FamilyFans Movies

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KATE & LEOPOLD (PG-13)

Plot Summary: An independent, career focused woman meets a gentleman who has time-traveled to 2001 from 1876.

Reason for the Rating: Brief strong language.

If you liked Sleepless in Seattle, Who’s Got Mail, or any other romantic comedy that Meg Ryan has been a part of, you will like Kate and Leopold. This is a cute movie.

Ryan plays Kate, a woman focused on her career and doing her best to annoy her ex-boyfriend, Stuart (Liev Schreiber), who lives in the apartment directly above her. Stuart is an inventor who has discovered a portal in time, allowing him to time-travel back to 1876. On one of his adventures to the past, he accidentally brings back his great-great-grandfather, Leopold, the duke of Albany (Hugh Jackman), and inventor of the elevator.

Leopold discovers a whole new New York City upon his arrival, beginning with television, radio, and voice mail. He is astonished by a police woman who insists he pick up the “treat” his dog left on the grass, and is disgusted by the taste of diet food. Unfortunately, he never sees or rides in an elevator, as all have stopped working since his leap in time.

Initially, Kate is irritated with Leopold and his courteous 1876 ways, but he begins to win her over when he chases a purse snatcher through Central Park on a white horse, and then steals her heart when he invites her to dinner on the rooftop of the apartment building. Dinner includes candles, flowers, wine, and even a hired violin player. What more could a girl ask for?

Of course, there is the problem of Leopold needing to return to 1876….

Now, this isn’t a suspenseful movie, in fact, it’s fairly predictable, but it is fun and sweet, with a great cast. Leopold makes a wonderful tool in contrasting American busyness and lack of communication with his courtesy, eloquence of speech, and integrity. Fans of romantic comedies—parents and kids alike—should enjoy this one.

FamilyFans.com Recommends: A fun date movie to see with your spouse.

After the Show…If members of your family choose to view this movie, use these questions to spark discussion about it afterward:

---If you were to travel 100 years into America’s future, what do you think you’d find there?

---How do you think one of Jesus’ apostles would react to the way we live today? Explain your answer.

---If you could time travel to any time, when would it be? Why?

Jill Wuellner

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