Kate and Leopold MPAA Rating: PG-13 Entertainment: +3 1/2 Content: -1

Something about New York City seems to lend itself to romance and happenstance, just ask Kate (Meg Ryan), an ambitious, New York advertising agency executive. Kate has broken up with her brilliant, but unemployed boyfriend, Stuart (Liev Schreiber). But Stuart lives in the apartment above Kate, where he secretly experiments with time travel. He takes himself back to 1876 just as Leopold (Hugh Jackman), is being pressured by his uncle to marry for money. Stuart arrives just in time to pluck Leopold from the clutches of matrimony and transport him into the present, where Kate discovers him in Stuart's apartment. Who could resist the charming, handsome and chivalrous Leopold? Certainly not Kate, who hasn't a clue as to who this stranger is, or from when he came. And Leopold discovers the truly, future mate fate intended for him. An old-fashioned love story with a twist of fantasy and a healthy helping of laughs, KATE & LEOPOLD delivers two hours of light-hearted entertainment for teenagers and adults.

Chivalry, absent for so long, makes a welcome appearance as Leopold teaches his new-found friends much about trust and respect. He even coaches Kate's clueless, insensitive single brother how to win the affection of a young woman by being a gentleman. The only slightly suggestive scene of this innocent, romantic love story shows a clothed Leopold and Kate asleep in bed together. Although his arm is around her, it is apparent that no sex occurs. Sadly, if he were from the present century, this would no-doubt have been unbelievable, but it's his very respectful behavior that attracts Kate. The cut-throat corporate world suddenly loses its appeal after she meets her prince charming. So why does Hollywood drop the inappropriate foul language into an otherwise wholesome love story? Unfortunately, four obscenities and six regular profanities push KATE & LEOPOLD, a promising date movie, into a negative acceptability rating. [Ed. note: According to a studio release - after the initial screening by critics, some scenes were removed and other aspects downplayed. But our summary should remain mostly accurate.]

Preview Reviewer: Mary Draughon
Distributor: Miramax Films, 375 Greenwich St., NY, NY 10013