim to be anything incredible and just allows itself to be a lot of fun with a great cast. Jim Sturgess again shows some great talent as the film showcases his naturalism and diversity. He does a superb job of leading the story and is really proving to be a true rising star.

 

Kevin Spacey and Laurence Fishburne are great to watch as the veterans of the film whose pasts lead to some twists and turns at the end that I really didn't see coming. But neither overstep their parts like some big stars do in supporting roles; they let Sturgess make the film the entertaining up-and-down story that it is. Kate Bosworth is incredibly sexy in a rather underwritten role.

 

In a small role, Aaron Yoo again delivers a hilarious performance as he did in last year's Disturbia. It's a little too long and I didn't really buy the fact that everything works out so well in the end, but overall it's just an enjoyable little film that demonstrates the strong talent of a great young actor

 

Review submitted by Mark Thomas from Mountain Ash

Film Review - Leatherheads

Cinema release - April 08

 

Dodge Connolly (George Clooney, God's gift to women on planet earth) is an aging football player in 1925. His team, the Duluth Bulldogs, succeeds mainly on Dodge's roster of trick plays. Unfortunately, professional football is under-appreciated in the 1920's and the Bulldogs are about to fold. However, Dodge gets the brilliant idea that if the team could acquire former Princeton gridiron standout, Carter Rutherford (John Krasinski), they could make the country take notice.

 

Since Carter is also a war hero, tickets sales would increase dramatically. However, Carter's slick agent, C.C. (Jonathan Pryce) insists on a big portion of the profits for his client's services. Dodge and company agree to the terms and everyone benefits. The country does change its attitude and fans begin to flock to the stadiums. But, in Chicago, a newspaper editor gets the scoop that Carter's war hero status may be questionable. He sends his ace reporter, Lexie (Renee Zellweger) to uncover the truth. As soon as the lovely Lexie hits the scene, both the younger Carter and the older Dodge take notice. Who will win her heart, even as she secretly plots to undermine the Bulldogs success with the skinny on Carter's "Sergeant York" reputation? This is a charming, high-spirited film that will entertain most audiences, football lovers or not. Naturally, the stars are a big reason for the movie's success, for Clooney and Zellweger are the cream of Hollywood. More on that later.

 

But, the lesser players here are very fine, with Krasinski just wonderful as the football hero and Pryce, especially, doing a great turn as an in-this-for-me agent. All other supporting cast members, although unknowns, are utter perfection. As a re-creation of the times, the film succeeds very well, as the costumes, sets and other assets are notably terrific. If there are any faults to the film, it is the uneven script and, yes, the direction. Clooney has proved he is a great director (please see Good Night and Good Luck) but he seems to have used too tentative a hand in this one. (Forgive me, George, for I adore you). The result is a nice story that probably could have been better. The editing, also, seems choppy at times. Then, too, Clooney is at fault, on occasion, with his direction of Zellweger and himself, as they both sporadically appear to be either trying too hard or not enough. Yet, as Gilda Radner used to say, "nevermind!" This is a flick that will please its audience every time, as it is, in the final analysis, clean, goodhearted fun for all. Do make time for Leatherheads. It is a crowd pleaser that makes all of the big plays, even as it occasionally fumbles the smaller ones.

 

Review submitted by Ceri Jenkin from Tonypandy