Leap Year, starring Amy Adams and Matthew Goode, is a wonderful, wonderful romantic comedy. I’ve seen it twice because it’s uplifting and warms my heart. The movie has been getting bad reviews, but I don’t understand why. It’s cute, funny, and romantic. Perfect for a “girl’s night out.” And perfect if you’d like to “go to Ireland” and escape for a while. Sometimes, critics get it wrong. If there’s not a lot of blood, sex, action and violence, then critics will dismiss the movie as if it’s bland. In Leap Year, there is nothing to dislike and everything to love.
The actors are marvelous. Matthew Goode, who plays Declan in Leap Year, and who was born in Exeter, Devon, England, U.K., has been hailed by The Sunday Times Magazine as one of Britain’s finest rising stars. He not only stars in Leap Year, but he is now appearing in Tom Ford’s debut film, A Single Man and will be appearing with Ricky Gervais in the upcoming Cemetery Junction. This is one young actor to watch. He’s gorgeous and absolutely brilliant on film. If you saw him in Watchmen, you’ll understand what I mean. He was wonderful as Adrian Veidt/Ozymandias and he was outstanding in the film, Match Point.
According to Irish custom, women may propose to their boyfriends on February 29 – Leap Day. The woman in Leap Year is Anna (Amy Adams), a Boston apartment stager, (decorator), and her intended fiancé, Jeremy (Adam Scott), is a cardiologist who is more in love with his BlackBerry than her. Jeremy has flown to a medical conference in Dublin, which neatly coincides with Leap Day, so Anna follows — intending to propose to him on February 29th. But, due to bad weather, Anna’s plane lands in an area near Dingle. Schlepping through mud and rain, Anna ends up in an Irish pub, seeking help to get to Dublin. The “help” comes in the form of a cantankerous, but gorgeous innkeeper and bartender named Declan (Matthew Goode.) He agrees to drive Anna to Dublin for 500 Euros. He needs the money to save his pub from being repossessed. During their trip, after one hilarious escapade after another, the feelings grow between Anna and Declan. It’s clear they’re falling in love. And by the time Anna meets up with Jeremy, it’s unclear as to whether he’s the man for her or not.
Matthew Goode is one of the best things about this film. Amy Adams is cute and her usual sweet self. But, hands down, Goode’s performance as Declan was the best part of this film. On paper, the character comes across as arrogant, selfish, and mean spirited, but somehow the actor turns him into Prince Charming. Not to mention Goode’s spot-on Irish accent, which was pitch perfect. His dialect was so on point, that it was hard to believe that underneath it all, he’s really British.
Ireland was a secondary character in Leap Year, and got just as much screen time as the actors. After watching this film you’ll want to book a trip overseas to see what the country has to offer. There were gorgeous shots that spotlighted the landscape, plus a few historical ruins.
John Lithgow had a cameo appearance and I was surprised he wasn’t used in the film more. He’s an outstanding actor. He stars as Anna’s father and is the one who tells her about the Irish tradition.
Overall, Amy Adams and Matthew Goode have great chemistry in this film. And the scenery is beautiful. It’s a sweet love story that will make girls swoon. What’s not to like about this movie? All of you critics out there who are bashing this film, get off your high horse. You’ve lost touch with what people really love and need. Go see Leap Year today.
Below are the names of the director and key members of the movie.
Click Here