It's all too clear that "Kate & Leopold" would like to join the company of such classic, timeless theatrical/cinematic couples as "Romeo & Juliet," and "The King & I."

But this contrived romantic comedy/fantasy would be lucky to be considered as a companion to the sweet but ultimately superficial "Benny & Joon."

And at times, "Kate & Leopold's" flat, leaden humor is every bit as forced as a dud gag in an unfunny Cheech & Chong movie.

That's something of a surprise, considering some of the talent involved. With stars like Meg Ryan and Hugh Jackman, as well as a filmmaker like James Mangold, you'd at least hope the movie would be better than mediocre.

(In fact, the film's problems are so serious and so numerous that some last-minute cosmetic changes were done by the filmmakers and the studio.)

The title characters are, respectively, a career-driven, 21st century market-research executive (Ryan) and a 19th century duke (Jackman) seemingly brought together by fate.

Actually, they're brought together by her ex-boyfriend, Stuart (Liev Schreiber), a crackpot who has discovered a time portal and through which he's traveled to the past. And has also accidentally brought Leopold back with him.

At first, the title characters clash, especially when she doesn't believe his claims about being an early New York nobleman. But that changes in a hurry, especially when she sees how the out-of-his-time gentleman responds to modern-day challenges.

Unfortunately, the two of them may not get to spend much more time together, as his presence in the future is causing problems in the past.

It's not a terrible premise, but the material is badly directed by co-writer/director Mangold, who plays many scenes far too broadly. He's also stuck with a heroine who's not all that appealing or sympathetic. Ryan has played this role several times before, and here she appears to be sleepwalking. That's unfortunate for Jackman, who puts in a game effort to save the movie.

"Kate & Leopold" is rated PG-13 for a handful of profanities, some crude sexual double-entendres and questionable humor, slapstick violence and brief drug content (use of hospital tranquilizers). Running time: 115 minutes.

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