Leatherheads, the new film starring George Clooney and Renée Zellweger, is billed as a fictional account of the early days of football. Commercials geared toward men showcase a burly football player punching out a lineman, another lineman and then the referee before Clooney’s character turns to another teammate and remarks, “Oh, I like him.” It’s football and funny mixed together, even adding in television favorite John Krasinski (Jim from The Office).

 

But Leatherheads has a Secret with a capital S—it’s strong enough for a man but also made for a woman. Sure, the film uses muddy football players hitting and knocking each other down and even an old-fashioned fistfight (in three-piece suits, no less). But what the previews don’t necessarily highlight is a strong romantic comedy element. George and Renée exchange some of the wittiest cinematic barbs in years before falling madly in love, while another subplot involves a larger-than-life war hero story.

 

That’s not to say the movie isn’t enjoyable for men. It is a great afternoon matinee that will likely keep viewers smiling through the entire experience. Leatherheads literally transports you to a simpler time, thanks to a great ragtime musical score by Randy Newman, classic Hollywood acting by the major players and subdued color palettes on the film. The only hiccups keeping it from being a bona-fide family film is the use of the g-d profanity by Clooney and a few others.