There’s just something about Renée Zellweger’s face that annoys me. Image courtesy Universal Pictures.

Leatherheads, starring George Clooney (who’s also the director), John Krasinski and Renée Zellweger, aims to be a romantic comedy with a slapstick edge. Set in 1925, it tells the story of how the Duluth Bulldogs become a professional football team while two men fight for the affection of a sports reporter (Zellweger): one a college sensation (Krasinski) and the other an aging captain (Clooney).

Unfortunately, the chemistry between Zellweger and Clooney is awkward, poor Krasinski has nothing to work with in his undeveloped character, and the plot is weak. If I learned anything from watching this movie and its stars, it’s the following three things:

1. George Clooney shouldn’t direct comedies

His directorial debut with Confessions of a Dangerous Mind was impressive, and he was successful with the Oscar-nominated Good Night, and Good Luck, but Leatherheads is in a genre he should probably avoid. Screwball comedies aren’t as popular or well-written as they used to be, so Clooney relies on sight gags and pratfalls to get laughs. He’s a funny man when he acts, but maybe he should stick to directing dramas.

2. Renée Zellweger will always annoy me

Yes, she has an Oscar and many other awards under her belt, but her pouty-lip look is getting really old. She’s funny in parts of the movie but irritating for most of it. If, like me, you can’t stand her scrunched-up face, then avoid this movie.

3. John Krasinski should never leave The Office to make movies

Eventually the NBC comedy will conclude, but Krasinski is great as Jim. He has had bad luck with starring roles in movies, especially last summer’s License to Wed, but hopefully he will pick better movies to act in or just write his own. Leatherheads shows he has potential. He is charming and likable in his role as a star athlete, but he needs to pick parts that stretch him as an actor.

Anyway, enjoy the beautiful weather this week and play some ball yourself. I would recommend, as an alternative, the football movie Jerry Maguire — but Renée Zellweger is in it.