Take A Chance on Leap Year
January 11, 2010 by Allison Toner
Filed under feature overlay, Movies
Prior to seeing Leap Year, I read several negative reviews about it so I wasn’t sure what to expect. But after seeing it, I can’t be so disparaging; I enjoyed it. Leap Year is a romantic comedy that is lighthearted and a feel good film. Yes, it is definitely a chick flick with some slapstick humor and is somewhat predictable, but it is an entertaining movie with amusing dialogue and sensational footage of the Irish countryside!
Anna Brady (Amy Adams) lives in Boston and works as a successful stager for realtors. Her boyfriend of four years, Jeremy (Adam Scott), is a cardiologist. They are applying to live together in a posh and high-class building called the Davenport. When one of her friends spies Jeremy coming out of a jewelry store, Anna assumes he is finally going to propose and is thrilled!
Instead of the desired proposal and a ring, a dejected Anna receives diamond earrings and Jeremy leaves Boston to attend a conference in Dublin. Anna remembers her father’s (John Lithgow) story about the Irish tradition, used by her Grandma Jane, in which women are allowed to propose on February 29th and Anna decides to take part in the tradition. A very determined Anna packs and departs for Dublin to propose to Jeremy, if only it was that easy. The flight is diverted to Wales because of bad weather and Anna tries to take a boat but ends up in the small Irish town of Dingle. Anna ventures into a local pub hoping to find a taxi service and here she meets Declan (Matthew Goode), a brusque but very handsome Irishman who agrees to drive her to Dublin.
Declan’s reaction to Anna’s plan to propose on Feb. 29th: “that’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard.” Anna and Declan’s relationship has a rocky start but the pair grows closer during their crazy journey. Many debacles ensue with cows, the car, the weather, posing as a married couple at a B&B and much more. You must see the film to discover if Anna ever makes it to Dublin, if she proposes to Jeremy or if anything happens between her and Declan.
As expected, Amy Adams was charming and cute as Anna. But Matthew Goode really stood out during the film. Not only was he eye candy and brought the grumpy Declan to life but he was hilarious at the same time! He constantly mocked Anna. For example, he thought that Anna had named her Louis Vuitton suitcase, “Louie”, which he thought was crazy, and poked fun at throughout the movie. An added bonus were the regular crowd of Irish blokes at Declan’s pub…they were very superstitious and funny!
On a side note, Leap Year was filmed in various locations in Ireland and the beautiful scenery added to the charm of the movie!
If you are into chick flicks or romantic comedies, don’t be swayed by some of the negative critic reviews you may see or hear. Whether you decide to see it in theaters or rent it in the future, decide for yourself and give Leap Year a chance.
I have not watched this movie but it seems to be a decent movie to watch. Amy adams has come a long way to become a better actress.