Leatherheads (Cert PG) Cinema Review

12:03pm Friday 30th May 2008

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GEORGE Clooney seems to have the perfect face for films set in America's bygone era.

Whether it is playing an officer in war epic The Thin Red Line, an escaped convict in 1930s-set O Brother Where Art Thou?, or a TV producer in Cold War drama Good Night, and Good Luck, Clooney excells in slotting convincingly into the period, then dominating every scene he is in.

Of course, many women would say that Gorgeous George', as some celebrity rags have nicknamed him, has a perfect face for any occasion.

But that is to deny him deserved praise for being a talented and versatile actor (Ocean's Twelve and Batman and Robin aside).

His latest film, Leatherheads will never be held in the same high regard as some of those mentioned above but it is an enjoyably funny two hours of cinema all the same.

Clooney plays Dodge Connolly, the veteran captain of struggling American Football team, the Duluth Bulldogs.

In the 1920s Midwest, the professional game is struggling to bring in the crowds while college football still packs them in.

Connolly, a natural born chancer, seizes on the opportunity to bring pin-up college quarter- back and apparent war hero Carter The Bullet' Rutherford to the team.

But Connolly and Rutherford do not have it all their own way thanks to the interest of determined Chicago Tribune reporter Lexie Littleton, played by the equally classic-looking Renee Zellweger, who believes the Bullet's' hyped-up tales of heroism are a dud.

And so begins a slapstick tale of love rivalry, sports politics and the clammer for celebrity.

While Leatherheads will never win the movie equivalent of the Super Bowl, it just about scrapes home for a touchdown.

7/10 Enjoyable.