Movie Review: Leatherheads
posted at 1:14 pm on April 5, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
Many filmgoers lament that Hollywood doesn’t make movies like they did in the Golden Age. Screwball romantic comedies have long since passed the scene, replaced by gross-outs like American Pie and There’s Something About Mary. Even normal romantic comedies seem handicapped by modern cynicism or burdened by political correctness, as in the entertaining but message-laden You’ve Got Mail and especially Two Weeks Notice.
As an antidote, Leatherheads tries to reach back to the Gable-Lombard era with a period piece set in 1925, when professional football had most definitely not captured the heart of America. George Clooney and Renee Zellweger play hard-bitten but ultimately likable people trying to exploit a war hero that may not be everything he claims. It succeeds in capturing the bantering style and the overall feel of classic screwball comedies and is entertaining, even if it seems a little uneven and contrived at times.
Clooney plays Dodge Connelly, a middle-aged football player looking for a way to rescue his league, who sees a fortune in All-American Princeton player and war hero George Rutherford. Meanwhile, ace reporter Lexie Littleton (Zellweger) gets sent by her editor to dig up dirt on Rutherford as a way to sell papers. Rutherford’s agent CC Frazier (Jonathan Pryce) may be as devious as Dodge and Lexie in trying to protect his investment.
It’s a great set-up that does pay off, but it passes through some cliches to get there. We have a Big Game, a Love Triangle that doesn’t really work well, a Chase, a Bar Fight, and an odd Deus ex machina of a league commissioner that doesn’t reflect history at all. (The NFL, despite the film’s insistence that it had no rules, had presidents from their inception and no commissioner until the 1940s.) It also gets a little slow in the second half while some of the plot lines get resolved. However, the explanation of Rutherford’s war-hero status is hilarious, and it winds up playing an interesting and clever role in the climax.
Leatherheads won’t win any awards, but like its protagonists, it’s aiming for more modest goals. It recalls the spirit of classic movies like The Front Page and It Happened One Night even if it doesn’t approach them in stature. Clooney, Zellweger, and the rest of the cast are charming as well-intentioned rogues, and audiences will find it entertaining enough to justify spending $9 at the box office. With the exception of some mildly rough language, it’s family-friendly and will have you smiling as you leave the theater. Unfortunately, Hollywood doesn’t make movies like that very often any more.
Here’s the trailer:
Blowback
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I go here every time I’m interested in seeing a movie for their take.
jgapinoy on April 5, 2008 at 1:18 PM
thanks for the great review! i love the ol screwball comedies, and if it were anyone but Clooney, I would line up to see this. But, it’s Clooney, I can’t stand him, I just can’t!
AdrianG on April 5, 2008 at 1:18 PM
Bulletin: none of them do.
jgapinoy on April 5, 2008 at 1:22 PM
Clooney? I’ll pass.
Dusty on April 5, 2008 at 1:26 PM
I wouldn’t worry too much that the film ignore historical fact. Hollywood has been doing that in their documentaries and historical pics for years.
RDuke on April 5, 2008 at 1:26 PM
Dated to be classy or not, this looks and feels like a disaster.
Vizzini on April 5, 2008 at 1:28 PM
i dont think he meant “work” like that. He means in terms of the movie itself.
lorien1973 on April 5, 2008 at 1:39 PM
Come on. Oh Brother where art thou is one of the funniest movies ever.
lorien1973 on April 5, 2008 at 1:40 PM
I have always liked George Clooney (as an actor), and wife and I might see this tonight. Clooney reminds me a great deal of Cary Grant (another star of screwball comedies from yesteryear).
HeIsSailing on April 5, 2008 at 1:43 PM
lorien:
Clooney was fine in this, but the movie itself is vastly over-rated (IMO).
HeIsSailing on April 5, 2008 at 1:45 PM
Zellweger was on David Letterman the other night. Her mouth was the only thing moving since her face is pulled tighter than Nancy Pelosi’s.
SouthernGent on April 5, 2008 at 1:58 PM
Clooney = no see for me.
Laddy on April 5, 2008 at 1:59 PM
Why, you must be a Dapper Dan Man!
