Cute as a lap full of vomit
Kate and Leopold is a three-hanky movie
REVIEW
KATE AND LEOPOLD
Starring Meg Ryan, Hugh Jackman, Breckin Meyer, Liev Schreiber
Directed by James Mangold
Opens Friday, December 25
Check listings
Kate McKay (Meg Ryan) works at a soul-sucking market research job, and lives downstairs from Stuart (Liev Schreiber), her mad scientist ex-boyfriend who has recently discovered a time portal to 1876. On an expedition to the past, Stuart accidentally brings forward his great great grandfather Leopold (Hugh Jackman), Duke of Albany. Despite his 19th century British mores, Leopold quickly adjusts to 2001. Shaving foam! Taxi cabs! Toasters! And great heavens... modern women!
The trouble with Kate and Leopold is that it mistakes cuteness for charm and whimsy. Meg Ryan tries to tone it down by wearing power suits and acting cranky, but damn it if she isn't just adorable. As usual in time-travel stories, plot holes abound, and in some convoluted twist Kate ends up being her ex-boyfriend's great great grandmother. Cute!
Frequent references to Breakfast at Tiffany's only emphasize the vast chasm of quality between the two films. Perhaps a romantic comedy needs more than a sprinkling of fire escapes and "Moon River" to make it memorable.
None of the characters have characteristics, just general types: Kate is Cranky yet Vulnerable, Leopold is a Gentleman, Stuart is a Brilliant Clod. This movie has no point and no substance, but at the same time it isn't actually bad. It's slick, competent and generally pleasant. It's a big, fluffy ball of cute. Everyone should take a hanky to this movie, because half the audience will be sobbing, and the rest will be vomiting into their own laps. |
