Leaf (I) (2008) User Reviews

Epilogue of Ryan Leaf

[neil-924 · 5/10 · 4 March 2009]

After this film "Leaf" was released, the real-life Ryan Leaf was an Assistant Coach (quarterbacks) for the NCAA Division II West Texas A&M (Lone Star Conference) football team in Canyon, TX from 2006-2008. On November 5, 2008, Leaf was put on indefinite leave from his coaching position mid-way into the 2008 football season. Leaf resigned from his post on November 6, 2008 amid allegations he had asked one of his players for a pain pill and of his abuse and illegal possession of prescription pain killers as alleged by the Randall County, TX Sheriff's Office. Leaf's whereabouts and current residence are not known after his resignation date from coaching college football. However, it is believed that he has relocated to Montana where he owns residential property.

UPDATE: Ryan Leaf was indicted on May 21, 2009 on one count of burglary to a habitation, seven counts of obtaining a controlled substance by fraud and one count of delivery of a simulated controlled substance. As the Randall County Grand Jury, based in Canyon, Texas, returned the felony indictments against Leaf, Randall County District Attorney James Farren's office issued an arrest warrant for Ryan Leaf based on these charges. Leaf's local Amarillo, Texas defense attorney notified the Randall County Sheriff's office of Leaf's location, a fishing lodge in Vancouver, British Colombia where he was employed as a fishing guide. After several weeks of no response to the arrest warrant, U.S. customs agents arrested Leaf on Wednesday June 17, 2009 in Bellingham, Wash., about 10 miles south of the Canadian border after he crossed into the United States. He posted a $45,000 bond in Washington and will return to Randall County "soon" to face nine felony charges, his attorney Bill Kelly said. Kelly said Leaf has finished a drug-rehabilitation program. On June 18, 2009, the Randall County Criminal District Attorney's Office extended the deadline for Leaf to turn himself in on charges of burglary and illegally obtaining prescription drugs. Randall County DA James Farren said Leaf had until Thursday morning June 18, 2009 to meet with authorities. Farren had said on June 5, 2009 that Leaf's deadline was Tuesday June 9, 2009. He agreed to extend it after speaking with Leaf's attorney. "For two days, I'll wait and see if he shows up," Farren said on Tuesday June 9, 2009. "If he is not here Thursday morning (June 11, 2009), we are going to get the authorities to really start beating the bushes for him."

In late June 2009, Leaf eventually returned to Canyon, TX and, escourted by his attorney Bill Kelly, surrendered to Randall County authorities, was booked into county jail, processed, posted bond and was released pending trial. He returned to Vancouver, BC to continue his job as a fishing guide.

I saw this on Friday.

[Thornton1949 · 8/10 · 24 March 2008]

Saw this movie in the village in New York. The film is about a real life has been named Ryan Leaf. Maybe it's more like a never-was named Ryan Leaf. I'll be honest I wasn't expecting much. Afterall a movie about Ryan Leaf isn't necessarily academy award worthy. The movie came in at a lean one hour and about twenty minutes. It did keep moving and didn't lull at any time. The filmmakers aren't necessarily Oliver Stone. It was a story told about the rise and fall of a spoiled twenty something athlete told as a sort of documentary. The main role was played by Tim Carr who also wrote and directed. About an hour into the movie I turned to my wife and said 'I can't believe I feel pity for Ryan Leaf'. She agreed. I've seen so many movies where young actors cared more about looking pretty than playing the part and one positive thing for this film is Carr didn't hold back. His character was physically heavy and pale and angry. But when he was on screen, my wife compared his performance to a few years ago when we saw Colin Farrell in 'Tigerland'. It was that raw performance many actors wish for. A few get and most of them screw up. Carr appears to have talent and he appears to have charisma but after seeing him up close at the screening, we couldn't decide if he was a nice guy or if he's the type of spoiled twenty something actor who would make the tabloid magazines. He could be something to watch for in the future. Or he could be someone I'd see on the front page at a club misbehaving next to Mischa Barton. This is an interesting movie with some interesting moments.The budget seemed low and would have benefited with extra budget for bigger football scenes. Carr has a real opportunity to go on to big things from here. I hope he stays smart and doesn't screw it up like so much of young Hollywood does.