Weight of Glory on April 5, 2008 at 2:01 PM
Come on people, stop supporting Hollywood, especially talentless, narcissistic, anti-American scum like Clooney.
Grayson on April 5, 2008 at 2:03 PM
If it puts any money in Clooney’s pocket, I’ll pass also.
lowandslow on April 5, 2008 at 2:03 PM
I’m glad you wrote this up, Capt. My wife and I were just talking about it last night and our hope was that it would be just as you described it. You mentioned that it had to go through some clichés, but I have come to find that refreshing. So many movies are trying to do something different and edgy, that a little predictability here and there goes a long way in making a movie enjoyable to watch. Thanks again for the write up.
Weight of Glory on April 5, 2008 at 2:06 PM
Heh!
Weight of Glory on April 5, 2008 at 2:08 PM
I won’t be seeing it. I even have three free passes to movies and they’re collecting dust. Movies SUCK now. I have no interest in this thing. Clooney is not Cary Grant or Jimmy Stewart or even old school Mel Gibson. He’s a mediocre actor who relies fully on mugging for the camera, head bobbing and facial tics. How they decided he was a movie star is beyond me – he never should have left “ER”. Or maybe he should play Rick in the misbegotten rumored remake of “Casablanca” – although I suspect even Madonna can out act him.
P.S. If one more actor from today is compared to an actor from the Golden Age of Movies, I’m gonna go postal.
mjk on April 5, 2008 at 2:11 PM
mjk:
You nailed it. Like I said – he reminds me a lot of Cary Grant.
HeIsSailing on April 5, 2008 at 2:14 PM
That’s odd, but not really. I just read on Drudge a terrible review of this movie.
But in any event, I will pass, as I have been doing on most movies. I can’t separate the person from the actor. And he is no Cary Grant!! Cary Grant was marvelous!!
I never knew that Clooney made that despicable remark about Charlton Heston’s alzheimer condition and said he didn’t care and something like it was coming to him because of his stance with the NRA!! I thought Clooney was looney backing Obama, but this is plain cruel.
Conservatives R Us on April 5, 2008 at 2:33 PM
Clooney? No thanks.
He never should have left Roseanne. THAT was the pinnacle of his career.
CrimsonFisted on April 5, 2008 at 2:37 PM
From the looks of the trailer, Clooney is playing himself. I loved “Oh Brother Where Art Thou” for this very reason. Clooney did an ourstanding job playing himself.
Craniac on April 5, 2008 at 2:38 PM
George Clooney may not be Jimmy Stewart, but John Krasinski could get pretty close. I loves me some Jim Halpert. Back me up, girls.
Also, it’s about time Clooney went back to comedy. He has really good comedic timing, especially with slapstick, which is much harder than it looks.
Tanya on April 5, 2008 at 2:43 PM
[lorien1973 on April 5, 2008 at 1:40 PM]
I’d never heard of that movie, lorien, so I had to look it up. I see it has a fairly high score at IMDB, so I’ll put it right at the top of my other list of movies to watch: Actors and Actresses I Won’t Pay A Dime To See. :-)
Dusty on April 5, 2008 at 2:48 PM
“Love” triangles are not entertaining to me.
BTW, love has nothing to do with it.
jgapinoy on April 5, 2008 at 3:01 PM
Hmm, I might see it. The personal is not the political.
Looks different even if they didn’t pull it quite off.
Rick Reilly, Sports Illustrated, is one of the writers. He’s enormously talented but you want to hit him with a newspaper sometimes when he starts to go on one of his stories.
SteveMG on April 5, 2008 at 3:05 PM
Meh, I’ll pass. Can’t stand Clooney, another mediocre actor who ought to stay out of politics.
4shoes on April 5, 2008 at 3:05 PM
this blog ought to review John Adams the HBO series. It is very good so far, especially the Independence episode.
jp on April 5, 2008 at 3:07 PM
Just one small detail you left out, Ed:
Clooney is on the no-give-money-to-anymore list.
wordwarp on April 5, 2008 at 3:11 PM
I just got back from seeing it. Not half bad. The falling asleep in the trench and the Germans yelling “surrender” is the best scene of the movie. A lot of sports movies cliches for sure, but still a funny/cute movie. And if you consider the politics of the leading actors when you go to the movies, you won’t be seeing anymore movies. Clooney is still gonna be raking in the millions, whether or not you see his movie.
malan89 on April 5, 2008 at 3:27 PM
This movie was really good, really funny. It was definitely worth the money!
