The typical formula for Harlequin romances, paperback love stories that run about 180 pages, is that the man and woman are usually in conflict for about 80 percent of the book. There is some indication that each finds the other attractive, however, so the happily-ever-after ending has some credibility. Unfortunately, that is not the case with “Leap Year,” starring Amy Adams and Matthew Goode. The sense of heated antagonism that develops between the two characters is so strong, without any undercurrent of attraction, that it’s hard to believe they eventually fall in love. Nonetheless, the rom-com genre formula calls for a happy ending so that’s what we get. And although Adams and Goode are game enough to make the best of a messy script, there’s just too much wrong with the screenplay and direction to save the movie. The slapstick (and there’s too much of it) isn’t funny, just cringe-inducing, especially at a wedding where Anna’s (Adams) flying shoe knocks the bride in the head. And why is Declan (Goode) so grungy throughout the film? I’m sure part of the reason Anna dislikes him from the outset is his slovenly appearance. But as she gets to know him, and especially at the end, couldn’t his appearance improve? After all, Matthew Goode is a pretty handsome guy, but you wouldn’t know it under all of that facial hair.
Anna cares more about appearances, which makes her a pretty superficial person. So when her long-term boyfriend doesn’t propose, she decides to follow him to Ireland (where he’s attending a medical conference) and propose. It seems there’s an old Irish legend that says on Leap Day, a woman can propose to a man. (Come on, this is the twenty-first century. Can’t a woman propose to a man without going to Ireland to do it?) Unfortunately, bad weather interferes and Anna ends up in a small Irish town a great distance from her goal of Dublin. A local pub owner/taxi driver, Declan, offers to help her for the right price. Thus begins a road trip where Anna is supposed to learn about the important things in life, especially true love. If you like Amy Adams, “Leap Year” is diverting enough. But better to rent “The Proposal,” which takes a similar situation, two characters that despise each other, and develops a credible romantic comedy. 1/8/10
1 comment:
This film was very cute and very entertaining. Amy Adams is one of my favorite actresses and I will go to see everything in which she stars . That being said this wasn't her best movie but she added her usual sparkle to the story and I felt real chemistry between her character and Matthew Goode's Irish "rascal" depiction. I also think that the supporting cast of the villagers was to the point. I would expect the locals to be superstitious bumpkins in a village that remote. I think it’s well worth seeing and it will make money.
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