?KATE AND LEOPOLD? ? Sometimes, people ?OUT of their time? fit in BETTER than those who ?belong? = Rating: 7 of 10 stars (based on a DVD shown at a local library). =
Leopold, the English Duke of Albany (HUGH JACKMAN), is visiting NYC in 1876 to view the creation of the Brooklyn Bridge and try to find a rich woman to marry so he could relieve his family?s indebtedness. Since he's an inventor (& was working on a prototype for an elevator), he?s intrigued when he sees a man (Stuart, played by LIEV SCHREIBER) in the crowd who appears to be using unknown devices such as a miniature camera and small pen. When he chases Liev, they suddenly fall & disappear thru a time-rift into a MODERN-DAY period, the devices of which (cars, TVs, etc.) amaze Hugh. At one point, marketing whiz Kate (MEG RYAN) comes into the apt of Liev who was her ex-boyfriend, & is ?taken? with the gallant demeanor of Hugh, who she urges to appear in a commercial for her firm. Her visiting brother Charlie (BRECKIN MEYER) becomes Hugh?s friend, is helped by him, & tries to encourage a romance with his sister. It?s charming, humorous, quite well-acted by all -- & a successful rom-com romp.