Embrace the Season with a Heartwarming Romantic Comedy: “Leap Year”
As April draws to a close, and the first hints of summer begin to surface in many southern cities, what better way to savor the remaining days of spring than with a delightful romantic comedy?
Let me introduce you to a film that’s both amusing and heartwarming, a tale of sweet, reciprocal love that’s sure to lift your spirits.
That movie is “Leap Year.”
Now, I know what you might be thinking: the poster looks a bit generic, right? Don’t let that deter you! The story itself is far more engaging and charming than the poster suggests.
The Premise
Anna (Amy Adams) has been with her boyfriend, Jeremy (Adam Scott), for four years. In her eyes, he’s the perfect man, and she’s ready to take the next step: marriage.
However, Jeremy doesn’t seem to share her urgency. Despite numerous romantic settings that seem ripe for a proposal, the velvet box he presents always contains earrings, never a ring.
This leaves Anna feeling increasingly impatient, until she learns about an Irish tradition…
The Leap of Faith
According to legend, on February 29th of a leap year – a day that only comes around every four years – women are allowed to propose to their beloved.
Anna embraces this tradition wholeheartedly. With the date fast approaching, she decides to travel to Dublin, Ireland, to meet Jeremy and pop the question herself.
But fate, it seems, has other plans.
Despite clear skies before her flight, a sudden storm forces the plane to make an emergency landing. Even the ferries are canceled due to the weather.
Even when Anna manages to charter a private boat, the stormy seas force the captain to drop her off at the nearest small island.
Stranded on an island with no public transportation, Anna is forced to spend the night. She finds a guesthouse run by a man named Declan (Matthew Goode).
Although the guesthouse is rather run-down, Anna has no choice but to stay. Little does she know that plugging her phone charger into the socket will cause a power outage for the entire island.
Declan is less than thrilled with his unexpected guest. However, with rent due, he decides to charge Anna for a ride to the mainland.
A Journey of Mishaps and Unexpected Connections
Neither of them could have predicted the series of mishaps that would unfold during their journey.
First, Declan’s dilapidated car rolls into the water. Then, Anna’s luggage is stolen by petty thieves.
Fortunately, Declan, who knows how to handle himself, helps Anna retrieve her belongings.
Through these shared experiences, a bond begins to form between them.
Eventually, Anna manages to secure a train ticket for a departure in three hours. While waiting, Declan suggests visiting a nearby castle. Anna reluctantly agrees, but as they stand atop the castle, she begins to feel a spark of attraction towards him.
However, before she can fully process her feelings, she hears the train whistle. Rushing down the hill, Anna trips and tumbles, missing her train once again.
They are forced to find lodging at a local bed and breakfast. The landlady’s strict nature forces them to pretend to be a married couple in order to secure a room.
That evening, during a communal dinner, the other guests encourage them to kiss. Reluctantly, they play along, but as their lips meet, they experience a feeling they don’t want to break away from.
That night, they share a room and a bed, both aware of the strange emotions stirring within them, yet nothing happens.
Truth and Heart
As they continue their journey, they are caught in a hailstorm and seek refuge in a church, where they stumble upon a wedding. Learning that the priest can give Anna a ride after the ceremony, they decide to attend.
But the mishaps continue: a flying high heel hits the bride in the forehead, and spilled wine stains the wedding dress.
Amidst the chaos, they both confess their true feelings, fueled by alcohol.
However, their romantic kiss is interrupted by Anna’s drunken vomiting.
That night, Anna rests her head on Declan’s lap, and they sleep on a park bench.
They both understand what’s happening between them, but this time, the bus to Dublin has arrived.
Just as Declan is about to confess his love for Anna, Jeremy appears and proposes.
This is what Anna has always dreamed of, but at that moment, she can’t help but look in the direction Declan left.
Anna accepts her boyfriend’s proposal, but she feels lost.
She doesn’t understand the real reason for her disappointment.
Until she learns that her boyfriend proposed because he needed to apply for a luxury house.
Anna then realizes that the reason her boyfriend wanted to get married was not because he wanted to marry her, but because he felt he should get married.
Otherwise, why would her boyfriend go to the room to pack valuables as soon as he heard the alarm, instead of looking for her?
A Leap Towards True Love
Anna decides to follow her heart.
She returns to the small island to find Declan.
Anna wants to propose to Declan.
But on the cliff, Declan said that some things are better done by men.
Finally, on the cliff, listening to the waves, in the afterglow of the setting sun, Declan took out the ring…
“Leap Year” was released in 2010.
Although more than 10 years have passed, it is still interesting and touching to recall this story now.
This is the charm of a good love movie.
No matter how times change, people will generally yearn for pure love.
Otherwise, why do those classic love stories continue to circulate?
To conclude, I’ll leave you with a quote from the film:
"I want to say, may you never steal, lie or cheat.
But if you must steal, then steal away my sorrows.
And if you must lie, lie with me all the nights of my life.
And if you must cheat, then please cheat death, because I couldn’t live a day without you."