Leatherheads

George Clooney goes for a touchdown but comes up short and settles for a field goal in this period piece about the early days of football. Co-starring Rene Zellweger, John Krasinski, and Jonathan Pryce, the film is well cast but it's fault lies in it's director, Mr. Clooney.

Trying to recreate a "screwball" comedy of the period, the banter between Mr. Clooney and Ms. Zellweger seems forced and both actors try to hard to compete with the great comic battle of the sexes that have come before them. As a director, Mr. Clooney's comic timing is way off and there are stretches of film that border on dull and unnecessary. The football sequences are fun but in short supply.

Peter Gerety adds some real spark late in the film as the new commissioner of Pro Football. It's a shame he has only a few scenes.

"Leatherheads" is worth a look if you're a football fan otherwise better saved for a DVD rental.