REVIEW: ‘Leap Year’

There’s a certain comfort to getting exactly what you expect. It’s like walking into the Krispy Kreme right after the “Hot Now” sign lights up and getting his with that blast of fresh doughnutty goodness with a cloying hint of coffee. It reinforces, in Pavlovian fashion, why you might break out in a grin as you whip your car across three lanes of traffic while you try to get to the store. Certainly, you wouldn’t want to walk in to the olfactory surprise of fresh boiled Maine lobster. Conversely, it might cause you to give that particular shop an extra wide berth.  With so many things uncertain in the world, we hold a special place for things that are consistent.

“Leap Year” Rated PG • 97 minutes Starring Amy Adams, Adam Scott, Matthew Goode Directed by: Anand Tucker Written By: Deborah Kaplan and Harry Elfont RCC Rating: Worth Seeing At A Matinee

“Leap Year” is one of those consistent things that are no more or no less than it seems: it’s a romantic comedy and that’s what you get. It’s the story of Anna (Amy Adams), a Boston apartment dresser who has everything and everything under control except for the big commitment from her long-time cardiac surgeon boyfriend (and Patrick Batemen lookalike), Jeremy (Adam Scott). Just when it looks like he’s going to come through with the big payoff, he fumbles the snap and leaves her disappointed. Ah, but all is not lost. Anna remembers an obscure Irish tradition where a woman can propose to a man on February 29. And what a coincidence – it’s a leap year AND her reluctant boyfriend is going to be at a conference in, of all places, Dublin (which reliable sources tell me is in Ireland). So she does what any desperately romantic woman with seemingly unlimited resources would do; she packs her bags and catches the first flight to the land of Harps and Guinness.

Cue the difficulties.

The flight across the pond is met with a massive storm which prevents her from flying right into Dublin (and thereby negating the need for ninety percent of the movie) and instead much trek there from distant Cardiff. With nary a TARDIS to be seen, she manages to wrangle a ride from the roguishly handsome pub owner, Declan (Matthew Goode). Of course they hate each other, but wait! He has a sensitive side… and what’s this? He can cook too! And now after a tumultuous journey, will Ana marry the successful, but bland Jeremy or will she bunk off with rough Declan?

Really, you already know how it’s going to turn out. There’s really no point in me telling you. In fact, I’d wager you know, beat for beat, exactly how this movie is going to go:

“Wow, she has some expensive shoes.”
“Oh, look. Cow poop.”
Of course, she steps in it.

But it’s not a bad thing. If you’re looking for a nice little date movie, this is it. Amy Adams is well on her way to being this decade’s Meg Ryan – which may or may not be such a bad thing.  The RomCom certainly seems to be her element and she’s pitch perfect as Anna with the right amounts of feisty, smarts, and cute.  You like her enough for you to want to pull her head out of her pantyhose to dump Jeremy and get with Declan. Matthew Goode, fresh out of his turn as Ozymandias in “Watchmen” trades in his hero armor for a nice soft sweater, a scruff beard and an Irish accent. He matches well with Adams as her put-upon chauffeur with his own hidden heartache. This confection is all swirled together by Anand Tucker (“Shopgirl”) who takes to it with a nice easy hand and leaves us with an enjoyable, smooth product with few lumps.

All in all, “Leap Year” is cheaper than buying a diamond but is a pleasant surprise that’s no surprise at all.