Review: 'Kate & Leopold' A Perfect Romance
Ryan, Jackman Lovely As Romantic Leads
POSTED: 11:28 a.m. EST December 26, 2001
UPDATED: 3:16 p.m. EST December 26, 2001
'Kate & Leopold' (PG-13)
(Out of 4 popcorns)
The tagline for the romantic comedy "Kate & Leopold" makes the claim that "This Christmas, Chivalry Makes a Comeback."
A bold claim, true, but it couldn't have been any more on the money: "Kate & Leopold" is without question the most charming, feel-good romantic comedy of the year. It's easily the best romantic comedy Meg Ryan has done since the days of "When Harry Met Sally" and "Sleepless in Seattle," and it?s a movie that's going to send leading man Hugh Jackman's ("X-Men") career into the stratosphere.
Ryan stars as Kate, a modern-day focus-group executive with a career seemingly on the rise, and Jackman is the Duke of Albany, an ideal gentleman from the late 1800s who's suddenly thrust into 21st century New York through a time-traveling portal. She's grown cynical of love, while he holds onto its high ideals -- and they may have a chance to do so with each other. But the duke's time in the present day is very limited -- if he continues to exist, he may inadvertently alter the course of history.
On its face, "Kate & Leopold" doesn't appear original, but writer-director James Mangold (who co-wrote the script with Steven Rogers) has worked in some wonderfully fresh plot twists that keep this fish-out-of-water romance from going stale. Of course, he needed some actors to realize his vision, and Ryan and Jackman appear to be tailor-made for the roles: They're charming, charismatic and most importantly, they make you believe in what you're seeing.
Enhancing an already joyous mood is Breckin Meyer, who's hilarious as Kate's aspiring actor younger brother, and Liev Schreiber, Kate's genius boyfriend responsible for bringing Leopold to the modern day. "The West Wing's" Bradley Whitford also stars as Kate's lovelorn boss, but Mangold manages to inject a bit of likeability into what normally would be a stereotypical "jerk" role.
In an usual 11th hour move, studio Miramax changed a plot element involving Jackman and Schreiber's characters that delayed the film's release by a few days (to explain it would reveal too much). In the end it was a wise move, and it eliminates the film's only major flaw. It results in a perfect romance, which is alive and well in "Kate & Leopold" -- They're the ideal double date for a night at the movies.
(Out of 4 popcorns)
The tagline for the romantic comedy "Kate & Leopold" makes the claim that "This Christmas, Chivalry Makes a Comeback."
A bold claim, true, but it couldn't have been any more on the money: "Kate & Leopold" is without question the most charming, feel-good romantic comedy of the year. It's easily the best romantic comedy Meg Ryan has done since the days of "When Harry Met Sally" and "Sleepless in Seattle," and it?s a movie that's going to send leading man Hugh Jackman's ("X-Men") career into the stratosphere.
Ryan stars as Kate, a modern-day focus-group executive with a career seemingly on the rise, and Jackman is the Duke of Albany, an ideal gentleman from the late 1800s who's suddenly thrust into 21st century New York through a time-traveling portal. She's grown cynical of love, while he holds onto its high ideals -- and they may have a chance to do so with each other. But the duke's time in the present day is very limited -- if he continues to exist, he may inadvertently alter the course of history.
On its face, "Kate & Leopold" doesn't appear original, but writer-director James Mangold (who co-wrote the script with Steven Rogers) has worked in some wonderfully fresh plot twists that keep this fish-out-of-water romance from going stale. Of course, he needed some actors to realize his vision, and Ryan and Jackman appear to be tailor-made for the roles: They're charming, charismatic and most importantly, they make you believe in what you're seeing.
Enhancing an already joyous mood is Breckin Meyer, who's hilarious as Kate's aspiring actor younger brother, and Liev Schreiber, Kate's genius boyfriend responsible for bringing Leopold to the modern day. "The West Wing's" Bradley Whitford also stars as Kate's lovelorn boss, but Mangold manages to inject a bit of likeability into what normally would be a stereotypical "jerk" role.
In an usual 11th hour move, studio Miramax changed a plot element involving Jackman and Schreiber's characters that delayed the film's release by a few days (to explain it would reveal too much). In the end it was a wise move, and it eliminates the film's only major flaw. It results in a perfect romance, which is alive and well in "Kate & Leopold" -- They're the ideal double date for a night at the movies.
Copyright 2001 by Lifewhile.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