Trtle2001 on April 5, 2008 at 3:27 PM
I dont care if its the best movie in the history of all movies.
George Clooney (among countless others) will never see a PENNY of my money nor will they suck up more than two seconds of my valuable time.
Throw the celebrities on the fire and raise Joe McCarthy from the dead.
Declare war on Hollywood. I did.
NickTx on April 5, 2008 at 3:36 PM
The problem is Clooney, personally. He’s a rich, smooth, playboy with too many women. Guys for the most part hate him. The movie will flop.
And yeah, Zelwegger? Too much plastic surgery and botox.
whiskey_199 on April 5, 2008 at 3:42 PM
I love John Krasinski! He’s cute, funny, and a sort of Jimmy Stewart. You’re right, Tanya!
Lady Jane on April 5, 2008 at 3:50 PM
Sigh. Some one dimensional people drag politics into EVERYTHING.
I love old movies, and I’m looking forward to this one.
Another movie which gets the “Screwball comedy dialogue” right is: “The Hudsucker Proxy”. Jennifer Jason Leigh is excellent, and…oh wait! Tim Robbins is in that! Oh my goodness! He’s a (whisper) Liberal! Forget I mentioned it! Cross it off your list! Burn before reading!
Doug on April 5, 2008 at 4:03 PM
Will do.
NickTx on April 5, 2008 at 4:04 PM
Speaking of Hollywood they have another Iraq war movie starring Matt Damon called Green Zone
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_Zone_(film)
warren on April 5, 2008 at 4:10 PM
I agree.
crabtree on April 5, 2008 at 4:10 PM
lets try this link instead
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0947810/
just from this I don’t hold out much hope.
Greengrass said of the project’s contemporary relevance, “Film shouldn’t be disenfranchised from the national conversation. It is never too soon for cinema to engage with events that shape our lives.”
its suppose to about the book Imperial Life in the Emerald city but where do they get WMD’s from this?
Imperial Life in the Emerald City: Inside Iraq’s Green Zone is a 2006 book by Rajiv Chandrasekaran that takes a critical look at the civilian leadership of the American reconstruction project in Iraq. Centered mainly on the actions of the Coalition Provisional Authority, within the Green Zone of Baghdad, Chandrasekaran details the absurdities, incompetence, and bureaucratic failings which prevented a timely transfer of power to the Iraqis and bred the growing insurgency, as well as the idealism and willful self-delusion that prevented American leadership from seeing the true state of affairs in Iraq.
Within the Preface to the book, Chandrasekaran makes it a point to state that his work does not take a side for or against the United States’ invasion of Iraq, simply treating it as a given, and instead focuses purely on examining how the post-invasion occupation was handled.
funny but I didn’t see WMDs in that did any one else?
warren on April 5, 2008 at 4:23 PM
Wow. It sounds like a movie that I would actually want to see. And Hollywood made it? Just now? Really?
indythinker on April 5, 2008 at 4:27 PM
You know they filmed most of that movie in this area. Most of the ‘classic’ architecture that you see in the movie is buildings and structures around the Greensboro, Winston Salem NC area. The courthouse, our war memorial stadium, and the depot were filmed here last summer. Some locals were extras and all.
I don’t go to movies much because I’m lame like that, but I thought I’d include this info in the discussion. This wasn’t actually Hollywood, it was NC. heh.
ThackerAgency on April 5, 2008 at 4:28 PM
Its best to BOYCOTT HOLLYWOOD all the way around. Hollywood is a disease. Cut it off.
I havent posted in awhile, but its hard for me to believe the current HA community would be giving time and money to Hollyweird.
Will you invest in Berkley next, or perhaps attend a Streisand concert?
NickTx on April 5, 2008 at 4:30 PM
Looks stupid. I’ll pass on it.
