Kate & Leopold

"Kate & Leopold" is not a top quality film, but has some seriously funny and entertaining moments. Most of those were delivered from Breckin Meyer, who plays Kate's brother. For example, the part when he keeps talking in the background and nobody is listening to him. I also enjoyed when he said "we have a saying in our household 'shake and bake the chicken'" or something of that sort.

The best part of this movie by far is Hugh Jackman. Not only is he devastatingly dashing and handsome, but his performance shows off his acting chops quite well. However, he and Meg Ryan had little on screen chemistry.

If you like silly romantic comedies, or if you just like Hugh Jackman, I would advise you to check out this film. You also shouldn't expect much plot wise. The script lacks continuity and has a few plot holes and many inconceivable ideas (well, so do most films, but others do a better job of making you believe it).

**1/2

Kate and Leopold is a diverse little romantic movie about a Duke (Hugh Jackman) from the 19th century, and modern day wanderers, including a love-depressed Kate, (Meg Ryan), her ex-boyfriend, Stuart, (Liev Shrieber), and her brother, Charlie, (Breken Meyer). Jackman and Ryan are two star-crossed people searching for love, and all's they get is a little push from the people around them, and a little thing called a time portal. This movie is refreshing, with a new type of concept, and all of the writing and acting was wonderfully done! 8.5 out of 10.

I'm a fan of Meg Ryan and think that she's one of the best there is in Hollywood right now. Yet, I believe that it was HUGH JACKMAN who stole the show in this movie. He is so charming and charismatic that you can hardly resist falling head over heels for him! Leopold is a duke from the 18th century who mistakenly lands up in the 21st century one day...and is obviously bewildered with everything he sees. He stays with the man who got him there at the first place, Stuart,Kate's (Meg Ryan) ex-boyfriend. Predictably, Leopold falls in love with Kate and she retaliates. Yet, he has to go back where he came from, and that poses a problem for their relationship. It's a cute movie, yet, I couldn't agree with the ending, though it was predictable. I just couldn't see eye to eye with the reasoning they gave us for the step Kate took. Okay movie...great if you have nothing else to do and like chick-flicks. That's exactly the reason I watched it. I liked it..but I've seen better by Meg Ryan.

I usually don't watch romantic comedies for the simple reason they are predictable. But I watch everything Hugh Jackman...

I've seen 'Kate & Leopold' a few times now and enjoy it every time. Yes, it is predictable, but it is really funny. Hugh Jackman is just so incredibly charming that he can be as credible in a romantic comedy as he is in a fantasy action movie. Jackman stars as the titular Leopold, a Duke from 1876, who is accidentally transported to present time New York through a porthole. The person to blame for this mishap, is Stuart (Liev Schreiber), who discovered the porthole.

Stuart is Kate (Meg Ryans)'s ex-boyfriend, and they still live in the same apartment building. I enjoyed the fact Kate and Leopold didn't fall in love straight away. For once Hollywood got it right. This is a film about romance (and not lust!), where two people fall in love over a period of time thanks to moments they share together. This was far more realistic than so many of the romantic comedies out there.

'Kate & Leopold' is also a wonderful illustration of how customs have changed; costumes, speech, traditions, etc. I liked the characters and the set-up of each character. The character development was also very good. The film's visual effects - especially back in 1876 - are good. Yes, the ending is predictable and cheesy, but it is oh-so-wonderful. I really do enjoy everything about 'Kate & Leopold'.

From the very beginning, with that vintage sepia scenery of 1876 New York, to the very end, where Sting delight us with that touching performance of 'Until' (which Sting himself confessed wrote being transported by the romanticism of the movie); this movie drives you through your heart, your mind, your soul, unwinding deep feelings that our day-to-day life bury inside us, but that are so immense that cannot be extinguish, even with the cold routine in which we dwell.

Using time leap as a metaphor between the way we live in present times and all those little things that we long so badly but that we ourselves deny or just give up in the search, the story open a parenthesis in the crazy rhythm of the today New York and involve the characters -and ourselves- in a mixture of true romanticism and happiness that taste like a virgin flavor in our stone lips. Facing issues like post-breaking relationships and career success versus personal life success, the plot fill us with joy and laughter that makes us even cry when we realize all that we have at our fingertips and that we miss.

The acting was very natural and the five main actors deliver the characters very well. Particularly, JJ (Bradley Whitford) has a very well defined personality. Meg give us her "ugly duck" charming prettiness that is already her trademark and Hugh is perfect for the role: Tall, handsome, gallant, romantic...

Definitely, one of the best movies (if not the one) I've seen this year -at least. Go and see it, you'll enjoy it !