'Leatherheads' (PG) Starring George Clooney & Renee Zellweger

Still the people’s superstar, George Clooney can’t seem to do wrong. A string of hit movies, an Oscar sitting on his mantelpiece, and an ability to flit from serious to light roles without suffering career-wise: it’s been a good decade for the former TV star. Especially considering he was once laughed out of Hollywood with what can only be described as an “unholy trinity” of flops at the beginning of his movie career (One Fine Day, The Peacemaker and the legendarily bad Batman & Robin).

After going all serious with Michael Clayton, he comes back to his smoothie persona with Leatherheads, a romantic comedy co-starring another Oscar regular, Renee Zellweger. The film is set in the 1920’s, in the early days of American football. One football coach (Clooney) is desperate to legitimise a sport that, at the time, was little more than a wrestling match with a ball in the middle. Recruiting a hot new player from the college scene (John Krasinski), who also happens to be a war hero, suddenly he faces a new challenge he never thought he’d face - for the affections of female sports reporter Lexie (Zellweger).

The story is light, to say the least. The football element is mainly put in to provide some slapstick, which is well executed but can get a little tedious. The love triangle storyline in itself throws up few surprises, however the charm of the leads means they just about get away with it. Clooney’s direction suits the period, as he makes the film feel like an old farce comedy. The birth of professional football in America serves as a backbone for the film, but ultimately those looking for an accurate historical account may be disappointed.

Performances are varied. Clooney at times seems a bit old to be playing an athlete, especially when opposite Krasinski. However Clooney has the ‘rom-com’ routine down to a fine art by now, and so in the scenes opposite Zellweger he’s in his element. He’s no slouch with the slapstick, either, and his deadpan delivery is often what makes the film enjoyable. Zellweger plays the part she played in Down With Love, albeit a little toned down. She does 20’s glamour well and clashes brilliantly with Clooney’s charm offensive. When it comes down to it, however, she is simply the trophy for the lead men to fight over, and despite a sexism sub-plot her role doesn’t really rise above that.

It’s slickly made and the leads provide enough A-List glamour (aside from Krasinski, who looks a little overwhelmed at times) to raise the bar, but it feels like last year’s Ocean’s 13 - a movie Clooney makes to maintain his profile, but doesn’t really put his heart into. An entertaining film for those who like their comedies light, but one that doesn’t take any risks or spring any shocks.