Claypigeon on April 5, 2008 at 4:54 PM
Unless you are a Southerner, then it was merely insulting (oh gee, WHAT a surprise..movies making fun of Southerners)
Clooney could be the last actor on earth and not one penny of mine will go towards seeing him in a movie. Ever.
labwrs on April 5, 2008 at 4:59 PM
I really liked Oh Brother where art thou.
ThackerAgency on April 5, 2008 at 5:02 PM
And this is a bad thing? If something sucks, it sucks. It’s not just that I can’t stand the actor’s politics; that would be reason enough for me to avoid seeing movies simply on principle, but I also find movies themselves boring as heck. I’m twenty three and much prefer the old movies that came out long before I was born to the new ones supposedly geared towards me. Give me Stewart, Bogart, Lamarr, or Gable any day. Clooney and the rest of today’s hacks can rot for all I care.
Grayson on April 5, 2008 at 5:05 PM
I agree. I thought I was the only one that thought it was insulting.
Like I have mentioned on this forum before… It’s ok to bash white men, white boys and Southerners. For some reason, in America, this became a generally accept practice of racism and bigotry.
Claypigeon on April 5, 2008 at 5:11 PM
I love Jim Halpert! Heck, he was the reason I wanted to see this, but once I saw Georgie in the preview, I knew I had to pass. A shame too.
Dubn8tr on April 5, 2008 at 5:15 PM
For all his political piles of crap, Clooney has his share of gems. I loved him in From Dusk Till Dawn, and I even thought he added to One Fine Day. Then, of course, Oh Brother, Where Art Thou was fantastic.
This looks like it might be fun.
As for Southerners pissed about OBWAT, if you can’t laugh at yourselves, you’re missing out. They weren’t trying to be insulting, they were being mild with the stereotypes.
Plus, Constant Sorrow was a hell of a tune.
MadisonConservative on April 5, 2008 at 5:17 PM
Well that’s because they deserve it silly!
Seriously though, I made that very point once in a college class. The looks I got…you would’ve thought I said the earth was flat.
Grayson on April 5, 2008 at 5:17 PM
It could be proclaimed the greatest movie in the history of Hollywood and I would not see it….not even for free on TV. Like others here, my list of “I would not contribute one nickle that might end up in their pockets” stars gets longer every week. Clooney has long been up there near the top of that list. But then again, I didn’t care for him even before he started shooting his mouth off. He is GEORGE CLOONY you know and he has made a career of playing GEORGE CLOONEY acting like a doctor, shyster, soldier, whatever. In the end he is always GEORGE CLOONY. Forgive me if I have always failed to be impressed.
dustoffmom on April 5, 2008 at 5:36 PM
I loved “Oh, Brother, Where Art Thou”, but DANG! Why does ‘screwball’ have to mean casting you-know-who?!?!?
tree hugging sister on April 5, 2008 at 5:42 PM
Yeah they do. I think the french have a word for it . . .
- The Cat
P.S. I kid I kid
MirCat on April 5, 2008 at 6:12 PM
Clooney politics aside, I saw this last night and easily laughed more for my $7.95 than I have in a while. Cute movie if you cannot get past Clooney’s politics you are missing out.
JHL on April 5, 2008 at 6:54 PM
I may be missing out, but those who complain about Hollyweird politics but continue to contribute to their cause could easily be called hypocrites IMO.
Have fun at the movies…send my regards to Babs, Rosie, George, Timmy and Susan, Meryl, Penn and the rest of their talentless, worthless, anti-american associates.
NickTx on April 5, 2008 at 7:07 PM
Maybe America really DOES deserve Obama
NickTx on April 5, 2008 at 7:10 PM
Most southerners I know got a kick out of Oh Brother Where Art Thou. I’ve even heard some say that you really have to be from the South to appreciate it properly.
Clooney’s politics, on the other hand, are all too typical of Hollywood.
theregoestheneighborhood on April 5, 2008 at 8:18 PM
Clooney is on the no-give-money-to-anymore list.
wordwarp on April 5, 2008 at 3:11 PM
Pretty much sums it up for me.. Clooney & Penn top the “no go” list for me.
