No denying the fact that hugh jackman makes this movie. He is charming, gallant, and everything a 19th century duke should be and more. His character Leopold has the perfect "fish out of water" charm and curiosity without being repetitive or annoying . While I usually like Meg Ryan, her character Kate is quite bland and lacks depth. The Kate/Leopold romance feels forced there's no real chemistry. But overall it's different, fun, and at least worth one watch.

This movie kind of reminds me of Hayford Peirce's "Napoleon Disentimed," when a con-man playing Napoleon invents champagne - this for me connects where there is a plausible yet apocryphal reference to Hugh Jackman's character inventing a modern-day convenience (Leopold - but a member of royalty did perform a type of invention; speaking under correction, but I think Philip II of Spain created the precursor to the current thermometer used nowadays)! The further irony was that Leopold was discovered by another would-be inventor, played to disarming effect by Liev Schreiber - which is a far cry from Liev's chilling performance in the remake of "The Manchurian Candidate" - and he is also the benighted ex-lover of Meg Ryan (Kate).

Liev's character finally gets her to accept they have drifted apart when he delivered a quiet yet massive insult - this movie thrives on intellectual innuendo and bravura, as opposed to bravado... Leopold does a remarkable adaptation to modern day conveniences, even re-inventing a timed toaster using a rubber band, timer and bent fork - a veritable 19th century MacGyver!

The transplanted and trans-timed Duke does not realise how attached he got to Kate until he realised her boss was being less than a gentleman about her promotion. So Leopold educated her employer on the finer points of French, La Boheme and geography - without laying a finger he scalded the man! It really is a fantasy picture, she still had her job, LOL!!!

However, for me the highlight is when Kate's purse is stolen near Central Park. The whole film shows how a man should treat a woman - and even better, they used Sting's "Until" which was inspired by the tragedy of 9-11... It is one of the most romantic songs ever and the film is a timeless classic on the whole!

Kate McKay (Meg Ryan) is a throughly modern girl climbing the corporate ladder at her advertising company. Her ex Stuart (Liev Schreiber) lives below her apartment. He's been working on time travel, and finds a time portal to a specific 19th century date if one jumps off the Brooklyn Bridge. Leopold (Hugh Jackman)'s family is broke hoping he would marry into money. He comes to NY to select a wife, but instead chases the strange Stuart with a modern camera back to the present.

This is a solid rom-com all the way. Meg Ryan has still got it. She plays the cute girl who just can't fall for the right guy. Hugh Jackman is a dashing fresh air in a world without manners or chivalry. No matter what the evidence, she can't accept that he's a time traveler. Hugh Jackman is a heartthrob. They create the perfect and unabashedly traditional romance with a side of time travel.