Predictable? Yes. Leap Year is a formulaic romantic comedy. But it does have predictably good Amy Adams playing an uptight, control-freak who travels to Ireland to propose to her boyfriend on February 29. Irish tradition allows women to propose to men on that day and Amy Adams thinks this will be the key romantic moment for her relationship. Of course, everything about the trip goes wrong. Amy ends up hiring a scruffy Irishman named Declan (played by Matthew Goode) to take her to Dublin and predictably sparks start to fly. The soundtrack provides plenty of Irish music. The director, Anand Tucker, clearly loves the Irish countryside because this film could be used as a commercial for a vacation in Ireland with all the local scenery in every frame. Amy Adams epitomizes many women’s fantasy by having two men proposing marriage at the same time. She carries this routine movie with her smart cuteness and makes it worth watching. GRADE: B
Man, you’re getting to be as easy a grader as Maggie!
Amy Adams tips the scale, Jeff. The screen comes alive when she’s on it. LEAP YEAR is a real “chick flick.” The audience last night was 90% female.
You and Entertainment Weekly are giving this movie an even break, George!
Everything else pans it.
I’ll be seeing it, if only for the scenery. I liked MY LIFE IN RUINS for much the same reason, although I thought that was an accurate depiction of guided tours.
LEAP YEAR is very, very predictable, Beth. I think many critics get jaded and bash movies that follow the formula. Amy Adams lights up the screen.