Today’s quick review: Leap Year. Disappointed that her boyfriend Jeremy (Adam Scott) didn’t propose to her before his trip to Ireland, Anna Brady (Amy Adams) takes matters into her own hands, seizing on an old Irish tradition as an excuse to pop the question herself. But when bad weather and worse luck keep her from flying straight to Dublin, Anna is forced on a trek through the Irish countryside with Declan (Matthew Goode) as her guide.
Leap Year is a romantic comedy about a woman who sets out to propose to her fiance on Leap Day. Stranded in rural Ireland, Anna braves rain, cows, mud, hail, hostile locals, friendly locals, and the dry quips of her guide Declan to reach her boyfriend in Dublin. Leap Year is a sweet movie that runs on a mixture of unlucky breaks and Irish charm. Its gorgeous setting, light plot, and pair of well-matched leads make it a very enjoyable watch.
Leap Year has a different dynamic than other romantic comedies. Anna and Declan have very specific personalities. Anna is a habitual planner who’s always on edge when things go off the rails. Declan is a savvy local with a keen wit and a casual attitude towards everything. Their journey to Dublin gives them one problem after another, eventually forcing Anna to lighten up, trust Declan, and just enjoy the journey.
This setup results in a simple but satisfying story. Anna and Declan’s many detours give them plenty of time to get to know each other, as well as giving the audience time to drink in the landscape. Much of the humor comes from the clash between Anna’s expectations and the wry personalities of the people around her. The plot doesn’t hold too many surprises, but it progresses well and builds to a nice payoff.
Give Leap Year a shot when you are in the mood for a romance about opposites attracting. Leap Year does not change up the genre in any serious way, but its characters and its premise are unique enough to give it a niche of its own. Nearly every fan of the genre will get something out of it, and the right viewer will find it quite rewarding.
For a romantic comedy with a similar heroine but less chemistry, try The Wedding Planner. For a classic romance set in rural Ireland, try The Quiet Man. For a romantic comedy about a Scottish husband who has a similar sense of humor, try P.S. I Love You. For a subdued romantic comedy set in a Welsh village, try The Englishman Who Went Up a Hill But Came Down a Mountain.
[6.4 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1216492/). I give it a 7.0 for likable characters and light comedy.