As it can probably be told by most of my book reviews and some of my movie reviews, I like love stories. Yes I know they aren't realistic, but they are good for escaping from life for a bit. And I enjoy them. I like different types of love stories, from the more serious to light-hearted romantic comedies. I usually don't have really high expectations for the light-hearted type of love stories because they aren't meant to be serious. I just want to be entertained by them, which most do. I recently saw Kate and Leopold after waiting to see it for a while. I have read some mixed reviews on the movie, but I did enjoy it. It is a light-hearted romantic comedy that I think works. It isn't the best one I have ever seen, but it is far from the worst.

CAST

Meg Ryan - Kate McKay
Hugh Jackman - Leopold
Liev Schreiber - Stuart
Breckin Meyer - Charlie McKay
Natasha Lyonne - Darci
Bradley Whitford - J.J.

James Margold - Director

Kate and Leopold is rated PG-13. There is some swearing, but nothing extreme. The word that rhymes with luck never shows up in this movie. There are a few kisses, but no real love scenes. There is no nudity or partial nudity. This movie would probably be ok for older children to see, if it something they would be interested in. The movie is 121 minutes long.

PLOT

Stuart has been working on some time travel theories for a while. He discovers a portal that allows him to travel back in time. I think Stuart ended up in 1876 - I can't remember the exact year now. Stuart explores New York City and snaps some pictures on a tiny camera of different things, like a ceremony for the construction of the Brooklyn Bridge. Only part of the bridge was done, the construction was still going on. Leopold, the Duke of Albany, was at the ceremony and noticed Stuart taking pictures. Leopold tries to follow Stuart, but Stuart gets away. That night, Leopold has to go to a part at the home of his uncle. Leopold's family has been having some financial problems since his parents died. Leopold's Uncle wants him to marry a woman from a wealthy family. Leopold dances with several women who fit his Uncle's requirements. Leopold never says anything - he is too polite for that - but you can tell by the expression on his face that none of the women are appealing to him. Leopold is dancing with one of the women when he spots Stuart again. This time Leopold is able to follow Stuart. Leopold ends up coming back to the present day with Stuart. This, of course, causes some problems, including the fact that elevators stop working right. Leopold invented elevators. He was still working on the design when he went through the time portal. Since he wasn't there to finish his work on the elevator, it was like they weren't invented, so they stopped working. Or at least I think that is why the elevators stopped working in the present. Leopold ends up pretty much on his own after something happens to Stuart. Leopold has to figure out all the strange new things he encounters like toasters and toilets.

Kate McKay is a career woman that works in marketing. She is Stuart's ex girlfriend, and she lives in the same apartment building, on the floor below him. Her apartment is actually right under his. When Stuart tells her about finding the portal and bringing Leopold back, she doesn't believe him. She got fed up with his talk of time travel when they were dating. Even after she meets Leopold, she doesn't believe he is a Duke from the past. Charlie, Kate's younger brother shows up. He is an actor and he had been away for some sort of acting camp. He quickly becomes friends with Leopold. Charlie thinks that Leopold is an actor who is just staying in character all the time. Leopold ends up giving Charlie advice on how to treat women. Kate and Leopold end up spending more time together, getting to know each other better.

Kate's boss, J.J., returns from being in England. The company they work for is merging with another and J.J. is taking a position in England. Someone in the company will be getting a promotion and taking over J.J,'s position. Kate really wants the promotion, and is working hard to get it. Whenever she tries to talk t J.J. about that, or anything business related, he changes the subject to more personal topics. He sets up a dinner for them to discuss business, but during the dinner whenever Kate brings up business topics, he changes the topic right back to personal things. He seems to be hitting on her. Kate is not interested, but she is trying to handle it diplomatically since she has to work with him and he makes the decision abut the promotion. Leopold ends up meeting J.J., and notices right away what is going on. Leopold even tells J.J. off at one point, which upsets Kate. She is afraid that will cost her the promotion. Several other things happen in the movie, but you have to see it to find out what else happens.

Kate and Leopold is a light-hearted comedy, a chick flick. I really liked it. It was enjoyable to me, though I thought it could have been a bit better. This movie isn't for everyone. People who hate romantic comedies should avoid this movie. If you can't stand Meg Ryan or Hugh Jackman, then this probably isn't a good movie choice for you. Even some people who like romantic comedies may not like Kate and Leopold because it could have been better. It isn't the worst movie of this type I have ever seen, but it isn't the best either. I think people who like this type of movie could enjoy Kate and Leopold, as long as their expectations aren't too high. Fans of Meg Ryan should enjoy this movie. Kate and Leopold is a bit different from the other movies Hugh Jackman has been in, but he is good in this movie, so his fans might enjoy the movie. Well, his female fans can at least look at him and fantasize what it would be like if he dropped into their lives.

