Leap Year: Embracing the Old-Fashioned Romantic Comedy

It's a leap year! If you're looking for the perfect way to celebrate this February's extra day, look no further than “Leap Year,” the 2010 romantic comedy from Anand Tucker. Starring Amy Adams in the lead role, this film invites viewers to embrace the charm of a time-tested formula.

Plot Overview

In the film, Amy Adams plays Anna, a successful real estate stager who has grown tired of waiting for her longtime boyfriend, Jeremy (Adam Scott). When Jeremy heads to Dublin for a work conference, Anna learns about the Irish tradition known as Bachelor’s Day, during which women can propose to men on Feb. 29, aka Leap Day. Taking a leap of faith (pun intended), Anna decides to fly to the Emerald Isle.

However, a storm diverts her plane to Cardiff, Wales, and she ends up in Cork, aboard a fishing boat. She enlists the help of handsome Irish innkeeper Declan O’Callaghan (Matthew Goode) to drive her to Dublin. Along the way, the duo navigates classic rom-com tropes, including sharing a bed at a Bed Breakfast, pretending to be a couple for a romantic dinner, and experiencing a drunken night of revelry. As their true feelings come to the surface, Anna must decide between her well-made plans and her growing feelings for Declan.

Critic Reception and Box Office

The film was largely panned by critics upon its release. Dennis Harvey of Variety described it as “pedestrian” and “gratingly old-fashioned.”1 Time even called it the worst film of the year.2

However, while “Citizen Kane” it’s not, “Leap Year” succeeds in offering an elevated version of Hallmark fare and a sweet, if not groundbreaking, romance. Amy Adams shines in a performance filled with heart and humor, flanked by a fun supporting cast including Kaitlin Olson and John Lithgow. Set against the backdrop of the picturesque Irish countryside, the scenery alone makes this an enjoyable watch, despite a few inaccuracies like characters walking from Dingle to Tipperary in a single day.

Modern Appeal

In a year where the 200-million box office performance of “Anyone But You” has proven that audiences are clamoring for the cheesy rom-coms of yore, “Leap Year” answers the call. This Leap Day, consider turning your brain off for just a moment and enjoying this charming, imperfect blast from the past. While it may not be a groundbreaking masterpiece, it offers a delightful and heartwarming experience for viewers who appreciate the classics.

1 Variety. (2010). Leap Year Review.

2 Time. (2010). Leap Year Review.