Based on its trailer, “Leap Year” should have been another sub-par, over-budgeted romantic comedy starring decent actors who just look pretty on camera. But after watching 100 minutes of pure enjoyment, it’s safe to say “Leap Year” is anything but sub-par.
Amy Adams (“Enchanted”) is phenomenal as Anna Brady, a dull twenty-something who flies to Ireland to propose to her equally dull boyfriend on the one day a year women can propose in Ireland––February 29. However due to a thunderstorm, her quest is delayed, and so Anna finds herself stuck with the only man who can drive her to Dublin, the abrasive, stunning lad Declan (Matthew Goode).
Throw in a wildly predictable ending, and that’s about the extent of the plot. But what differentiates “Leap Year” from the cinematic chick-flick failures “Did You Hear About the Morgans?” and “Ghosts of Girlfriends Past” is its impressive acting and enjoyable dialogue.
Writers Deborah Kaplan and Harry Elfont portrayed Anna as a character of both annoyance and affection, and Adams has done a spectacular job in bringing about all her qualities.
She takes the seemingly boring character of Anna: polite, plain, and a tad snotty, and turns her into a sweet, fragile woman whose searching for true love.
Matthew Goode, who had a less than memorable performance in “Watchmen,” is equally likable as an insensitive, small town Irishmen. Yet, Declan really gives the audience no reason to like him: he’s rude to the pathetic Anna, prank calls her, and consistently mocks her desire to propose.
However, it soon becomes hard not to love Declan, or really his relationship with Anna. It’s their love-hate relationship that truly makes the movie; with their constant banter and Declan’s innate protectiveness over Anna, the audience really has no choice but to cheer for these star-crossed lovers.
Relatively unknown actor Adam Scott does a terrific job as Anna’s technology obsessed boyfriend. Coupled with a cast of lovable Irish natives, the movie is full of charming characters and beautiful Irish scenery.
Director Anand Tucker succeeded in creating a movie that could have very easily been cheesy and plotless, but was instead endearing and romantic. Though this is undoubtedly a romantic comedy, it’s a movie that all generations can enjoy––mother and daughter, teenage couples, and everyone in between.
