Starring George Clooney, John Krasinski, and Renée Zellweger. Rated PG.

Every once in a while, a Hollywood power player gets the madcap urge to try and make a ’30s-style screwball comedy. The elusive requirements—rapid-fire dialogue, razor-sharp wit, and enough daffy charm to melt hearts—can stall a hot career faster than Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell trade barbs in His Girl Friday. The latest brave soul to tackle the genre’s slippery charms? George Clooney, who serves as both director and star of Leatherheads. Set in the world of 1920s professional football, it’s a nostalgic homage to railcar berths, bathtub gin, and slamming doors as foreplay.

Clooney plays Dodge Connelly, an aging football player trying to save the struggling professional league by signing college hotshot Carter Rutherford (John Krasinski of TV’s The Office). In addition to being a crackerjack athlete, with the ability to draw huge crowds, Rutherford is a decorated war hero. When another soldier casts doubt on Carter’s combat record, it attracts the attention of reporter Lexie Littleton (Renée Zellweger). Determined to get to the bottom of the story, the wisecracking Lexie charms both Dodge and Carter. Before you know it, a romantic triangle is born.

The biggest disappointment here is Zellweger. It can’t be easy playing a role clearly modelled after legendary work by Jean Arthur and Carole Lombard. But Zellweger seems so spooked by Lexie’s intimidating heritage that she pushes way too hard. Luckily, Clooney’s easygoing confidence helps to offset her obvious discomfort.

He’s less successful behind the camera. The banter lacks genuine snap, and at two hours the pace is noticeably sluggish. Granted, there are more than a few moments that are passably cute. But when you can see the real deal every night on Turner Classic Movies, getting things sort of right just doesn’t cut the mustard.