Culture: "Love triangle is missing a corner " COMEDY.

EVERYBODY loves George Clooney but public affection for the actor-writer-director will be tested - though not too strenuously - by this uneven screwball comedy.

With professional American football in the doldrums, veteran player Dodge Connelly (George Clooney) realises the days of his team, the Duluth Bulldogs, are numbered.

So he seizes upon an idea - to recruit star Princeton athlete Carter Rutherford (John Krasinski) to the squad.

Dodge manages to sweet talk Rutherford's manager, but is distracted by plucky reporter Lexie Littleton (Renee Zellweger), who has been dispatched to write a puff piece on the boy wonder.

The veteran falls hopelessly in love with Lexie, but grows jealous of the time she spends with his new signing. The film marks Clooney's third directorial outing and is far lighter than Confessions Of A Dangerous Mind or Good Night, And Good Luck.

There's an undeniable appeal to the banter between Clooney and Zellweger, but screenwriters Duncan Brantley and Rick Reilly don't arm their love-struck protagonists with enough snappy one-liners to maintain a brisk tempo.

Crucially, the third point of the romantic triangle, Krasinksi, just doesn't pose a realistic threat to Clooney's chances of sweeping the gal off her feet. Leatherheads (1hr 53mins) Certificate: PG Starring: George Clooney, Renee Zellweger Director: George Clooney Star rating:

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LOVE MATCH George Clooney tries to win the affections of Renee Zellweger in romantic comedy Leatherheads.