There are several funny moments in the movie. Many of them occur when Leopold is adjusting to life in a new century and figuring out how things are now done. I thought the scene when he was walking Stuart's dog and the little chat with the police woman was really funny. His reaction to what she told him was especially funny. The romance aspect of the movie deals with the relationship between Kate and Leopold. There are just a few kisses and an embrace or two that show up in the movie. No actual love scenes, so if those offend you, you don't need to worry with this movie. Also, like I mentioned earlier, the swearing is minimal in Kate and Leopold.

The movie is set in New York City. The entire movie takes place in and around the city. Most of the movie takes place in present day, but there are a few scenes that take place in the past, in Leopold's time. Those scenes are in New York City too, and the city looks right for the time period it is supposed to be. Since part of the movie takes place in the past, there are some period costumes in those scenes. Leopold also must wear his clothes from that time around in the present day. His clothes did make him stand out a bit at times. He did end up wearing some more modern clothes - like shirts, different slacks, a different coat - mixed in with his own clothes. I think Leopold helped himself to some clothes from Stuart's closet.

The acting was quite good by everyone. Breckin Meyer was very funny in his role as Charlie. Meg Ryan was good at Kate, but it seemed like she wasn't as good as she has been in other movies. Like something was missing. Maybe I feel that way because she has been in so many romantic comedies over the years. Perhaps it is time for her to move on to more roles in different types of movies. I don't mean that she shouldn't be in comedies anymore, just not the lead in romantic comedies. It seems like she is getting just a little too old to play these types of parts. She's not over the hill or anything like that, but she is getting a little old for this type of role. I did read the other day that she originally didn't want the role of Kate in the movie, but the director eventually convinced her. Maybe that is why something seemed missing from her performance this time. Also, I don't think she was looking her best in the movie. She is so skinny now she looked like a walking toothpick. I saw a little of when Harry Met Sally a few nights ago, and she looked so much better in that movie. She was thin, but not toothpick thin. I did like her hair a bit better in Kate and Leopold than in some other movies where it has been so short and standing up all over the place, but the haircut did look a bit choppy in places.

Hugh Jackman is wonderful. He is perfect as Leopold. He became the character. I thought he was very believable as someone who is out of place and trying to fit in. He projected an attitude of a high class royal. Leopold is a great character. He is chivalrous, well mannered, respectful, and polite. He treats Kate very well. He gives Charlie advice on how to treat women. Hugh Jackman received a well deserved Golden Globe nomination for the role of Leopold.

None of the characters are extremely well developed. The characters of Kate and Leopold are developed the most, but even they aren't that well developed. A few things about the past of each is learned during the movie. Leopold is a bit more developed than Kate. Charlie and Stuart are in scenes throughout the movie, but they aren't developed that much. Other characters, like Kate's assistant Darci, are only in a few scenes and really not developed at all.

CHARACTERS

Leopold - Duke of Albany. He is from the 1800s and he travels through time to present day with Stuart. Leopold has to figure out many things about life in this century by himself because something happens to Stuart. Leopold is very polite and chivalrous. He manages to adjust to life in a new century fairly well. He becomes friends with Charlie and spends time with Kate.

Kate McKay - She works in marketing and is hoping to get a promotion. She is Stuart's ex girlfriend. She got fed up with his work on time travel when they were still involved. She is very driven and dedicated to her career. She has to deal with the unwanted advances her boss makes, but she doesn't want to jeopardize her chance at the promotion. She ends up spending time with Leopold and she develops feelings for him.

Stuart - He has been working on theories related to time travel for a long time. He discovered a portal back into the 1800's. He uses the portal and explores New York City. Leopold follows him back home. Something happens to Stuart the day after he traveled through time. He was involved with Kate, but they broke up a few months before the movie took place. They live in the same apartment building. His apartment is right above Kate's.

Charlie - Kate's brother. He is an actor. He returns home after being gone for a little while and becomes friends with Leopold. Stuart helps Leopold with his courting of Kate.

Darci - Kate's assistant. Darci likes romance novels. She likes romantic things. She encourages Kate to become involved with Leopold.

J.J. - Kate's boss. He is taking a new position in England and will be choosing someone to fill his position. He seems to be more interested in hitting on Kate than discussing business.

I really enjoyed Kate and Leopold. It is a fun, light-hearted movie. People who like this type of movie should enjoy Kate and Leopold as long as they don't have sky high expectations.

Thanks for reading.



Recommended:
Yes

Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 9 - 12