Leap Year [PG]

When her boyfriend surprises her with a pair of earrings rather than the engagement ring she had expected, Anna decides to take matters into her own hands. Following him on a business trip to Ireland, she plans to propose to him on February the 29^th: Leap Day, a romantic folk tradition that results in good luck. But the luck of the Irish proves to be holding out on Anna as her plane gets caught in a storm and is forced to make a landing in Dingle, a little country town in the middle of nowhere. With the odds against her, Anna hires a bitter Irish cynic to drive her to Dublin, but as the pair grows to dislike each other more and more, it’s going to prove a long journey. 

I had never even heard of this film, but it came into work and I have a bit of a thing for Amy Adams so I figured “why not?” It was a cute and sometimes funny romantic comedy, but nothing spectacular. 

When her boyfriend of four years surprises her with a pair of earrings instead of the engagement ring she expected, Anna decides to take matters into her own hands. Following him on a business trip to Ireland, she plans to surprise and propose to him on February 29^th: Leap Day, the only day, according to Irish folk tradition, a woman can propose to a man, bringing good luck to the couple. But the luck of the Irish proves to be against Anna as her plane gets caught in a storm and is forced to make a landing in the remote country town of Dingle, miles and miles away from Anna’s boyfriend. Determined to see her plan through, Anna hires a grumpy and cynical innkeeper to drive her to Dublin. But with the two growing a greater detestation towards each other; it’s going to be a long and bumpy ride. 

Amy Adams gives a structured, sophisticated performance, but no matter what she does, she cannot help but be cute. Even when she’s arguing persistently or drinking heavily, there is something about her that just makes you go “aw.” I do like Amy Adams. 

I think the film’s best feature was the beautiful Irish scenery. The greens, the overcast weather, the blue skies, the golden cliff faces, and the shimmering reflection of the sun off the water, it’s all very breathtaking. I want to go to Ireland so bad now. 

Filled with beautiful scenery, unlucky mishaps, romantic intentions, and heaps of superstitions, Leap Year was a cute and sometimes funny romantic comedy. Worth watching, but I don’t feel the need to have it in my collection.