Keemo on April 5, 2008 at 8:31 PM
I won’t pay money to see Clooney.
gatewaypundit on April 5, 2008 at 8:31 PM
Besides being a hater of everyone right of center, Clooney is also a spoiled, ungrateful jerk. Remember when he was being given an award, & it broke, & he had an obscenity-laden fit?
jgapinoy on April 5, 2008 at 8:34 PM
Hollywood is trying to force us into thinking Clooney is the next Gary Cooper.
anyone buyin it?
Drunk Report on April 5, 2008 at 9:03 PM
Announcing my movie debut. Yes I, Guardian, am in this movie! I answered a casting call for a bit part here in Charlotte last April when I first got back from Iraq. I’m not in this trailer though. :(
Guardian on April 5, 2008 at 9:13 PM
People didn’t have much of a choice:
21 was the #1 movie at the box office.
I agree. I only got to see the first two parts because of the HBO free weekend a couple of weeks ago. Paul Giamatti is excellent in it.
kiakjones on April 5, 2008 at 9:53 PM
Why do movies with hateable actors and bad messages always have such a seductive, dazzling veneer?
Capitana on April 5, 2008 at 11:04 PM
John Adams is indeed excellent. I am sorry that this worthy production is on a ‘pay’ channel that limits those who can see it for themselves. Like most things really worth watching for a positive message, there is a decided, and most welcome, lack of the so called “A” list actors/governmental ‘experts’.
dustoffmom on April 5, 2008 at 11:14 PM
from bio on GC’s web site:
During World War II many Hollywood stars toured military bases and other scenes of troop concentrations, providing any entertainment they could for “the boys.” Cooper signed on for a five-week tour of army, navy, and marine bases in New Guinea. At a loss for material, he consulted Spencer Tracy, who had just returned from a similar engagement. “You gotta sing,” Tracy told him. “The worse you are, the more they eat it up.” The tone-deaf Tracy had sung “Pistol-Packin’ Mama”, a pseudo-Western nonsense song with almost no melody but a whole lot of color, to standing ovations.
(What a shame no footage appears to have been shot of that!)
“Meeting those soldiers in the mud, the rain, the jungle, and trying to reassure them that the folks back home are proud of them and conscious to some extent of what they’re doing for America,” Cooper said. “The boys are so appreciative of the slightest little thing you try to do for them, it’s almost pitiful. Those kids’ll be sitting out on a muddy hillside and wouldn’t think of moving an inch until the show’s over. Under those conditions, you rise above yourself and give it everything you’ve got.”
Somehow I just can’t imagine Clooney volunteering to do something like that or to ever, ever such heartfelt words! TThe ‘new’ Cooper? Not by a long shot!
dustoffmom on April 5, 2008 at 11:24 PM
Just writting Cloonys’ name gags me. Zellwigger is another one that I refuse see. I started my list in the 60′s with hanoi jane and in the last five years it has grown to include just about everyone in hollyweird. (I sometimes wonder how Henry Fonda really felt about his daughter, the traitor.) The John Adams series is terrific. It should be required in every school in the country. The dvd will go on sale in June and I intend to get it for my grandkids. That’s the only way they will get an honest take on the founding fathers! It has been a long time since I’ve been to a movie. Harry Potter and Shrek are the last ones I’ve paid money to see. I will not pay good money to see an America bashing, narcissistic, over paid, ignorant idiot looking down his nose at his country, while taking full advantage of all the freedoms America guarentees
Proudvet on April 5, 2008 at 11:35 PM
Fun to read all your comments. A friend is copying the John Adams series for me. Can’t wait to see it. Sorry, I do not waste my money on babs, clooney, and all the other anti Americans. There is way to many things to do in this life without spending an hour or two being insulted with obscene language, off colour jokes and sexual inuendos. Cars was the last show I saw in a movie theatre and I loved it. I guess you can guess my intellectual capacity. Did I mention I had 2 little ones with me?
Bambi on April 5, 2008 at 11:38 PM
john krasinski rules
the office rules
go office
go office drinking game!
blatantblue on April 6, 2008 at 12:33 AM
MadisonConservative on April 5, 2008 at 5:17 PM
The music was great.
Johan Klaus on April 6, 2008 at 2:24 AM
Whoa, that’s really hitting below the belt.
