Freaktana
A Major Disappointment
CrawlerChunky
In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.
Billy Ollie
Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable
grobanworldnews
A British aristocrat from 1876 time travels to 2001 NYC. An interesting premise, but the movie falls flat thanks to a mediocre script by James Mangold and Steven Rogers. The big problem is that there is no chemistry between Leopold (Hugh Jackman) and Kate (Meg Ryan). They fall in love just because the script requires them to, not because there is any real spark between them. In fact, Kate is shrill and unlikable. It makes no sense that a refined gentleman like Leopold would fall for her. Jackman actually has better chemistry with Breckin Meyer, who plays Charles, Kate's brother. Their friendship is the most interesting thing in the movie, with Leopold teaching Charles how to court a lady. But the worst thing is what the movie tells the female audience. See, Kate is a career driven business woman, so she is told by her boss that she is "like a man" and the plot has her unbelievably leave her modern day life as a newly promoted vice president of the company behind to follow Leopold back to 1876. This would be a time where she, as a woman, would be totally stripped of all her rights, including the right to vote. Also disturbing it that it turns out that her ex, Stuart (Liev Schrieber), is actually the great great grandson of Leopold and Kate. So Kate was committing incest with her own grandson for four years. Really distasteful. So despite a charming performance by Jackman, the film is a real disappointment.
emilyjmalbon
I fancied watching a fluffy romance and that's exactly what this movie is. A dashing Duke is transported into the future and meets a modern day marketing executive.All my stars go to Hugh Jackman for his frankly stunning performance of the Duke, Leopold. He gives a character that could have been very stiff and boring so much charm and charisma that he practically pops out of the screen. It is disappointing therefore, that Meg Ryan's character "Kate" is so bland. She has a boring job, but she seems to like it and is climbing the career ladder, so unfortunately a lot of the movie seems to be spent on the ins and outs of her very dull working day as opposed to exploring all the things Leopold must be seeing for the first time in his new world. Kate is very unlikeable for the first half of the movie as she's so mean to Leopold, then SUDDENLY she's in love with him after he makes her a nice dinner and we're expected to buy into the fact they're meant for one another. I spent half my time hoping he would find someone much nicer and more interesting but it didn't happen. Kate and Leopold just had absolutely no chemistry and this spoilt an otherwise pretty good romcom for me. I don't know whether it's that Meg Ryan was a bad casting decision or her character was just wrong, though I'm leaning towards the latter because I loved her in "you've got mail". Overall this film does what it says on the tin and Hugh Jackman does enough to enable you to get past Kate's lousy character, so you won't be too disappointed if you like this sort of thing.
gavin6942
Kate and her actor brother live in N.Y. in the 21st Century. Her ex-boyfriend, Stuart, lives above her apartment. Stuart finds a space near the Brooklyn Bridge where there is a gap in time. He goes back to the 19th Century and takes pictures of the place. Leopold -- a man living in the 1870s -- is puzzled by Stuart's tiny camera, follows him back through the gap, and they both ended up in the present day.This could be dismissed as a romantic comedy, which in many ways it is. But it also has that science fiction, time travel element that will make it appeal to people (like myself) who may not be particularly interested in romantic comedies. We also have some great performances. Meg Ryan is alright (she has improved since the 1980s), and it is always nice to see Liev Schreiber.This is a film that needs reevaluation.
pratikshya-mishra72
I have always been lured by the things of past- the era that was: the language- those ornamental, flowery words of 'my lord's and 'my lady's, the mannerisms, fashion and stories. I always enjoy and look forward to visiting palaces, reading historic fiction, and discover tales and legends of the past.Loved Kate and Leopold- the movie, the characters, the plot, everything. Who wouldn't fall in love with a Duke from the past, and his overtly courteous manners, even though a bit exaggerated for the real world? It was such a sweet story, and kind of a fairy tale- I love fairy tales. I so much hope and wish and dream that portals were for real, and loopholes did exist in time!I love time travel.
