Return to the "POINTER VIEW"
                               January 18, 2002

Her Point: Let me start off by stating I will never buy any product advertised at the movie theater during the previews. That has become one of the most annoying things about going to big theaters. Why do they need those sponsors anyway when a soda and popcorn cost almost $20? That said, and knowing I am always touting Mahan Hall for movie-goers, you won’t have to put up with commercials at our AAFES- sponsored theater.

Oh, the movie -- wow! It was just what a girl needs after a very long day with the kids. "Kate and Leopold," starring Meg Ryan and Hugh Jackman (my first big crush since middle school -- Casey aside) was a splendid way to spend my two hours. I loved the story and the chemistry really works with the two lead actors. There was some time travel for sci-fi lovers and comedy as well. I chuckled to myself a few times because of the pithy delivery of some of Jackman’s lines. He plays the Duke of Albany from 1876, struggling his way through life in present-day Manhattan. About the only thing I would have changed would have been Ryan’s haircut -- what was she thinking? It looked as if it were shorn by "Edward Scissorhands." I was totally taken away from real life for a few hours for a wonderful fun-filled fantasy time. We ladies aren’t accustomed to that type of royal male behavior. I came out of the theater feeling dreamy and charged home to find my prince charming changing a dirty diaper while a football game blared in the background. Sound familiar?

His Counterpoint: There is chivalry in changing diapers; I could simply have left the odious task for Sarah to carry out while I watched my beloved Packers give the 49ers a "beat-down" in their playoff game. What can a man say about this movie, aside from the fact it is the quintessential "chick flick" of 2002? As for Meg Ryan’s hair, it clearly was an attempt by director James Mangold to knock ten years off of the 40-year-old actress. The premise of "Kate and Leopold" is that Leopold, the penniless English Duke accidentally travels through time because of Kate’s ex-boyfriend, Stuart (Liev Schreiber), and crashes in Stuart’s Manhattan apartment until he wins Kate’s affections. Leopold apparently raids Stuart’s closet to get some modern clothing, but I never understood how anything fit him. Aside from the fact that it is extremely uncool for guys to borrow one another’s clothing, Leopold is at least three inches taller than the other man, and weighs about twenty-five pounds more. It makes about as much sense as me trying to wear David Spade’s clothes.

Her Point: Okay, so it was all fluff and fiction, but isn’t that what moviemaking is all about? We need more of these well-made flicks to smooth out the rough stuff we do day to day. Mangold did an admirable job tying together the story so even I could make sense out of the time travel idea -- which is way cool! I give a lot of credit to the writers, Mangold (again) and Steven Rogers, for they created the words that just rolled off Jackman’s tongue like velvet and creamy butter. He is an excellent actor from Australia, who incidentally is happily married and a father; I’ve appreciated his past few flicks as well. We have seen him recently in "Swordfish" and "Someone Like You." However, he is most noted for his performance in "X-Men," which I have not yet seen, but will! I have always had a hard time with Ryan’s credibility because she always seems so helpless and gangly. But she gave me a hint of what may be hiding in her future if she can keep up this pace. She hit her mark, so to speak, and worked well with my new boyfriend, the Duke of Albany. However, the only time her hair looked even somewhat OK was at the end. Enough about the hair and on to the time travel -- I wish I could do it.

His Counterpoint: If this film focused on time travel, it would be much more entertaining for the males in the audience. Unfortunately, the time travel itself totals no more than thirty seconds in the entire movie. Do not expect the excitement of H.G. Wells’ "Time Machine," or even the inane time travel antics in "Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure." The bulk of the picture is talking, complaining about relationships and lots of whining -- both from the male and female characters. Leopold is supposed to be a nineteenth-century engineer and the inventor of the elevator, so it amazes me that he is not the least bit curious about all the engineering marvels of the modern day. Instead, he wastes all of his time trying to woo the girl upstairs -- regardless of her disastrous haircut. If I went into the future and saw people using high-tech devices, I would want to find out how they work and patent the idea for enormous profits.

Her point: This is just a fun movie; I don’t know why my husband always has to stick logic into everything. Feel free to take friends, boyfriends, girlfriends or the kids. It’s safe for all and entertaining as well. I did not cry at this movie; I didn’t feel the need for it. Treat yourself and your spouse and make it a date night. I did not say much about the supporting cast because I was so busy watching The Duke; I give a few kudos to Schreiber, but that’s about it. I had fun with this picture; it was just the thing I needed. I give this sizzling sci-fi comedy four stars. ÙÙÙÙ

His Counterpoint: One aspect of the movie that really annoyed me was Kate’s time travel back to New York in 1876; I do not think that she could really cope with nineteenth century life. There were no flush toilets, bathing was a weekly occurrence and the lack of dental hygiene must have made halitosis an issue to contend with in every conversation. I nearly did cry at this movie -- when I looked at my watch and realized that I still had to sit there for forty-five more minutes! Anyone who enjoyed other Ryan whine-a-thons, like "Sleepless in Seattle" or "You’ve Got Mail," will love this movie. For those who prefer action and adventure, I suggest taking the significant other to see her film, but bring a pillow. I give this "Somewhere in Time" wanna-be a star and a half. Ù½