You have to admit though, she gave a good performance in Velveeta…I mean Evita.
labrat on April 6, 2008 at 4:22 AM
What do you mean? You have a family, as I do, and you want to keep them out of the Hollywood, pop culture cesspool as long as you can. Never be ashamed of that. Besides:
Lightning McQeen rules!!! Ka Chau!!!
He did what in his cup!?!?
-Mater
labrat on April 6, 2008 at 4:32 AM
You guys cut ‘ol Looney some slack.
He is an official “messenger of peace” for the UN in Darfur, and we all know that since then, the place has become a model for peace and…um…he has good intentions.
labrat on April 6, 2008 at 5:12 AM
I love old movies too, and the old actors and actresses that made Hollywood – Hollywood; those who were patriots and were not ashamed to let you know it.
I miss John Wayne and Audie Murphy. I miss war films where the American military was not portrayed as imperialistic rapists and murderers. No, they were not always technically perfect, and were at times corny, but the good guys were…good, and the bad guys were, well, bad. Was that always the reality, no, but at least you didn’t walk away confused about which was which, ala Oliver Stone.
I think most of us “one-dimensional” people would like very much to simply be entertained by these alleged actors and actresses of today without politics being an issue. But, alas, they are the ones who can’t seem to leave it out of the equation.
labrat on April 6, 2008 at 5:34 AM
For those of us who appreciate dignity in a movie star, the contrast between Clooney and any of the Old Hollywood stars is striking. After Clooney mocked Charlton Heston’s Alzheimer’s, Heston responded by saying, “It just goes to show that sometimes class does skip a generation.”
Rest in peace, Mr. Heston.
DrMagnolias on April 6, 2008 at 7:49 AM
Oh Brother where Art Thou is a classic despite Clueney.
Hollywood used to be run by the studios who owned the actors and told the the shallow, confused, ego maniacs how to act and what to say off the set. Now we have the same sort of people being quoted on their opinions. There is the rub.
Hening on April 6, 2008 at 7:53 AM
Johan,
You might already be aware, but Gillian Welsh was a force behind the music, and offers some of her own music that reflects some of the ‘Old Timey’ sound. Good stuff, especially “Orphan Girl”.
Hening on April 6, 2008 at 8:03 AM
I’ve stopped watching movies. My theory is, if they can’t support the troops, why should I support them?
DSkinner on April 6, 2008 at 8:34 AM
I look at it in a very capitalist perspective. Clooney provides a service which I enjoy, I will pay my money to see him and he is free to spend it as he sees fit. Just like I would not expect my boss to tell me what my politics should be.
Squid Shark on April 6, 2008 at 10:06 AM
Hmm, George loony Cloony stars in a movie that is somehow appropriate for him… He is in a movie where he plays will balls… Other peoples balls… Hmmm imagine that Cloony likes to play with other men’s balls… Funny how movies sometime say the strangest things about those who star in them… As for seeing any piece of cr@p with Cloony in it… Not on your life…
doriangrey on April 6, 2008 at 10:18 AM
Ahh another mature argument….
Nothing like stopping to sexual jokes, gay jokes at that.
Squid Shark on April 6, 2008 at 10:49 AM
Someone needs to give me a list, a blacklist if you will, of unacceptable entertainers. That way, I can remain ideologically pure when I venture to the cinema. I certainly would not like to enjoy myself under false pretenses because the lead holds a different political view and I was not made aware of it.
Krydor on April 6, 2008 at 10:53 AM
Mr Clooney,
Are you or were you ever, a member of the Democratic Party
Squid Shark on April 6, 2008 at 10:57 AM
the chickens are coming home to roost.
any film that employs a hate spewing, socialist star is suffering.
go back to apocalypse now, ruined forever by martin sheen.
jimmer on April 6, 2008 at 11:17 AM
When some actor feels the need to tell us all what they think about everything political, they run the risk of alienating a good share of audience. I used to see movies with Clooney, Robin Williams, Julia Roberts, Ben Afleck et al, but once their political views annoyed me, I can’t enjoy watching them do their job.
Hammertime on April 6, 2008 at 11:18 AM
Well, it looks like it tanked.
