Matthew Goode thinks Leap Year is a terrible movie. What's odd about that is Goode is one of the stars of the movie. What's even more odd is that it is not at all a terrible movie. Yes, it is very predictable and formulaic. But sometimes you have to remember that in life there are established formulas because those formulas work. And Leap Year, for what it is intended to be, works. No, it is not by any means a serious motion picture. But not every movie is meant to be The Godfather. There's plenty of room in the world for a light, breezy, enjoyable romantic comedy. And Leap Year fits the bill.
Amy Adams plays Anna, an ultra-organized Boston woman who has her life planned out down to the tiniest detail. She patiently waits for Jeremy, her boyfriend of four years, to propose to her. Finally her patience runs out. When Jeremy takes off for Dublin for a cardiology convention Anna decides to follow him, intending to take advantage of an Irish tradition of women proposing to their men on Leap Day. Unfortunately a storm causes her flight to be diverted and when she finally gets to Ireland she's not in Dublin but way over on the other side of the country. Stuck in this rural no-man's land she needs transportation to Dublin. Enter Goode's character of Declan, the town's innkeeper, bartender and, most importantly, taxi driver. So Anna, the prim, proper girl with her whole life planned out and Declan, the earthy, sarcastic guy who flies by the seat of his pants set out on their road trip. Gee, you don't suppose this mismatched couple might end up falling for one another do you? It's a movie with very little drama. You know the formula, so you think you know where the story's headed. But just because you think you know the ultimate destination that doesn't mean you can't have some fun along the way. Leap Year is not a movie which is uproariously funny by an means but there are enough solid laughs scattered throughout to keep you smiling. The interplay between Adams and Goode is excellent. Adams is relentlessly charming and Goode makes for a very good rogue. The movie looks spectacular, the rolling Irish countryside a sight to behold and a wonderful setting for the story. Many people seem to bemoan what this movie isn't. They miss what it is. A charming, fun, entertaining romantic comedy. That's all the movie aspires to be and in this aim it succeeds. Adams is the perfect actress for this sort of thing, she lights up the screen. And Goode? He does well here too and for him I dearly hope the acting thing works out. Because he has no future as a film critic.
