Leap Year

You know after viewing Spartacus both Blood & Sand and Gods of the Arena - gladiators, blood, gore, orgies, et al, then on to The Tudors, well, I needed to wind down a bit, so I happened upon Leap Year, and I'm so glad that I did. It was very entertaining, refreshing and delightful. Ireland is quite beautiful. I have to tell you, I loved this film. It was as enchanting as its main actors, beautiful and delightful Amy Adams, and sexy and surly Matthew Goode. I'd like to mention, too, that I enjoyed all the actors, including the townspeople from the various villages of Ireland. They were natural and seemed very friendly and genuine. I always check out the extras in the background to see if they are in sync with the actors and/or the script. The author and director knew what they were doing in this film. I had been following Amy Adams' career since Enchanted and find her to be a class act. She is a credit to her profession, and a shining star. I hope her light never goes out. Matthew Goode surprised me. I saw him in Brideshead Revisited and was very impressed with his performance. He is tall, kinda' lanky, beardless in that film. In Leap Year he has a beard, (a go-tee would have been sexier), and seemed to have had a few more pounds on him, which was a plus for this dude. He looked awesome. I loved his character - Declan. He was funny, rude, gruff, playful, compassionate, and sexy. He was Anna's protector. Her superman, so to speak. She was beautiful, sophisticated, classy, materialistic but somehow Declan made her see the light. They seemed good for each other. She was always in control in the states, until Ireland. I loved Amy's character, Anna. She's in 3-inch heels throughout the entire movie. I know "Louie the luggage" should have had 1 pair of sneakers or flat shoes in there somewhere, but that's make believe for ya'! I enjoyed this movie so much that I recently ordered a couple as gifts and one for me, naturally. Critics mean well and they have a job to do, but just ask us fans what we think and we'll tell you exactly what's on our minds. Everyone has a right to his/her opinion but so often the critics don't hit the mark. Thank God for cable. Leap Year was a breath of fresh air, and it had me laughing throughout the movie, plus the writer had me wondering how the ending would turn out because he manages to sidetrack us. Smart move! Bravo to the author and to the director! You won't be disappointed. I saw a movie back in 1997, with Janeane Garofalo and David O'Hara entitled, The Matchmaker, which also takes place in Ireland, and I really enjoyed it, but not as much as I enjoyed Leap Year. Leap Year was an adventure. No disrespect to the writer, but I would have changed a few things in the storyline--more affection and passion between Goode and Adams. They were a beautiful couple. Not once did Anna and Declan verbally use the words, "I love you," but they didn't have to; they said it all with their very beautiful and expressive eyes. I'd like to see those two work together again, perhaps in a suspense/thriller/action movie or even a series like a 21st century The Thin Man (remember the old flicks with William Powell and Myrna Loy back in the 30's) or another husband and wife team, Hart to Hart. Who knows? Adams and Goode seem to have chemistry but somebody was holding back a bit. Although, Also, in one of the scenes the most passionate kiss was that of the Italian couple. When Matthew Goode turns 40, I think h should be considered for James Bond. He's certainly tall, dark and handsome. He needs to bulk up a bit, tho. Nevertheless, don't knock Leap Year. There are inconsistencies and whatnot, but overall it's a wonderful film. If you want to unwind and get romantic, this is the movie for you. Adam Scott was wonderful as Jeremy and in one of his interviews he is very complimentary of Amy Adams. What a gentleman! He is so sweet--very confident and a wonderful actor. Buy the flick from Amazon.com. You'll enjoy the journey. I certainly did!

I first stumbled across this film as a Lovefilm rental but my wife and I loved it so much we immediately bought a copy so we could watch it again and again. I think we have watched it at least five times since then and we have come to appreciate it more and more with repeated viewings.The casting of Amy Adams and Matthew Goode is sublime. Amy Adams gives her greatest ever performance as initially a spoiled American woman who gradually appreciates what is important in life and comes to appreciate the virtues of her travelling companion. Matthew Goode gives a towering performance as her cynical, sarcastic and patronising bar owner and fellow traveller. My wife is Irish and claims she cannot tell he isn't. Not only does he perfectly emulate the voice but he nails the mannerisms, intonation and personality of the Irish too. Both actors give the performance of their career which helps sweep the viewer along on the journey beside them. Amy is utterly gorgeous and I found myself completely falling in love with her while watching the film.The writing and dialogue is sparkling, indeed I would go so far as to say that the writing is a work of genius. This film has made us roar with laughter on multiple occasions and later actually cry with its poignancy. If you've ever found yourself slowly falling in love with somebody you shouldn't or found yourself wrestling with unexpected emotions then you will strongly relate to this film. Ally the brilliant writing with cinematography so beautiful I don't think Ireland has ever looked better, then throw in music that is a supreme match for the moment and you don't just have a good film, you have a cinema masterpiece made with care and love by people at the top of their game. This isn't even a mere film of the year, it's the greatest Irish movie ever and one of the best films I have ever seen.Better still it achieves all this without recourse to vulgarity, foul language or the kind of gritty violence so beloved of modern film-makers. You could watch this with your partner, your 80 year old Gran or your 8 year old Daughter - we have and every single one of them has loved it. I haven't shown this film to anyone yet who hasn't loved it - it's irresistable.My wife and I have just watched it for probably the sixth time on St Patrick's night and yet again we have laughed, cringed, cried and loved every single second of it. This isn't the usual rom-con tripe - it's a movie of real quality which can be enjoyed by men and women alike. It's like falling in love with the love of your life all over again.Buy it and fall in love too,JG

J'adore ce film considéré comme "à l'eau de rose" mais qui pour moi "fait du bien" car il donne le sourire et laisse rêveur.Il se déroule en Irlande, pays que je rêve de visiter, donc ca me parle (de beaux paysages en perspective !).Les personnages et la trame sont très attachants et l'histoire plus fournie qu'il n'y parait. Je trouve que le réalisateur a évité les caricatures des films d'amour habituels.Je conseille vivement à tous pour passer une bonne soirée et le revoir quand bon vous semble.

Sehr schöner und lustiger Film.

海外でも不当に過少評価されている作品として有名のようです。主演のエイミー・アダムズも良いですが、相手役のマシュー・グッドが素敵です。彼はいろいろな役をこなせる人で、「イミテーション・ゲーム」でも「マッチ・ポイント」「シングルマン」でも印象的な演技をしているのですが、全然別人のように見えます。最近では、「ガーンジー島読書会の秘密」でも編集者としてとてもいい味を出しています。