Kate and Leopold

This entry was published at least two years ago (originally posted on January 14, 2002). Since that time the information may have become outdated or my beliefs may have changed (in general, assume a more open and liberal current viewpoint). A fuller disclaimer is available.

Candice and I went out to see Kate and Leopold this weekend. End result from both of us — cute flick. Probably a matinee or renter rather than an evening show, but definitely fun to watch.


KaL follows the romance of the two title characters, Kate (Meg Ryan) and Leopold (Hugh Jackman). It could be a match made in heaven — though, as it’s actually a match made in Hollywood, things are made a bit more difficult due to Kate being a modern businesswoman up for a major promotion, and Leopold being a 19th century Duke accidentally transported to modern times thanks to Kate’s bungling ex-boyfriend Stuart (Liev Schreiber).

As tends to happen with most movies dealing with time-travel, there are the occasional plot holes that you pretty much just have to accept, but with a little willing suspension of disbelief, the film ends up being quite enjoyable. Meg Ryan does what she does (even with romantic comedies being her forte, I’m not sure I’ve ever seen her really create a different character from role to role), but it’s really Hugh Jackman and the supporing cast of Liev Schreiber and Breckin Meyer (as Kate’s brother Charlie) that give the film its warmth. Jackman manages to take a fairly predictable fish-out-of-water role and make it about as believeable as can be, and Schreiber and Meyer provide some wonderful comic moments.

This is the second time-travel romance film I’ve seen in the past few months, and while the first (Happy Accidents, with Marisa Tomei and Vincent D’Onofrio) I found to be better overall (especially in its handling of the various time paradoxes), KaL makes for a worthwhile rent or even matinee show if you’re in the mood for some sweet and silly romantic fluff.