Leap Year (PG)

Once again, the Netflix Gnomes hacked into my account. This time, the movie that arrived in my mailbox much to my chagrin was the 2010 RomCom “Leap Year.” Written by Harry Elfont and Deborah Kaplan (who together helmed the gem “Can’t Hardly Wait”) and directed by relative unknown Anand Tucker, “Leap Year” received nothing in the way of Oscar considerations and was basically a break even at the box office.

“Leap Year” is a simple run-of-the-mill romantic comedy that is fluid with laughs and awwww type moments, and totally predictable from open to close. Where the movie distinguishes itself is in the skills of the two lead characters; the beautiful and immensely popular Amy Adams, and the humorous every-man and completely unheard of Matthew Goode. “Leap Year” is also aided by one of the most breathtaking places on Earth as its backdrop – the hillsides of coastal Ireland.

Boston resident Anna Brady (Adams) was raised by a strong Irish family, and has been fed a diet of old Irish traditions for her entire life. One tradition stands above all the others for Anna – a tradition that allows a woman to propose marriage to a man on the quadrennial leap year day of February 29th. The tradition also has it that the man must say yes if he is offered the proposal on this day.

When her long time thought to be perfect boyfriend Jeremy (Adam Scott) goes to Dublin for a conference, Anna seizes this golden opportunity to enact the tradition. A carriage of mishaps leaves Anna stranded in a small rural village on the Dingle Peninsula, located on the opposite side of Ireland from Dublin.

Anna enlists the help of a surely bar/inn owner named Declan (Goode) to transport her to Ireland’s capital city. Though jaded and mysterious at first, Declan soon teaches Anna the beauty of Ireland and Irish traditions, and she begins to learn that Jeremy may not be so perfect after all.

“Leap Year” is a story that has been done a hundred times before, which requires the two lead stars to be integral to the overall success or failure of the film. Adams is funny as the uptight apartment organizer Anna, who begins the movie with her narrow sights set on acceptance into an exclusive apartment in Boston, and whose most coveted possession is a Louise Vitton bag.

Her life is changed when she meets Declan, who scoffs at the notion that she “named” her suitcase Louie. Goode embodies the role of Declan, a simple blue collar type who loves his country and working hard at the small inn that he operates. Declan is carrying his own mysterious back story, a bitter dislike for all things Dublin and seemingly for trust and love. Adams and Goode mesh perfectly together, with the result being a humorous and believable pairing.

The setting for “Leap Year” will make you want to plan a trip to Ireland the second the film is over. With various locations in and around Dublin (including the gorgeous Aran Islands, Connemara, and Waterford) the setting will instantly transport you to Ireland and leave you spellbound.

“Leap Year” is as basic as it can be, and in terms of story and plot its a straight up average movie. The enjoyability of Adams and Goode, partnered with the truly awesome setting of Ireland kick it up just a few notches above other films like it. “Leap Year” is a popcorn movie – it won’t become an all time favorite, but its a movie that you won’t hate either.

– by Matt Christopher