“Leatherheads” fumbles for # 3.
lowandslow on April 6, 2008 at 1:11 PM
Actors work for salaries. Clooney has no doubt already been paid and so going to see it won’t give him any additional money. The studio will get more money yes but Clooney no.
aengus on April 6, 2008 at 1:55 PM
Actually, I thought Oh Brother Where Art Thou? was one of the best “Southern” movies released in recent memory. Awesome soundtrack to boot.
(born and raised in Gainesville, GA)
Unless you prefer that we’re only portrayed as Mississippi Burning or In The Heat Of The Night or Rosewood or etc.
Techie on April 6, 2008 at 2:43 PM
Not necessarily true. Each actor/film is different. Some opt for straight salary, many of the bigger moneymakers often take a smaller initial salary for a later cut of the receipts and residuals. Particularly DVD sales. Even if they don’t make another nickle, if the film makes money it could raise their asking price for the next one. Ergo….I have my ‘list’. :)
dustoffmom on April 6, 2008 at 4:02 PM
Thanks dustoffmom. I hadn’t considered that.
aengus on April 6, 2008 at 4:50 PM
Sometimes a movie is just a movie,
Sometimes a banana is just a banana.
If I limited my movie choices by cutting out all movies starring actors with whom I disagree politically, soon I would have nothing to watch.
It goes further-I won’t denigrate the abilities of an actor simply because I dislike his politics. Clooney is a fine actor. Jodie Foster is great, too-should I boycott (girlcott?)
her movies simply because she’s not Conservative?
Doug on April 6, 2008 at 6:13 PM
Clooney won’t be immediately affected by whether we see the movie or not, but his next flick won’t pay him as much if this bombs.
BTW, Leatherheads is officially a bomb. Sacked for a 12-yd loss.
jgapinoy on April 6, 2008 at 7:17 PM
If you’re passionate about your beliefs, it will show up in every area of life. I can’t sit back & enjoy watching someone who hates & opposes everything I believe in.
jgapinoy on April 6, 2008 at 7:19 PM
It’s fitting that Clooney’s effort bombed on the weekend of Chuck Heston’s death, since boy George found Heston’s Alzheimer’s Disease something to joke about.
jgapinoy on April 6, 2008 at 7:39 PM
In the way of things, movie stars have always been more than just actors. They represented our fantasies on screen, as if we ourselves were playing the part. And for that, they were idolized and rewarded with a lifestyle beyond what most people can imagine. For an actor to be one thing on a screen and someone not worthy of respect in real life severs the identification people feel with their celebrities. Heroes on screen became heros off screen, like John Wayne. But lowlifes off screen don’t become heroes on screen. I don’t begrudge any actor expressing his or her views as we all do, but they have to realize it comes at a cost.
NNtrancer on April 6, 2008 at 8:05 PM
Bitch all you want about spoiled airhead brat actors — and they are — but Hollywood is a uniquely successful American export industry. So successful that foreign box-office is now larger than domestic, which accounts for the less-than-patriotic bent of recent movies. Still, if it really did suddenly destroy itself and no longer exist we would be culturally diminished.
miles on April 6, 2008 at 8:22 PM
To Doug and others that feel the same way…..I do not boycott these people because of their political views, I boycott them because they pontificate endlessly about their dislike of America and conservatives in particular. They use their status as celebrities to tell the world how much better they are than the rest of America because they CARE. They use their status to tell the world how BAD America is…a la dixie ditzies…especially how awful and horrible our president and our political system is.
I could really give a flying flip what their beliefs are as long as they keep their mouths shut. Robin Williams doesn’t agree with our policies but he doesn’t bad mouth America either! I WILL support him and those that give our country the honor and respect that it deserves! NOBODY in these modern times has EVER done as much for the betterment of this world as the American People! I’m not trying to toot my own horn, but we are the only ones in this whole wide world that gives a damn what happens to those who can’t help themselves!
Proudvet on April 6, 2008 at 9:04 PM
I dont spend my money on a movie or anything with Loony, err Clooney in it or involved in it.
tx2654 on April 7, 2008 at 8:47 AM
my wife and I saw it Friday night, thought it was pretty good. B+
offroadaz on April 7, 2008 at 10:14 AM
Haha! Thanks, y’all. :o)
Tanya on April 7, 2008 at 10:53 AM
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