The Skyliner

Issue date: 4/9/08 Section: Entertainment & Features

Christy Putnam
Staff Writer


There was a time when pro football was laughable. This is the setting for the new movie Leatherheads featuring George Clooney, John Krasinski and Renee Zellweger.

The movie begins as Carter "The Bullet" Rutherford, played by Krasinski, erupts into laughter after reporters suggest that his next move after college football would be to turn pro.

Jimmy "Dodge" Connelly, played by Clooney, has been trying to survive playing pro football for 20 years. But, pro football at this time has no fans, no funds and no popularity.

Meanwhile in Chicago, Lexie Littleton, played by Zellweger, is asked to write a story on "The Bullet", and how he is really not the war hero everyone thinks he is.

As the movie progresses, it does not turn into other football movies, such as Remember the Titans or Friday Night Lights. Instead, this movie is a romantic comedy centered on the private and professional lives of these three characters.

Pro football, at this time, is lacking in rules and organization, but, when Rutherford comes to play for the team, the crowds come with him, giving him the chance to shine. Littleton also comes along for the trip to dig up the dirt on Rutherford.

Soon Littleton and Connelly become the center of the movie with their interesting and quirky love relationship. However, when Littleton finally decides to print the story, things turn ugly with Rutherford and Connelly playing at opposite ends of the field.

Directed by Clooney, the movie was filmed in many local areas such as Anderson, SC, and even on North Greenville's campus.

The movie is rated PG-13 for brief strong language and it runs for about 114 minutes.

Overall, the movie was funny and enjoyable. Probably not your ideal type of guy movie due to the lack of actual football playing time, but there are enough moments in there to make even the guys grin in the fourth quarter.

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