It's a Good Year to Leap into Love

Finding love overseas, in a country filled with romantic castles, gorgeous sights as well as accents, and some of the most sarcastic but loving people. This place would be Ireland, where a majority of my family are from. The rolling hills, beautiful coastlines, and ancient ruins are just some of the fabulous features of the country. Ireland is said to be a place like no other and it is the perfect setting for the movie Leap Year which stars Amy Adams and Matthew William Goode. Adams is the perfect redhead for the role and her costar is the gorgeous Irishman I have been looking for. The story follows the seemingly all together woman played by Amy Adams, she is successful, smart, in a relationship with a doctor, applying to live in one of the best apartment complexes in Boston; basically she is awesome. She wants her boyfriend to propose and after mistakingly thinking he bought her an engagement ring (he actually got her earrings) she decides to set off to the homeland to perform a great Irish tradition, the woman proposes to the man on leap day. 

The story continues and follows Adams as she tries to get to Dublin where her boyfriend is at for a medical conference. Many difficulties meet her on the way including horrible weather to say the least. She encounters a small town where she meets the dashing Irishman Declan played by Goode. Both characters have a back and forth banter but it turns playful as they begin to realize their attraction for one another. Eventually all the dramatics come out where there is a big fight about who she should be with, what kind of life she wants, etc. The ending is happy naturally and includes Irish slang as well which adds to the charm of the movie.

One of my issues with the movie is that two people who are very successful are portrayed to not be able to have a good relationship. One is always too busy, schedules don't match up, and I understand that there were underlying issues within the couple but a lot of movies have portrayed an "unfit" relationship like this. Two people who are very successful and have demanding jobs can still make time for each other, have passion, and have a good relationship. 

However I do like the fact that a woman is taking the initiative and proposing to the man. Not many romantic movies have the female go and try to make the grand romantic gesture. The best thing is that Adams not only makes the gesture once but twice. Also the two characters bring out different characteristics in each other. She makes him more sensitive and he opens up. He makes her stronger but at the same time allows her to lean on someone else other than herself. All in all this movie does have positive messages about love and relationships. As well as gorgeous scenery and a stunning country.